‘Americans have been addicted to “cheap” and very much expecting champaign(sic) taste on a beer pocketbook. Our highly over-borrowed society has done that.’
You are so right. We are spoiled - and rotten, I might add.
Look at the complaints about Best Buy (I agree) - more “big box” stores; i.e., “warehouse” stores. There is no good service in those places.
You get what you pay for - cheap means no service. But it seems Americans are FIRST addicted to “cheap” - Southwest (has anyone really compared the costs? Are food/baggage fees good because you don’t pay if you don’t want it whereas SW just plain doesn’t offer it? I’ve never known anyone to love them except here on FR), BestBuy, Wal-Mart, CostCo, Home Despot. They seem to care nothing except “I got it cheaper there” - even when they’re treated like criminals with “assistants” checking over your bags.
I love and use the Home Depot, Costco, Best Buy etc., when I know exactly what I want and I am ONLY looking at price. I don’t expect any good advice there and I don’t expect any follow-on service either. Same with CVS versus my local long-time druggist.
When service, support and advice is what I need, I support my local retailers, even though I pay a little more.