Cost of Living #6

[Anyanka Bunny Slayer]

My third DVD player in a year has broken. DVD players are cheap nowadays, about $35-40, but I wish they weren't so... cheap.

I highly recommend Sony. My DVD player has lasted five years so far. Is yours a Daewoo by any chance? 😋

 

[Stake fodder]

I highly recommend Sony. My DVD player has lasted five years so far. Is yours a Daewoo by any chance? 😋

The first two were Sylvania, which I knew were cheap from the start, but I liked the remote. The most recent was a Sony, which lasted about two months. I just got another Sony (even though I still hate the remote), because that was the only kind Best Buy had. I didn't want to buy another off Amazon, when I had a terrible time getting them to refund when one Sylvania broke past the 30-day return limit. I hope this one lasts!

 

[Anyanka Bunny Slayer]

The first two were Sylvania, which I knew were cheap from the start, but I liked the remote. The most recent was a Sony, which lasted about two months. I just got another Sony (even though I still hate the remote), because that was the only kind Best Buy had. I didn't want to buy another off Amazon, when I had a terrible time getting them to refund when one Sylvania broke past the 30-day return limit. I hope this one lasts!

Are you cleaning the heads on a regular basis? Do you keep your DVDs in good shape, or do you play Frisbee with them on occasion? 😄

I'm here to help. 😋

 

[NotASlayer]

Is the 30 day return limit a 30 day guarantee? Because if the product is only guaranteed to last for 30 days... well, you are definitely getting what you are paying for!

If they come with one year guarantees, I would not care much if they only lasted a few months if I could get an endless supply of free replacements.

 

[NotASlayer]

@Stake fodder I don;t think here you can get anything electronic/electric with a less than one year guarantee (which does mean things breaking in the 13th month happens!).

 

[Kendar]

Is the 30 day return limit a 30 day guarantee? Because if the product is only guaranteed to last for 30 days... well, you are definitely getting what you are paying for!

If they come with one year guarantees, I would not care much if they only lasted a few months if I could get an endless supply of free replacements.

The 30 day return policy is an Amazon policy for most electronics. After 30 days you would need to reach out to the manufacturer directly.

However, Sylvania tends to have only a 90 day warranty on their dvd players.

I tend to buy bigger electronics and appliances from Costco. They automatically extend the manufacturers warranty to 2 years, and their extended warranties are much cheaper than anyone else's.

 

[Moptop]

I really hate buying things on-line sight unseen, especially clothes and shoes cause I usually end up having to return them cause they either don't fit or there's some kind of flaw in them. And on those items that are returned, I believe they put them back on the shelf and just keep sending it out hoping the next customer keeps it.

Now a days, with any major appliance or electronic item, it's best to take out the extended warranty as they are not built to last any length of time. Most washers, dryers, fridges, dishwashers, only have a life expectancy of 3 to 5 years! That's it! There's no more 20 year appliances anymore. I've heard it time and time again from customers, " my mom had a blah blah blah that lasted 20 years, and when she was done with it she gave it to me and I used if or another 5 years". Customers would always ask me which brand was the best and last the longest? I will just tell them the truth and say " NONE OF THEM!" They are all made the same way, none of the last. And buying the most expensive one does mean your getting a better unit as they are all use the same insides. Only the cosmetics are different. You're paying for whistles and bells and not better quality.

 

[nightshade]

My airfryer broke 2 days after the 30 days guarantee and I managed to exchange it at the store. I called ahead before taking it in and they were fine about it.

 

[Stake fodder]

@Stake fodder I don;t think here you can get anything electronic/electric with a less than one year guarantee (which does mean things breaking in the 13th month happens!).

The most recent player (Sony) had a one-year warranty, but you have to return it to the manufacturer, hardly worth the bother and expense. Plus, I lost the receipt, so can't prove when I bought it, though I know it was only a couple months ago. Since Best Buy only has the one brand for a plain DVD player, my plan is to package up the old one and return that one with my new receipt.😉

Not sure what the warranty was for the previous Sylvania, but as I said, I was able to get Amazon to refund the money, even though the specific seller refused to. I should say, Amazon gave me a gift e-card, not exactly a refund, but that was fine.

For anyone else dealing with Amazon, they do actually have a customer service phone number, and I recommend calling, though you may have to insist on talking to a supervisor.

@Moptop I definitely agree they don't make things like they used to! I just had to replace a $5 box fan I bought 35 years ago. I bet the new $27 one won't last a third that long.

