Distance Shopping is Not Fun—Returns are Stressful

You know how you appreciate something once you can’t have it? I want to say—loudly—that I appreciate my local retailers right now!

During quarantine I have shopped online at Macy’s, Nordstrom, Pottery Barn, Cabi and many more. But it’s not the same. I miss the smell of Nordstrom. I miss people watching. I miss wandering in and out of shops and cafes. But the one thing I miss most is the ease of shopping for what I need, taking it home, and then-- if I change my mind-- making a simple in-store return. During COVID-19 I have needed gifts for birthdays, Mother’s Day and other special occasions. I started shopping online two months early for items I knew I would need, but because I couldn’t touch and see purchases before I brought them home, I have returned 80% of the items. I hate returning items following online shopping. In fact, I hate the entire online experience. First, it takes forever to receive a purchase. Then, when you order more than one item per store, they alert you that your purchases are coming in multiple shipments. Suddenly I’m receiving a zillion different packages spread over two or three weeks from one order. One day I get a lipstick, the next a free gift that comes with that lipstick purchase. The day after that I receive a pair of socks—the list just keeps going on and on.

My husband is certain my shopping is out of control. Each time a new package arrives I explain, “no, really it isn’t much, it just looks like a lot.” He looks at me with his smirky smile, raises one eyebrow, and gives me his go-to answer: “Okay Hon.” I know what he really means: “Hon, do you think you might have a little problem here?” By the time I finally receive the entire order it is almost past the date required to get it wrapped and ready and back in the mail. And I have lost two packages so far because I sent them UPS when I was supposed to use USPS. I create so much anxiety each time I shop online.

Of course, shopping in person is no picnic these days either. One day, I decided to mask up and shop for gifts at Home Depot, Target, and Trader Joes. I waited 35 minutes to enter Trader Joes. There was all this hubbub outside to stand six feet apart, but once in, people were reaching all around me and touching my clothing to get what they wanted. I will not do that again. Target got the clean carts and dirty carts mixed up and Home Depot was discouraging returns until after COVID-19 crisis ends. Anyone who knows me, knows I am going to lose those purchases before they ever make it back to the store if I must wait for two months.

At this point everyone on my gift list is going to get a bottle of champagne from Total Wines & More and a plant from the floral department at Safeway. I have had my best experiences in these two stores. Further, I am pausing all home décor projects. I am going to practice patience and wait for my favorite stores to open and hopefully we will not have to wait in long lines to shop.

I hope new normal comes soon. I will sure appreciate a packed Peet’s Coffee, a loud restaurant filled with laughter, and a walk in the park without a hot mask.