Daily Dunklin Democrat

Observations -- Frustrated with shopping

Posted Monday, May 5, 2008, at 9:23 AM
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I was more than a little frustrated this past weekend with trying to shop locally.

I had a bit of a situation arise as I was driving out of town for a business meeting. I got a call from my son describing the destruction of part of the privacy fence around my back yard.

Turns out only about 25 feet was destroyed and I wasn't going to have to replace much of it. What I ran into, however, after getting back into town and having to repair the fence on Saturday was not finding the material I needed. I examined the damage and thought I had purchased all I needed before local businesses closed at noon. As with any project I do, however, I always forget something! Consequently, I ended up making not one but two trips to Lowe's at Blytheville Arkansas to purchase the material I needed to repair my fence. With gas at $3.50 per gallon, I was not happy!

This little event reminded me that when many of us are off work and can make repairs around the house, or take care of other personal business, local offices/businesses are closed. That is frustrating! Surely, I'm not the only one who experiences that?

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Now let me get this straight. You goof up and miscalculate, not once, but numerous times, while admitting you knew the facts as to business closing hours in Kennett, you then blame said businesses for your self inflicted woes?

Seeking commiseration for problems due to one's own fault are often best left unsaid, especially in a public forum.

-- Posted by Lived There Once on Mon, May 5, 2008, at 11:42 AM

I don't see that I "blamed" anyone or any business for anything, Lived There Once. I said I was frustrated. And, yes, I goofed!

-- Posted by Jack Rollins on Mon, May 5, 2008, at 3:16 PM

Gee, "Lived There Once", are you having a bad day?

I also "lived there once" (Senath), but where I now live (Small town, TN)is no different. The only hardware store here is closed all day on Wednesday, and if I need supplies on that day, I have to drive to Lowes at Union City. Those of us, including myself, who are not professional handymen often lack the skills and foresight to purchase materials necessary to effect all planned repairs, and sometimes have to return to buy more. Frustrates me too Jack.

-- Posted by SenathDavid on Tue, May 6, 2008, at 5:42 PM

Re: Jack and SenathDavid. Preplanning applies same as in doing the job, measure twice, (or even thrice) and cut once. When it comes to expending monies and energy, I will often spend as much time, if not more so, in laying out and recording the work details and listing required materials, than that required for doing the actual work.

Picky, perhaps so, but just amazes and irks me that some people never have the time to do it correctly the first time, but always have said time to do it over again, again and again.

-- Posted by Lived There Once on Tue, May 6, 2008, at 8:20 PM

I suppose that those who have projects planned down to the last screw and washer must be greatly outnumbered by those of us who do not, and I confess a great admiration for the former. Anyway, who decides what is and is not appropriate for discussion in a public forum? Or, what is the definition of a BLOG?

-- Posted by SenathDavid on Tue, May 6, 2008, at 8:46 PM

Wow, someone didn't take their happy pill - "Lived There Once".

As fas as what is appropriate for discussion in a public forum- don't think that's your call there Sparky.

Regardless of how many times things were measured or cut or bought etc. etc. the "blogger" in this instance appears to be sharing frustrations that many of us have,- we've all been there and done that. Although, sadly, none of us can be as perfect as you.

That said, the fact that no one stays open around here except Wal-mart is a hinderance in many other areas of our shopping needs. Many of us do work, many of us odd hours. Many of us work until 5 in the afternoon and if we need supplies that Wal-mart doesn't offer we are out of luck. Would be nice if local stores stayed open just a bit longer. Maybe they could even offer free services such as a "Perfect Project Planners" to measure twice, or even thrice before expending our monies and energy, for all of us "retards" that don't get it right the first time. Need a job?

-- Posted by Unpopular on Tue, May 6, 2008, at 11:34 PM

Re: Unpopular

When one comes with a built-in innate excuse for failure, they are seldom disappointed in the outcome, for it is what they expected before they started.

-- Posted by Lived There Once on Wed, May 7, 2008, at 12:16 AM

I have the answer! This country needs to establish a "do It Yourself Wehrmacht". It could provide state-assisted training for the chore-challenged, and administer appropriate punishment for imperfect handyman performance. Punishment could range from a three-paddle spanking to beheading, depending upon the severity of the infraction. The Gruppenfuhrer should be a master do-it-yourself'er and literary critic.

