While most of us can undoubtedly still imagine a world without the internet, the group of those who haven't experienced it will only continue to grow. That's not a bad thing in itself. But how did it all work again? And what are the advantages and disadvantages of both? In the 1990s, the internet entered living rooms, not via smartphones of course, but via personal computers, often equipped with a real cathode ray tube (CRT). Online stores only gradually came online after the 1990s. This meant that if you needed something, you went to the store.
Door-to-door services, such as the coalman and milkman, had essentially disappeared decades ago by the 1990s. Stores were open on weekdays, Saturdays, and some evenings. Sunday opening only emerged as a "response" to online stores in the 2000s.
So, going to the store wasn't always possible. And it was also a good idea to make a shopping list beforehand, so you didn't forget something and have to go back and forth again.
You could find all sorts of things in the store, but you were essentially at the mercy of the shopkeeper's selection. And while you might think the internet makes a huge difference in that respect, you still need to know what you're looking for. Often because you've seen it before. Because if you don't know what to look for, you'll never find it online.
Handy for those who does not have a klick with the internet.
The store is and remains handy. Not just for people who does not have a klick with the internet. The store can give you ideas, show you things you haven't heard of before.
And introduce you to brands you've never heard of before. What many people appreciate most is that things can be seen directly in stores, not just from a picture, and can be taken home immediately after purchase.
And of course, the store employees are always ready to offer advice and assistance, a chat, and a listening ear.
It's great to always be available.
The most well-known advantage of online stores is, of course, that they are accessible anytime, anywhere. Even in the middle of the night or from other time zones. But also if you're not so mobile. While we used to be lucky enough to have a model shop around the corner, wich most times doesn't excist anymore, the internet is a real godsend for today's young people, for example, those without a driver's license, and other people with limited mobility!
Another major advantage is that, combined with other production techniques, an online store is able to seek out real niches. Because those who don't need huge buildings for storage and display can offer a much wider variety of products by incurring lower costs.
While not as direct as a store employee, you can ask anything via email, but with a photo attached, the question is generally easy to ask, resulting in a very comprehensive and insightful answer.
And at Markenburg, with "pickup by appointment" or "at the trade fair," you can even take advantage of the opportunity to ask questions or exchange ideas in person.
The best of both worlds.
Markenburg strives to offer the best of both worlds. The online store with the right operational management that allows us to fully offer the niche we thrive in and that we can make many people around the world happy with. While simultaneously striving to make a good (first) impression in-store.
And for those who wish, you can not only purchase the main products directly, but with a little assistance from the store employees if desired, you can order the entire Markenburg range on-site.
In that sense, we now have an addition at Makina in Waalwijk (the Netherlands) by also showing, with moving images, what the model builder can expect from Markenburg. You can find Makina at Laageinde 93a in the town Waalwijk.
There's a good chance you're reading this article online,
but if you're interested in the images/video's, below are some links to the relevant Markenburg pages.
Find here: Markenburg showcases
With the Markenburg, look at: Traversers. At the bottom of the article, the video is added.
Find here: Markenburg building descriptions
In particular: Luke Towan's video building description of how he built Oranjelaan 9-13.
