The local stores

I want to support the local stores. I really do.

I understand that my neighborhood would suck if there were only chain stores, or no stores.

But why can't the local stores behave like businesses instead of like someone's weird hobby?

I ordered a captain's bed from a local store on Dec 17. They said it would be ready in five days. OK, I know there were holidays. But I didn't get it until Jan. 3, and that was after they promised to deliver Dec. 31 and Jan. 2 but didn't.

I ordered business cards and postcards from the local copy shop. The sign in the window clearly says, "NEXT DAY BUSINESS CARDS." I ordered these business cards Dec. 21. They're still not ready.

I brought a TV into a local store that allegedly fixes TVs. (I know, I know, why even go down that road in this day and age??? I get what I deserve.) I brought it in Dec. 28. I stopped in a week later. They couldn't even tell me if they were going to be able to repair it, no less what it would cost.

I went on the Web site for my local bookstore - now granted this was a few months ago, but still. It clearly said that you could email them a list of books you wanted, they would order the books and tell you when they arrived. I emailed my list. No one ever called. Two weeks later, I called them. Oh, they said, they no longer do that. It hadn't worked out, and they didn't have time to take the offer down from the Web site.

Ladies and gentlemen, these are the things that drive me to order stuff from Amazon. Really, can you blame me? I love my local stores, I want to support them, but they don't really seem to want my business.