Category Archives: consumer

Turning Off

Posted in consumer, musings, myself on by

I’ve been analyzing and stressing over my budget this week (as opposed to all the other weeks?) and have come up with a way to save a little money. Just a very little, I’m sure, but right now my “expenses” are already fairly pared down. I ask myself, what more can I do? So, I’ve decided to turn off my computer. From Sunday morning until I get home from work Monday night, the computer will be off. Usually during that time, while I’m awake, I’m checking my email hourly or looking up stuff on IMDb. But starting today, no more!

The reward should be two-fold. One, I should use just a wee less electricity each month. Two, I should find something else to do with my time. Don’t get me wrong, I will still be watching a lot of movies – that’s what I do – but I will hopefully fill some of the void with more writing, more reading of books, more listening to music. More thinking, really.

It’s like kicking away one’s crutches, but I think I’ll be fine.

Bailout Misdirected

Posted in consumer, politics, rant on by

I’m sure I’m not the first to say this, but that $700 billion is going to the wrong people. What really should happen is that money should be going to the taxpayers in the form of a rebate. $3000 (probably more) to every individual who paid taxes in 2008. Some people would go on spending sprees, injecting this sad retail climate. The rest would be a little more pragmatic, doing what? Making a mortgage payment, depositing it in a bank account. All in all, it would boost consumer confidence, helping to correct the market scenario in a more “natural” way.

SIFF Day 7: Home Alone

Posted in cinema, consumer, seattle, silliness on by

Right now I should be at the Uptown watching Werner Herzog’s Encounters at the End of the World, a documentary shot in Antarctica. However, I’ve decided to stay home to be sad and cranky. My Netflix Player was delivered today, left on the doorstep of my office, according to the online tracking results. When I went to my office, however, it was not to be found. I’ve called FedEx twice and just got off the phone with Roku/Netflix customer service – who said I’m not the first to call about such circumstances – but that won’t make my Player magically appear in my living room. I am sad sad sad and mad mad mad. Poop.

American Apparel in China

Posted in consumer, fashion, pop culture on by

Literally.

I read today in the menswear trade magazine, DNR,  that American Apparel is headed to China. They will soon open three stores selling their mostly knitwear collection which will be made where all their stuff is made, Downtown Los Angeles. That’s right, soon they will see a “made in U.S.A.” label in Shanghai. CEO Dov Charney may look (and act) like a porn mogul, but you gotta hand it to a guy that bucks the trend of global outsourcing.

Advice Regarding Tickets to the Showbox

Posted in consumer, music, pop culture, rant, seattle on by

It’s been awhile since I’ve been to the Showbox (at the Market), and I’ve yet to go to the new Showbox Sodo. In fact, it might have been for the Decemberists show in October 2005. I don’t like the Showbox (at the Market).

A few weeks ago, though, I signed up for their mailing list, realizing that I’m probably missing out on some musical acts that I would gladly put up with my dislike of the Showbox (at the Market) in order to see. A couple days ago, I got an email announcing a special pre-sale for the band X’s reunion tour at the end of March. In that moment, I decided that I must buy my ticket then and there, so as to guarantee my attendance at the show. I am a bad judge of a musical act’s popularity so I must assume the shows will sell out.

But let me get to the advice. Unless it is virtually guaranteed the show will sell out, or if you are in another state or continent when the ticket sale goes on, DO NOT buy your tickets to the Showbox (either location) online. Always, always go to the box office at the Market location and buy your tickets. I remember thinking it was highway robbery and false advertising that the Showbox adds a $2 service charge when you buy your advance tickets at their box office. But that is nothing compared to the continued rape by Ticketmaster.  You’d think they would have learned their lesson, but it seems that after all the hubbub over the years, they have actually raised their fees.

I bought one $25 ticket and paid almost $40 total.  How? Ticket price $25 plus “convenience charge” of $8.25 (should not be more than the $2.50 round trip bus ticket I would have paid to get to the box office) plus “order processing charge” of $5.36 (they must use monkeys and abaci) plus $0.42 tax. Tax on what is unclear, as is the rate of the tax. It’s not Seattle sales tax on any of the charges.

I went ahead and bought the ticket because I want to be sure that I go see X for once in my life. And I know how I am – I will be able to come up with all sorts of things to do that will prevent me from going to the box office. And by the time I do get there, the show will be sold out. But never again, I say! Always, always buy your tickets at the box office! If you ever hear me say again that I bought a Showbox ticket online, you have my permission to punch me in the stomach.