Australians made to pay for the fitting

In some brick and mortar stores Australia, selling goods for skiing, operates a new rule: "no free fitting. Visitors wishing to find suitable ski boots are invited to pay a "voluntary-compulsory" contribution of $ 50. After payment at the store the money returned to the buyer. Such a wonderful service - a consequence of the growing popularity of distance selling. Typically, online stores offer lower prices, but do not allow to get acquainted with the goods until payment. As a result, consumers are sent to off-line stores to test the product, but then gave the money to sellers on the Internet. Off-line retailers, transformed into a kind of show-rooms and changing rooms remain empty. In the Australian ski shops assure that introduction of a "fitting fee" - a necessary evil, which should discourage dishonest users (those who use the services of off-line merchants, not wanting to make a purchase). Eric Henry, Executive Director of the Snowsports Industry of Australia, explains - the high cost of services ($ 50) due to the large amount of time that is spent on the selection of a suitable pair of ski boots. Shop assistant off-line store may spend up to 2 hours per client. Charging fees for the fitting, the store owner pays for the labor of their employees even in the absence of sales, reports ZippyCart.