Febuary 1, 2007

Lillysmommy- I admit, it was hard at first, knowing that X was to be in danger everday. However, I realized that I needed to trust that I raised him right, cherish every moment, and have faith in his judgement. I'm sorry to hear about your nightmares. Is she your first? I remember how much worrying X's mother and I did when he was a baby. Everything he went through scared the hell of of us, and we took precautions like crazy. When Y came around, we trusted ourselves more, and it was easier to take things in stride.

Speaking of Y, he gave me quite the surprise today. I came home from my second meeting, as the third was prosponed, only to find him and X arging and trying to unload a large box from X's SUV. It didn't take a psychic to figure out what was in it. I was a little annoyed. Sure it's his house(he bought it from me when I was about to sell it, as he didn't want to part with his childhood home), but you can't just up and buy a washing machine just like that. You have to look at different ones, go to various stores, and try to get the best deal. He probably paid to much for it.

They saw me as soon as I got out of the car, looking like they did when they were kids and I had caught them scratching my car, or doing something to ruin their mother's garden.

Quickly, Y explained that he did the numbers(did I mention that he was a math professor?) and that in the long run, getting a new machine would be cheaper.

"The older that machine gets, the more it'll have to be repaired" he said at one point "And the model I bought uses less water"

"How much did you pay for it? Did you go to more than one store?" I asked him. How could anyone do proper price comparison in one day?

"I looked at various models online"

"Some stores have better prices or selection than others" I told him.

"I did look at different stores, dad. All that information is online" He argued. Yeah, that was true. Call me old fashioned, but I still felt that going in person was better.

"You can't haggle with a computer, Y." I reminded him.

"At least not yet" he joked.

"Y did lots of research, Dad." X stuck up for his brother.

"Did you two even try to haggle with a salesperson?"

"Why if I found the lowest price?" Y asked.

"You could have gotten an even better deal!" I tried to explain. "Say that you found a great price from store A on the internet. With good haggling skills you could see a salesperson in store B to get an even better deal. And what if the prices online are outdated?"

Y started to get annoyed and gave me his trademark sour face.

X, always the peacemaker, tried to calm him. "Dad just wants you to to get the most for your money, buddy"

"Price wasn't the only factor I was looking at" Y added coolly. "I also wanted a model that was water and energy efficient. Anyway, X and I have to install it."

I sighed. "God forbid you should hire someone!"

"It's a cinch Dad" X insisted. He liked to think of himself of the fix it man.

I rolled my eyes, and went back into the house, leaving those to to their devices. Anyway, Millie was coming over, and I needed to make the house look nice, and figure out what to cook her. As I picked Y's papers, books, pencils, and other junk from the living room, I realized with a groan that X and Y would not be finished with installing the washing machine by the time she got home.

And I was right.

"What are X and Y doing?" Millie asked me as she took off her coat and we kissed.

"Y bought a new washing machine" I explained.

"I thought you guys were gonna have the old one repaired?" she looked puzzled.

"So did I" I said with a deadpan.

She chuckled, and we had dinner

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hkim

LOL! You remind me of my parents. They also think that it's better to buy large purchases in person. Once I bought a large ticket item online, and the two scolded me for not 'shopping around' eventhough I did.

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anitablakessexslave

Who wants to haggle? It sucks and most people aren't good at it. I don't blame Y for going the online comparison shopping route.

However, I do think that they should have gotten someone professional to install the thing. A friend of mine tried to install a washing machine by himself and ended up flooding the basement. Boy! Was he in the doghouse with his wife.

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FParkes

I agree that there are some things are are better bought in person. Personally, I prefer to go to the book store to buy books. I like to scan through it, and see what else there is. My wife doesn't like to buy clothes online As for big ticket items, all the ones my wife and I have were bought way before the coming of the internet hehe. I remember us having to go to lots of stores and to haggle like crazy.

I'm with anitassexslave! I hope your son is current on his home insurance!

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gothpunk666

I prefer, like Y, to go the online route. A while back, I bought myself a coffin online for a good price. I would not have wanted to be hassled by annoying salespeople while trying to decide. I ended up getting a simple, black one, which I put in my living room to sleep in. It's done wonders for my insomnia!

TBC