Basically Speaking...

Amazing Amazon...

If you wonder why online shopping has become the behemoth that it is, just try shopping for a basic anything in our brick-and-mortar stores.

Last week we two grandmas of our brand-new grand baby ran around town trying to fulfill a simple request: "Please find some plain t-shirts like the one he wore home from the hospital." That was the easiest, best fitting garment for everyone concerned.

Target, Walmart, TJ Maxx, Marshall's, the Gap. We had no luck. There were fancy onesies up the wazoo but no soft, plain white t-shirts. The Gap at least had simple onesies, but even at 40% off a wardrobe of them would be a pretty penny. My fellow grandma was smart enough to suggest looking in the supermarket. Sure enough, the baby food aisle did have packs of plain white onesies by Gerber— in size 6 months only.

I love shopping, but this was exhausting— and frustrating.

It's not just baby clothes. Try to find: a half slip; a full slip, two-piece pajama sets, a real terrycloth robe, bras without wires, white ankle socks, a plain belt, a solid color scarf... the list goes on. And don't get me started on everything else I can't find, including Dole Raisins and Profoot Heel Rescue Foot Cream. But they are all online. And Amazon would seem to have everything.

Cheaper... free shipping (mostly)... fast.

True, you can't gauge quality online, but I've been 99% satisfied and online customer service is far more empathetic than its non-existent counterpart in stores.

If you can dream it you can find it online. And if you can't, well, build it and they will come.

At Walmart.com but not at Walmart