-- Posted by SenathDavid on Wed, May 7, 2008, at 8:20 AM

Or, there was a time when schools actually taught shop classes where a modicum of mechanical technical skills were learned and applied.

My, imagine that, almost as revolutionary as teaching reading and writing, which in today's educational system, is also undoubtedly passé.

-- Posted by Lived There Once on Wed, May 7, 2008, at 11:03 AM

Wow! Jack, apparently you have an innate, oops sorry, a "built-in innate excuse for failure" AND you wanted to drive to Blytheville over and over again, you just didn't know it! Don't you feel better now?

Now that we've all been properly educated as to why we all fail - heck I feel better! Whew, load off my back. It's built in.

Anywho- wasn't this blog originally just about being frustrated with one's self over making mistakes (Lived there Once NEVER makes mistakes- God himself is here blogging with us! Woo-ee!) and further more, being frustrated with stores not being open when you need them? When did it become a witch hunt for less than perfect planning carpenters?

Yes, there was a time, when schools taught shop classes. It is a pity they don't. But going to a shop class doesn't make anyone perfect 100 percent of the time, except for you "Lived There Once". So, is this now turning out to be a spanking to the teachers of our community as well! You're on a roll! What's next???

*waiting anxiously*

Oh, by the way David, - hilarious. Beheading! We'd all be dead! Except you know who of course....

-- Posted by Darth on Wed, May 7, 2008, at 4:53 PM

Re: Darth

LOL, as an old curmudgeon, there are times I just enjoy stirring fecal matter a bit and watch dung beetles rise to the scent and roll the ball of crap around.

-- Posted by Lived There Once on Wed, May 7, 2008, at 10:26 PM

So "Lived There Once", we have made the transition from inept handymen to dung beetles. Sometime when I am feeling particularly mean-spirited, I may attempt to describe your behavior.

-- Posted by SenathDavid on Thu, May 8, 2008, at 9:28 AM

Hmm... interesting comments "Lived There Once". I don't know anyone who would enjoy stirring fecal matter...

Anyways, I feel quite sorry for you. A miserable person you must be.

INEPT HANDYMEN AND DUNG BEETLES OF THE WORLD UNITE!

Wow, a dung beetle... on the other hand you make for interesting conversation. But I still wouldn't want to be you.

-- Posted by Darth on Thu, May 8, 2008, at 9:34 PM

Hmm... bet you didn't think this would spark such a debate huh? =)

Anywho, I will share my own problems with local shopping. I just recently bought my first home and needed propane (something I've not dealt with before) set up for hot water, cooking, etc. I live in Holcomb and went with someone in Kennett. This company apparently doesn't want business as they work very limited hours, 9-4, with over an hour lunch break, AND they close early unannounced. I waited on this company for over a week, to make a long story short, and went with someone in Campbell who had my tank set THAT day. Shopping elsewhere in Kennett I've noticed that ALOT of places are lacking in customer service. It seems as though some companies are taking advantage of the small town, being the only place we can go locally, etc, and taking advantage of us. Would be nice to get some competition in town, bet we'd consumers be treated with a whole lot more respect.

Hours are a problem in Kennett when one works all week. The only place that is open is Walmart, who never has enough lanes open so you might as well drive somewhere else.

Sorry you had such a time fixing your fence... and sorry you're not Mr. Perfect Measuring Handyman. =)

You still rock. ;)

-- Posted by vambfly on Wed, May 14, 2008, at 9:54 AM

Been there myself vambfly, except in my situation there isnt another propane company that services my area. Buisnesses have stopped believing in the customer satisfaction and found that if it fits their priority that is fine, otherwise you will never see or hear from them. I can remember when companies stayed open to not only make the "almighty buck" but would also help you if you needed it, wether it be loading something in your vehicle or finding something in the store. Now days to have service in a store you hope that another customer knows where things are and what parts are called. Maybe stores need to pay us to shop with them, they might begin to see our(customers) point of veiw and correct the problems.

-- Posted by mommyof4 on Thu, May 15, 2008, at 1:23 PM