So do people really go Xmas shopping on the high street

[merrycompo]

These last 2 weekends before Xmas?
Don't you all do it online?
Why is the high street still so crammed ? It baffles me

I would hardly call Bluewater the high street, unless you are counting out of town places. I don't enjoy going to them in December, and avoid going these days. I'm going to the theatre in London on Wed evening, I expect it will be hell in the West end, we are going there and back by coach thank goodness.

We are still waiting for an Amazon book order to be delivered, one drawback of internet shopping. Our town centre was pleasantly buzzing this morning although I wasn't buying presents, just usual meat and fruit from butcher and greengrocer. Tingletangle is right about supporting local shops, we have lots of independent shops as well as chains. And for me, it's about being recognised as a regular customer and having a quick chat.

I went to Milton Keynes in Nov, first to Ikea and then on to the Centre. It has gone downhill, the market is dire, and I can get most of anything I want more locally. Expensive parking too, I can walk to my local town centre and take my trolley for heavy things. I would say most of my Christmas shopping has been bought less than 7 miles away this year.

Well, I was in Oxford Street today, got there at 11.00am which wasn't bad - also know all the back routes through the shops and the little streets, so don't actually spend much time on the street itself, and the shops were fine - busy but didn't have to queue too much.

However, by the time I was leaving - 3.00pm, it was heaving at the tube station, and packed with people coming out of the tube - now, arriving in Oxford Street in the middle of a Saturday afternoon is pure madness!

And I feel sorry for all the little ones there, it must be very daunting for them, and a bit boring, but I am lucky that I could go off on my own, as dh and dd visiting grandma.

Now need to finish off online.

I'm proud to say I've never bought anything online. I don't understand why people do. I wouldn't be able to decide whether I wanted to buy something or not unless I saw it in the flesh. I don't think a small picture on the computer gives you a good enough idea of scale/quality/how it works/how it fits/feels etc. Plus shopping on the high street is a good excuse to get out of the house, get fresh air and exercise and I really enjoy it. My city centre is usually very, busy especially at Christmas, that's a good thing.

I also don't buy from self-service/automatic tills - people are loosing jobs remember.

I'm doing less online this year because of all the bad weather and the huge disruption to the postal service.

That might be making high streets busier.

I buy online because it's cheaper and I'm up for redundancy so this year I've had to go for the best deals
I wasn't saying bluewater was the high street, I was saying I couldn't face going there at this time of year

i am envisioning a last minute mn rush to sittingbourne, for a nice cup of tea and a quiet afternoon perusing the shops. i love mn.

I'll give you a free cup of tea if you visit me!

and thank you kangeroo for saying lovely things about my shop

and i spelled kangaroo wrong.

ah, sittingbourne
now i remember why i moved up north

Nickelbabe - I just Googled "Children's Bookshop Sittingbourne". I guess you are "Nickel Books"?

We have an independent bookshop up the road, but the guy who runs it is so rude, so consistently that I have stopped using him.

although i am sure your bookshop has improved the high street enormously - hope it's a good xmas period for you

okay, I have decided.

this'll make you all out yourselves.

Anyone who comes in my shop and mentions that they're a MNer will get a cup of tea and 10% discount. (not on the bogof or sale items because they're already discounted, or Book Tokens because that'll cost me money)
This offer does not have an expiry date.

Yes you don't get rude guys on amazon
or carparking charges and tempting starbucks coffees
that's why it's more economical online

BikeRunSki that's right!
and that's the problem quite often with indies - especially long-established ones - they don't realise that friendliness goes a long way.

aww, merrycompo i'll send you a teabag if you buy from my website (or email me)

this isn't an advert, i promise....

aw go on post your web address

i don't have to - do what BikeRunSki did and google it.

(i'm not allowed to advertise myself)

hehe

nickelbooks

she does t'internet orders too, I believe?

merrycompo Actually Bluewater wasn't too bad today, even with husband and two children in tow. I am feeling very because it was a last minute decision to go there today and have now finished my shopping. [smug]

oh. that 10% offer doesn't apply to the website, cos you get free postage (but mainly because I don't know how to apply it...)

we went to bluewater last sunday, because nothing here opens on a sunday, and it was a nightmare! no parking and sooo busy.
but we went to Las senza and got pyjamas and the Lego shop for a present for sants to deliver to us.
(yes, i have no children! )

Is BlueWater a huge shopping mall?

Amazon has been recipent of most of our Christmas spend. That said, DH is going to City Centre next Thurs with DS2yo to look at Lego Technic sets (for DS11). It's hard to get a feel for what they are like just from pictures on Amazon, he needs a more hands-on look at the kit and boxes.

Can't buy all pressies that far in advance because DC change their minds about what they want all the time.

It is indeed a huge shopping mall. There are lots of expensive shops there but there are also lots of average ones too.

Ha ha, nickel. I shall be in claiming my cuppa next time I'm down visiting db, dsil and family.