so i'm down at the gate, removing the wreath, and re-installing the newly repaired and painted big wooden chile.  have to put the cordless drill down for a moment, not a problem, it has a flat bottom on the battery, and the gate has a flat spot on top.  boom.  "you, stay".

 

it did not stay.  it took a header 5 feet down and into the somewhat frozen mud.  and snapped itself in two.  uh oh.  well, still works, but it's going to need a replacement.  already have another B&D cordless drill, as well as 2 chargers and 3 batteries, so i'd like to keep the family going, and not wander off and get another brand.

 

go to homey depot:  don't carry B&D.  ok, fine, Lowes next.  strike two.

 

this is looking grim.

 

Ah Ha!  Amazon to the rescue!  find one similar enough, order placed, and now we wait 2 weeks.  good thing i have the other drill/driver in the meantime.

 

kinda liked that drill, but it looks like they don't make that model anymore.  grrrrr......

Did you try duct tape?

Try PVC cement.

You might try the thrift stores in your area, I found a cordless drill that was the same model I use, so it can happen.

new one was $40.  moving on with life, old one in the trash.

Unless I need something TODAY, it's rare that I don't source from Amazon.  At least in this area, HD/Lws/Ace are significantly more expensive than Amazon offerings.  There is an extra bonus with Amz that many products will be delivered within a day or two, but Phoenix has something like 7 Amz warehouses, one of which is about 5 miles from our house.  Hard to beat.  And it's also hard to take less than an hour to go to a retail store, hike the aisles, find the car, etc. 

     And if shopping Amz, I try to remember to check out the "recondition" offerings:  significant savings for good-as-new products, usually just packaging blemishes.

Pete, that's exactly where we are at...go to the 'zon first. I don't have the warehouses close by, but it's unlikely I'll find whatever I'm after locally. If I do find it, it's because I searched 5 different stores with the associated mileage and it's always at the last place. I know a lot of folks bemoan this preferring to support local and keep the small guys in business, I agree with that when I can find what I need.....but far to often I can't .

I don't find Amazon pricing to be all that exceptional but, the convenience is great. It's worth the extra few nickles, IMO. I'M 30-40 minutes from the BORG or the BBRG. The time and gas savings alone, is significant. 

I still check Ebay.  Sometimes items are significantly cheaper.  You usually don't get the quick shipping, but Amzn is slipping in that area too. I ordered a small item on Amzn and it said delivery 1/8.  Then I got an update that said ETA 2/3.

 

On 1/9/2022 at 10:06 AM, JimM said:

I still check Ebay.  Sometimes items are significantly cheaper.  You usually don't get the quick shipping, but Amzn is slipping in that area too. I ordered a small item on Amzn and it said delivery 1/8.  Then I got an update that said ETA 2/3.

 

Guess I'm old school too. I buy from the bay more and more especially when I can plan ahead. I find most prices to be comparable or less than the zon. Wife has the Amazon account.

 

I do keep running lists on my phone in Note Pad for items needed in the future when I make a trip 1-2/mo to "big city". I rarely shop at Lowes...occasionally at Home Depot, mostly at Menards. Also catch H-F and Rural King if needed on those trips. County seat has a small footprint Home Depot and new regional brand farm supply store. Also has a very good ACE store + family owned Do-it-Best lumber yard. Quality material if you have gold to spare.

yesterday afternoon:  3 loud beeps.....wtf?  where did they come from?  didn't repeat, couldn't figure it out...until 4am this morning, when it happened again.  ah ha!  the CO monitor in the BR.  grrr.....unplug, pull battery, read label on back:  3 beeps=malfunction, get a new alarm.  ugh.

 

that's today's planned Lowes run.  can i get the class anything else while i'm out?  some pre-bent lumber, rusty and bent nails, mis-matched paint, anyone, anyone?

4 minutes ago, DAB said:

yesterday afternoon:  3 loud beeps.....wtf?  where did they come from?  didn't repeat, couldn't figure it out...until 4am this morning, when it happened again.  ah ha!  the CO monitor in the BR.  grrr.....unplug, pull battery, read label on back:  3 beeps=malfunction, get a new alarm.  ugh.

 

that's today's planned Lowes run.  can i get the class anything else while i'm out?  some pre-bent lumber, rusty and bent nails, mis-matched paint, anyone, anyone?

Dozen fresh chocolate covered glazed donuts.  Get yourself some too if you want.

2 hours ago, DAB said:

rusty and bent nails, mis-matched paint,

Observations from my time at the BORG

-the unofficial tool rental program - buy the tool, use it as needed, then return it.

-beware mis-matched paint.  People will refill the can with water, old oil etc. and return the "paint" for a refund.

-Buy a vanity in a box.  I don't know how that faucet got in the box!

-Or two large garbage cans stacked, with a $100 saw blade between them.

The cashiers have the worst job!

new CO monitor installed, and now random beeps every so often....arrgh....

 

5 hours ago, DAB said:

new CO monitor installed, and now random beeps every so often....arrgh....

 

They have the donuts?

Only Danishes. A Danish is a donut without the hole. 
 

the repaired and repainted chili

17 minutes ago, DAB said:

Only Danishes. A Danish is a donut without the hole. 
my luck as per usual...yeah not really a donut without the hole...no way to dunk it.

the repaired and repainted chili

Looks mighty nice Dab. Compliments that red clay.

That chili is mighty fine, DAB. It does look a bit...well... chilly, though.