Is it just us.....

We have done our fair share of stimulating the economy lately. TV, console, swing set, vehicle. That is a lot of stimulation. Now, here comes the kickers.

It seems like forever that we would buy things by the price, not quality. After all, most things are now termed "disposable", Things like lawn mowers, vacuums, and even refrigerators, washers, and dryers. So it was not surprising that there would be missing pieces, instructions incorrect, and just overall poor quality. They say you get what you pay for.

We have finally decided that we would try to buy quality to make it last longer. Makes sense to the smart man. After years of having to fix or deal with missing parts, broken pieces, poor instructions we have traded up on things.

So, lets start with our first big purchase, a new TV and console to sit it on. We paid $1200 for the two. When dear hubby got it home, the console was cracked on the bottom. The dang thing weighs about 150 lbs. He didn't want to take it back, besides he says it is on the bottom in the back you can't see it. He calls the company and they send us $50.

After about a week, the TV starts to turn green. Yes, green lava all over the picture. Wonderful!! So he calls this company, they talk him through some setup things. Seems to work, painless, lasts about 3 hours. Then back to green. Calls them the next day, they say return it. Sam's Club was very nice, didn't question it and exchanged. That was our fastest trip in that store ever.

On to the swing set. The box said it takes 2 people, 4 - 6 hours. It is pre-drilled, all parts included. Well, they are nuts! I wonder who they timed in the setup of the swing set. It took 6 people (at assorted times) over 12 hours and it still isn't all together. The instructions were crap. It would give you the list of what was needed for a page. 10 - 2 x 29 1/2 boards. The proceed to tell you to take the 13 - 2 x 31 1/2 boards and nail them in. There were not 13 of any board, much less boards of that size. They would flip pictures around and it was terrible. Some of the boards weren't pre-drilled either.

But Papa, G-Pa, Uncle Zack, Uncle Jake, Uncle Andy, and Aunt Shell finally got it together enough that at least Gavin can swing and slide. Thank Auntie & Uncles for helping.

The new vehicle, knock on wood, hasn't been a problem yet. But, then we have only had it for 3 days.

Is it just us? Are we the only ones that it happens to? No matter what we get, there is something wrong. At least I am not my sister, who had all the restaurant problems!