King Of Cheap
I like cheap stuff. And so, with that in mind, the search was on for a vacuum cleaner. Our latest one just died. It lasted almost a year and I hated to see an old friend go. It was a banana yellow behemoth, a reconditioned unit purchased from Big Lots, my favorite outlet of cheap merchandise. I was proud of the purchase, on a weekend sale with a coupon clipped from the newspaper and further discounted because it was an opened package. While it lasted it was an amazing sucker, able to pick up a bowling ball or the living room rug. Unfortunately it had a few design flaws that rendered it unusable to my wife, or at least that was her story. It clogged every five minutes. And the removable cup, boasting to save the cost of disposable bags, basically was not removable except for the assistance of a steak knife and hammer. Also, the rollers sometimes would not roll. But, at least it was cheap.
This unit was found at the same discount store, where the clerks know me by name, and bought on the spot. I liked the packaging, and the price was right. Unfortunately, it too has a few problems. Notice the strange, looping handle? It scares my dog who seems to think it to be a canine noose. It clogs every five minutes and the removable cup does not remove. This thing has a neat-looking, disposable filter. The problem, which I now realize, is that the filters will be impossible to find. This morning I was vacuuming because my wife won’t touch the thing. She stared as it refused to pick up a piece of paper. I told her that, at least, it was cheap.
How do you like this watch? I made a diligent search and was proud to find just what I liked at the local Walgreens, at an amazing price. It was thin and lightweight, and just for good measure I went to Target and added a great watchband. For $8! I proudly showed it to my wife. She seemed less than impressed. She used the “c” word. When I told her I was disappointed with her opinion, she gave it a second look. “Well, maybe the watch is o.k. The band is what makes it look so, uhh… thrifty.”
*Yes, I drive a Chevy Aveo. It is not a Cadillac.
*I get my books from amazon.com, and my glasses from Sam’s Club.
*My clothes come from a rack, not the local haberdashery. Sometimes they come from Sam’s Club, which doesn’t have a dressing room. You try them on at home, and bring them back if they do not fit!
*I eat at McDonald’s. Usually I manage to take home some napkins and a few packets of ketchup.
*I go to old movies at the dollar theatre. They recently raised the price of a ticket to $1.99, and I am threatening to go elsewhere.
Proudly, I am the King Of Cheap. It is emblazoned upon my thin, irregular t-shirt with iron-on lettering.
09.29.08 (10:07 am) [
edit]
posted by:
OldSchool (
reply)
post date:
09.29.08 (7:35 am)
I have the opposite view. I believe you get what you pay for.
I have realized it is better to pay a little more upfront for a quality item which will usually last longer. It usually makes financial sense over time. (If you have to buy a new vacuum every year, you could have spent twice as much for a vac that lasted 2 years).
I like to have confidence that what I purchase will last, so I often find myself spending a little extra to assure that happens.
I think 'cheap' people are often into being that way more for the challenge. They might think they will find that one deal out there that makes it all worthwhile. It is the challenge of the hunt more than the prize itself.
I, on the other hand, will stick with the belief that there really aren't that many 'deals' out there and also stick with my mantra that (more often than not) you get what you pay for.
Have a great week PD!
posted by:
surrogate (
reply)
post date:
09.29.08 (8:21 am)
I tend to look at things the same way, my excuse being that I too won't last all that long either, so why leave a bunch of perfectly good, if ten or fifteen years out of date stuff for my kids to decide they don't want but still have to find good homes for? I want them to be able to do with my stuff what they do with me, which is to toss me, or burn me or whatever, and yet remember fondly that when I was around and working just fine? -I could suck up bowling balls - despite the difficulties they had in changing my filters...
posted by:
LadyG (
reply)
post date:
09.29.08 (8:50 am)
LOL PD, great post, I love a bargain to but I think that you have me beat in that area.
posted by:
intricategirl (
reply)
post date:
09.29.08 (10:22 am)
I'm somewhere in the middle. I buy cheap when it's not going to make a difference. For example, I can't tell the difference between Ritz crackers and the store-brand. But on other things, I do not want to skimp. I have a Dyson vacuum, and it's the easiest, most reliable vacuum I've ever owned, and it never clogs. I'm happy to pay for the added convenience, because I'll have it for many years to come.
I like to think that I'm the queen of finding a good bargain. But I get those bargains so I can splurge a little bit on some other things that I really want.
posted by:
rosietulips (
reply)
post date:
09.29.08 (10:30 am)
Bargains are great!
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
09.29.08 (10:31 am)
Reply to: kurtmaddox
Warren Buffet? That reminds me of Sharon Stone. I notice in the Wikipedia article that she is an ordained minister of the Universal Life Church. Perhaps you and she should team up and do something? Ministry, I mean.
posted by:
bawdy (
reply)
post date:
09.29.08 (10:35 am)
Another good post. I like your subtle humour. Do you cut your own hair and wash and reuse straws as well?
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
09.29.08 (11:02 am)
Reply to: kurtmaddox
Well, yeah! He and Sharon are both celebrities, of course for vastly different reasons. I was surprised to find she is supposedly a devout Buddhist and an ordained minister of your church. Since you live in close proximity, I was thinking it would be beneficial for the two of you to get together. Just a thought. And if it works out, tell your wife there is no need to thank me.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
09.29.08 (11:03 am)
Reply to: bawdy
Wash and reuse straws? For years I've done that with toothpicks. Straws- an excellent idea.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
09.29.08 (11:04 am)
Reply to: rosietulips
Yep, bargains are great. Did I tell you I have ATT Broadband for $10/month?
posted by:
(
reply)
post date:
09.29.08 (11:26 am)
Reply to: PastorDave
ewwww, you wash and reuse toothpicks? come on PD that's gross!! :p
posted by:
rosietulips (
reply)
post date:
09.29.08 (2:09 pm)
How do you get broadband for $10/month!??
