[JonShartwell]

The only difference between a manufacturer’s online store and a retailer’s from customer point of view is that the retailer sells multiple brands. I guess maybe there’s some value if you want to browse different brands, but if you already know what you want then the middleman is not providing you any benefit at all over the manufacturer’s online store.

Brick and mortar is different because they’re actually maintaining a space to show the items and bringing them close to you which is a benefit to the buyer.

[rahimnathwani]

"Brick and mortar is different"

Not in the ways you describe:

"because they’re actually maintaining a space to show the items"

This is similar to Amazon's site browse/search experience.

"and bringing them close to you"

This is similar to Amazon's fulfilment network.

[JonShartwell]

It’s a common experience to order something from a website and have its appearance be different from your expectations based on the photos and description. If you can see the appearance of the item you’re buying before buying that problem is impossible

[rahimnathwani]

I'm old enough to remember when most things I bought were bought in a physical store. I'd choose based on price, appearance and (for things like electronics) a textual description.

Today, I'll choose after reading several 2/3/4 star reviews for each of several alternatives.

This has resulted in a far lower rate of surprises and disappointments.