 

[NotASlayer]

The most recent player (Sony) had a one-year warranty, but you have to return it to the manufacturer, hardly worth the bother and expense. Plus, I lost the receipt, so can't prove when I bought it, though I know it was only a couple months ago. Since Best Buy only has the one brand for a plain DVD player, my plan is to package up the old one and return that one with my new receipt.😉

There is a definite advantage in getting stuff from physical stores still, even if Amazon is convenient; it is a lot easier to take things back! I think at least some of our stores will honour the one year manufacturer's warranty and my own experience - well, my own experience on behalf of a friend! She seems to return a lot of stuff! - is that many manufacturers will cover the shipping costs; you either drop it off at a collection point or they even send one of the parcel companies to collect it. Sometimes it can be a pain getting in contact with an actual human being, admittedly.

 

[Kendar]

Yeah, old stuff was built to last. My grandmother had one of these fridges, and it is still in use (one of my Aunts has it).

 

[November]

Just got my car rego. This year has flown by! Cant believe it is July. So I will go pay that at the post office next week. I guess that means a service isnt far off for my car too. I knew I had too much money in my bank account!

Im so glad I stocked up with as many clothes as I could from the op shop before they shut it down. They cleared out the entire building! People are pissed that the mens shed did that. They cant expect the women to be the only ones who volunteered for it. It seems to have to do with the old farmers wanting to show what happens when their sheep industry is threatened. I saw a ute sticker the other day saying to take a stand now or expect food shortages later. Its all very threatening.

I duno which way its all going to go. There has been a huge influx of millennials to the area lately. It seems I was ahead of the tide to move here, but now change feels too late for me. I duno. Its all very confusing.

 

[November]

@Joan the Vampire Slayer how is the grocery delivery working out? Hopefully its useful if your car is still gone 🙁

I have found Im better off to stick with two deliveries a week. When I go do a stock up from aldi and cancel one it really mucks me up! I need things to stay consistent to keep my brains in place.

I did a HUGE aldi shop last night, so I hope I dont have to go for a while and that the bulk curries I do with all that veg work out well. I stupidly put the lamb in the freezer last night so its defrosting in the fridge now and once its ready I will start the bulk cooking and hope I have enough containers! If not, I know the post office sells some.

Got the premade bag of potato bake, but I had some last night and I dont really like it. My home made one is much nicer. They didnt have cauli cheese so I got broccoli cheese instead.

I have started up the fire today. Of course, the winter I dont actually need it, its been a dream to run. I have stockpiled a lot of garden tree clippings that are very dry. Most people just burn off in their gardens but Im not confident enough to light a fire in the yard and hope its ok hah. I have too many overhanging trees that I like to keep for summer time! So the fire place can burn off all these little sticks and bits for me instead.

 

[Joan the Vampire Slayer]

@Joan the Vampire Slayer how is the grocery delivery working out? Hopefully its useful if your car is still gone 🙁

Walmart delivery is a godsend! I get my groceries and other household items delivered every Monday. And yes unfortunately my truck is still gone. I still hold out hope it will be found. A generous friend has given me a loan, and I’m now looking for a used car. I absolutely need a car in the area I live in and to do the work I do. Not having one for several weeks has put me way behind. The used car market is insane now though. Everyone is asking way more than what it’s worth.

 

[nightshade]

I've been thinking about Christmas we're over half way through the year now, so need to figure out how much I can save for it.

 

[nightshade]

I'm definitely going to ask around at the pubs for any evening work, I need more work and I'm not getting the hours at my current job. There's not any full time jobs going, so getting a second job seems to be the only way, if only temporarily so I can build some savings up.

 

[Joan the Vampire Slayer]

I'm definitely going to ask around at the pubs for any evening work…

Oh, you want to work at a pub ? That’s what I do! Well, one of my jobs…I have to work two jobs and have a side hustle to make ends meet.

And the jobs I can find that I have experience in pay so low it’s criminal.

They wanted to hire me at the performing arts center as a manager for $10/hr. I have five years of experience and a degree in the field.

Its really tough out there.

 

[NotASlayer]

Shopping, gas and electricity are the biggest problems. Gas and electricity are supposed to be coming down, thanks to a price cap, but groceries won't be. Prices not rising as fast does not help with how much they currently cost.

 

[Joan the Vampire Slayer]

Shopping, gas and electricity are the biggest problems. Gas and electricity are supposed to be coming down, thanks to a price cap, but groceries won't be. Prices not rising as fast does not help with how much they currently cost.

Yeah, my gas bill, followed by my electric are definitely my highest utility bills.

I get most of my groceries now from Walmart, which is definitely the least expensive, though it is pretty wild what they’re charging for some items. Like; I’m not going to pay $3 for an 🥑 , you know? I also go to the Supermercado, they have good prices on spices, some produce and canned goods.

 

[November]

I should pull back on my grocery spending because I have been spending the most on food. Its my only recreation! But otherwise all is well here. Got a nice lot of savings now too. I repainted the rust spots in my car yesterday, in the hope the body lasts just a few years longer. The engine should be fine, its not hit 300,000kms yet.