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
09.29.08 (2:48 pm)
Reply to: rosietulips
When BellSouth was bought out by ATT, the latter agreed to offer $10 DSL to consumers in many major markets. However, they have not been required to advertise such. It is a dirty little secret. I searched for it and found it. Since I already have ATT phone service, they must allow me to have the $10 DSL. I do not know if this is available where you live, but it is worth checking.
posted by:
EasyButNotCheap (
reply)
post date:
09.29.08 (3:49 pm)
you really do need to get a decent vacuum. they aren't THAT expensive and then you'd have some help from the wife with the housework. or was that a picture of her above pushing the vaccum cleaner? and the watch is great. i could read it without glasses. is that why you got it cause it has big numbers?
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
09.29.08 (6:29 pm)
Reply to: EasyButNotCheap
No, that's not my wife! My granddaughter.
I sold Kirby vacuum cleaners, for a week. Now that's a good vacuum. If I had a couple thousand dollars to spare, I'd get one. An ElectroLux would be nice. Until I can get one of those, I guess I'll stick with what I can find at Big Lots.
posted by:
beaverteeth (
reply)
post date:
09.29.08 (7:14 pm)
I had a kirby, but I lost it in the divorce! [A generation 5 that I bought in the 90's.] The ex called me the other day and ask if I knew where she could get bags. The darn thing is still working.I have a Bissel powerforce .You will like the deal I got on this one. A navy friend from J'ville ask me to take it off his hands when he was relocated to Guam and he threw in a microwave to sweeten the deal. now that is what you call cheap.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
09.29.08 (8:02 pm)
Reply to: beaverteeth
She got the Kirby, and you got the bags. She must have had a better lawyer.
posted by:
beaverteeth (
reply)
post date:
09.29.08 (11:24 pm)
No she got the bags too. But since she used them I guess she assumes that I should replace them.
posted by:
auntconi (
reply)
post date:
09.29.08 (11:39 pm)
Reply to: PastorDave
Thrifty, PD, it is called 'thrifty' ~ and it is something to be very proud of ~ well I am anyway!!!
*I've got the same ATT broadband service ~ see, 'thrifty' ~ don't you just love it?
posted by:
spook102956 (
reply)
post date:
10.02.08 (5:46 am)
I'll let you have your title but I'm the Queen of Cheap! Went to a garage sale down the street from my house, at a church mind you, and the person taking my money was obviously a man wearing a wig, bright red fingernails, and in women's clothes. That was quite a shock! This happened last wkend. I did not notice the check out person until I got right up to his/her table. I wish I'd noticed at a distance before I was right in front of this person. But this is another story. It was just shocking--to see this at the church down my street. When I told my husband he said, "I told you not to go to garage sales!"
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
10.02.08 (6:22 am)
Reply to: spook102956
Alright. You caught me. When I saw you walk up to purchase three stuffed animals and a chipped coffee cup, I was hoping you would not notice. Please understand.... it is simply something I do for a change of pace, to relieve the tension. You do understand?
posted by:
FinalyFree (
reply)
post date:
10.02.08 (1:21 pm)
I absolutely LOVE finding a bargain. Here locally there are several 'junk stores'--some sell household and sundry items others sell everything. The only drawback for me is I am not a scavenger--one of the above mentioned stores scares me because everything is just strewn about. My daughter finds some cool stuff there, I just can't make myself dig through the mess, lol.
I once heard from a vaccum salesman, "Nothing sucks like Electrolux!" heh.
posted by:
spook102956 (
reply)
post date:
10.02.08 (6:21 pm)
No, it couldn't have been you. I don't live in Alabama. I guess there are more of "those kind" of people than I thought.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
10.02.08 (7:44 pm)
Reply to: spook102956
Just for the record, I live in Atlanta!
I have a friend (that's right, I do have at least one friend!) whose sister makes and fits custom wigs. She has stumbled upon a booming business with transvestites! She says I would be surprised at the everyday lifestyles and jobs of these people, that she even has a minister who likes to dress in drag every now and then! It's a strange world.
posted by:
spook102956 (
reply)
post date:
10.04.08 (7:23 pm)
Oh sorry! I almost said or Georgia but then I thought, "No, it's Alabama." Sorry.
posted by:
spook102956 (
reply)
post date:
10.04.08 (7:25 pm)
I've been through both Alabama and Georgia but don't live in either.
This unit was found at the same discount store, where the clerks know me by name, and bought on the spot. I liked the packaging, and the price was right. Unfortunately, it too has a few problems. Notice the strange, looping handle? It scares my dog who seems to think it to be a canine noose. It clogs every five minutes and the removable cup does not remove. This thing has a neat-looking, disposable filter. The problem, which I now realize, is that the filters will be impossible to find. This morning I was vacuuming because my wife won’t touch the thing. She stared as it refused to pick up a piece of paper. I told her that, at least, it was cheap.
How do you like this watch? I made a diligent search and was proud to find just what I liked at the local Walgreens, at an amazing price. It was thin and lightweight, and just for good measure I went to Target and added a great watchband. For $8! I proudly showed it to my wife. She seemed less than impressed. She used the “c” word. When I told her I was disappointed with her opinion, she gave it a second look. “Well, maybe the watch is o.k. The band is what makes it look so, uhh… thrifty.”
