Changes Since My Childhood: Shopping Habits

A visit from my sister-in-law brought this thought into focus. Today we focus on appliances and how we purchase them now versus my childhood.

Back in the day, when you wanted an appliance, large or small, you went to the appliance store. I grew up in Xenia, Ohio and that meant Eichman's. You went to the store between 9-5 Monday through Saturday and picked out what you wanted from their limited inventory, but you could guarantee that they would have at least two models of everything.

It's been different the past few years with all the stores that got into the act and started offering everything under the sun. The small hometown appliance dealers went the way of percolating coffee pots and stoves with deep wells and outlets built into the top surface.

Now, guess what? There are relatively few places to go to buy a decent appliance or find any selection. Try to find a freezer (as my sister-in-law is doing.) You might find one chest freezer and one upright if you're lucky! Some of the 'appliance' sellers don't even carry them. Now, in this economy don't you think that MORE people would want to be buying in bulk and freezing? Or perhaps they would be gardening and freezing for use this winter to save on the food bill?

It just goes to show that the old ways may not have been that bad. After all, finding a store in Springfield that sells large appliances is now down to five and only four of those carry freezers. If Sears folds, you can scratch another off the list. And Best Buy carries so little you might as well just write it off too. That leaves Carmichaels, Lowes, and Home Depot.

Carmichaels is the only TRUE appliance store because that's ALL they sell. So, after fifty five years we're back to square one.

So much for progress...