Given where I live and all, I do nearly100% of my Christmas shopping online, have for years now and I have no complaints. I haven't been to a shopping mall in several years, I think the last time was when mass bass held their show in a mall. And I went to the show and not the mall. This year I found myself off island on other business with some free time and went to a large mall. It felt kinda weird. First, the traffic approaching the mall was insane and it probably took me 30 minutes longer to get to the place due to the traffic. So I get to the lot and it is packed after driving around for 5 min I see a lady leaving and zip into her spot. I walk up to the mall and go in and find the mega store I was looking for and went looking for a specific item I know they should have. I see several on the shelf but not exactly the model I needed. I go the the sales guy and tell him my delima. He has a glazed over look to him. I wanted to show him the item on the shelf but he wouldn't walk do the isle with me and took out a catalog. Look he said, you can order exactly what you want online!
Yeah I said, but I am here now....Sorry, you can order this online.
I drove back home and ordered it (thru another vendor). No tax and free shipping. I doubt you see me go thru that hassle again anytime soon. The retail build up that has gone on is so insane I think it is due to implode on itself.