Why not Walmart? Rant alert.

12-09-2009, 07:48 PM

Bought a Xikar hygrometer online $20. Unless my kitchen has temp fluctuations of 1 to 199 degrees, I figured it was a bad unit. Turns out the battery had corroded inside. Possibly the fault of damp storage??? Perhaps. Can't send it back to the online retailer, because their warranty ends at the curb. I shipped it back first class to Xikar weeks ago and haven't heard boo from them. I'm sure at some point they'll come through. But I still need a unit right???

I wanted a unit ASAP, because I had time to transfer a humidor, and my local Radio Shack doesn't sell them. So I paid $6 for the Wallyworld unit. It's off by 9 precent, but it has been constant.

I just bought a humidor with a Don Salvatore hygrometer. Although not new, the hyrgometer doesn't work either and they don't warranty anything.

We pay more for name brands, hoping the quality and service might be better. I find more and more that this is not the case. I buy as much as I can from Craigslist and local thrift shops. Older firearms, eBay, etc. My 9 foot artificial Christmas tree cost me $2.37. I actually hung the receipt as an ornament last year. Even though the box said Frame retardent, I figured it was worth a shot

Unless it falls and breaks my flat screen (floor model-not new) TV, I can't imagine that tree ever disappointing me.

My $600 Rubbermaid shed cost me $65 on Craiglist.
All of my PCs are refurbs.
I bought a brand new 1999 Subaru - after weeks of arguing with the dealer, Subaru of America forced them to take it back and replace the vehicle. It had been damaged on their lot and they never disclosed it. The new one they gave me: I had to replace the CV axles twice, head gasket and transmission all before 70,000. After that, it ran great until I sold it at 135,000. Fortunately, I dealed out a Gold warranty, so it was $50 each time they had to repair it.

I honestly can't rembember the last item I bought brand new that I was satisfied with. At first, my wife would say, "we have bad luck." Its not true. I notice EVERYTHING. Like Monk. It's almost a curse. How did I know the Subaru was damaged? The bumper was an 1/8" lower on one side. As I looked closer, the mystery unraveled, including the window molding that had been repalced, etc.

By buying used, knowing if the item has fualts, and paying less, I find I'm rarely disappointed in a product's performance.

Ok...I'm done.

12-09-2009, 07:48 PM	#1
Joseywales Guest Posts: n/a	Why not Walmart? Rant alert. Bought a Xikar hygrometer online $20. Unless my kitchen has temp fluctuations of 1 to 199 degrees, I figured it was a bad unit. Turns out the battery had corroded inside. Possibly the fault of damp storage??? Perhaps. Can't send it back to the online retailer, because their warranty ends at the curb. I shipped it back first class to Xikar weeks ago and haven't heard boo from them. I'm sure at some point they'll come through. But I still need a unit right??? I wanted a unit ASAP, because I had time to transfer a humidor, and my local Radio Shack doesn't sell them. So I paid $6 for the Wallyworld unit. It's off by 9 precent, but it has been constant. I just bought a humidor with a Don Salvatore hygrometer. Although not new, the hyrgometer doesn't work either and they don't warranty anything. We pay more for name brands, hoping the quality and service might be better. I find more and more that this is not the case. I buy as much as I can from Craigslist and local thrift shops. Older firearms, eBay, etc. My 9 foot artificial Christmas tree cost me $2.37. I actually hung the receipt as an ornament last year. Even though the box said Frame retardent, I figured it was worth a shot Unless it falls and breaks my flat screen (floor model-not new) TV, I can't imagine that tree ever disappointing me. My $600 Rubbermaid shed cost me $65 on Craiglist. All of my PCs are refurbs. I bought a brand new 1999 Subaru - after weeks of arguing with the dealer, Subaru of America forced them to take it back and replace the vehicle. It had been damaged on their lot and they never disclosed it. The new one they gave me: I had to replace the CV axles twice, head gasket and transmission all before 70,000. After that, it ran great until I sold it at 135,000. Fortunately, I dealed out a Gold warranty, so it was $50 each time they had to repair it. I honestly can't rembember the last item I bought brand new that I was satisfied with. At first, my wife would say, "we have bad luck." Its not true. I notice EVERYTHING. Like Monk. It's almost a curse. How did I know the Subaru was damaged? The bumper was an 1/8" lower on one side. As I looked closer, the mystery unraveled, including the window molding that had been repalced, etc. By buying used, knowing if the item has fualts, and paying less, I find I'm rarely disappointed in a product's performance. Ok...I'm done.