a shop without goods on shelves: can you ever imagie a shop selling goods without having shelves for displaying its wares? yes. argos is one of such shops here. just enter the shop. you will have newspaper stand like things. people are leaning over telephone directory type voluminous books. they are browsing the pages to find items of their interest. they will find the merchandise items with all necessary descriptions like size, weight, colour, features, etc. each product is code numbered. even prices are mentioned against them. but you should not be sure about their availabilit or their current prices. you can key in the product number and you will get immediate display if the item is available with the shop. and then check the current price. you should not be surprised if the item is on that date is available on discounted price. if you like, you may reserve the item and get a token number for future reference of the order. if you have a credit card or debit card (forget your cheque book), please move over to another corner and just key in your token number, insert your credit/debit card and pay the price. immediately you get a cash receipt for your payment and also the details of delivery counter number and the delivery waiting number. inspite of rush, you are assured to be served within five minutes. and lo, your turn is being announced over mike. you walk over to the counter and collect your buy. isn't it good and new experience?

suppose you do not wish to go to the shop. still you can buy the goods of your choice. just browse the website of the shop, see the product, compare the price of the product with those of other online shopkeepers, and reserve the product. you will get online order reference number. if you wish you can make online payment and instruct the shopkeeper to send the goods to your place. you may just have to pay for the service. unless you stay nearby and the goods are light weight, you would like to pay for the service. normally you can get credit from your credit card company/bank to make a purchase. yet, the shopkeeper is also willing to accept payment in instalments provided you hold the card issued by it to its valued customers.