Shopping in the new world
When I was very young, we lived under the economic umbrella of the general store. Not that different from one seen in any of the various Green Gable movies and television productions. Also not too surprising, as we were within buggy distance of Avonlea, if such a community had existed and if we’d had a buggy. My grandfather had one, but my father had opted for the more modern pickup truck that was well-suited to clay roads. Where was I? Oh yes, shopping.
You see, if the store didn’t have it, you could always order from Eatons, or make a trip to town if you were particularly determined. Where you could go to Eatons. Variety was everything in the 1950’s on the Island. I’m aware there were many other stores, but I was only a preschooler in a young family, so we didn’t gallivant from store to store the way other more experienced shoppers might.
In contrast, I’ve just completed a couple of transactions on the web this weekend. Micropurchases, under twenty dollars each, and with a dollar that is close to par I feel rather wealthy. Both choices were made after careful comparison shopping, so that my bidding was made in the best of conditions: articles that were in low demand and at a low price point. I was even able to arrange shipping that would avoid the hungry UPS beast.
Payment by electronic transfer was as easy as paying cash. I must give credit to the Paypal people, who have a well-oiled machine. When we contrast this sort of commerce with a trip to the mall, it makes sense. No traffic, or parking pressure, or shoulder checks from harried mall marauders. Home, with my shoes off, one small part of a global marketplace.
Now, the general store would probably have carried the equivalent items (if they had been invented back then), and I could have run a line of credit, but I think we have a rational replacement.
