Shopper Review - Epson Ink

My printer is currently out of ink. It's been that way for about a week because I can't really justify getting all new cartridges. One, maybe, sure. Two, I'd have to really think about it but I'd probably take the hit eventually. I have four: Black, Cyan, Yellow, and Magenta. They all ran out at the same time which is a bit like stopping at a gas station to refill your tank and then realizing that you need an oil change, new tires and that your car was stolen.

It's an Epson printer, which means that those ink cartridges are lying. It's not enough that I have to buy ink in thimble sized containers, apparently I have to refill them when they're only half empty too. All four cartridges will run me $56.01 if I buy online. Which is half the total value of the printer. I'm not really sure why plastic and ink costs so much when isn't that all pens are? If I ever paid $56 bucks for a pen I'd expect it to come after the meal with the check. I guess I don't object to Epson trying to make a quick buck or fifty it's more that they're so unoriginal about it. It'd be different if the printer just spontaneously combusted or got stigmata or something.

Shopper Review - Puma Roma

I'll tell you the least of what I expect from a company: Feigned Compassion. I guess I'd prefer at the very minimum that they refrain from outwardly teasing or insulting people, anyway.

Here's the situation: I find shoes to be one of the more difficult items to shop for because I don't want really flashy, I don't want really expensive, and I don't want to buy shoes for a sport I don't play. No tennis shoes, no basketball hightops, no sk8r kicks. Plain sneakers. 'Course these days you pay a premium for a pair of canvas Converse, so about four or so years ago I found out about Puma Romas. Plain, nice, about $60. They last me about two years a pair. I'm on my third pair at this point. I had really finally settled on some shoes I could use until I became a committed adult and had to start buying Timberland boat shoes (no disrespect, Timberland is on my Nice list).

Earlier this week I was reading a copy of The Economist, like I sometimes do when I think there may be some intellectual hotties around who can give me advice on measuring principle based on global economic factors. And they had an article about a group of people. Now, full disclosure: I thought that the name "Roma" was just a douchy way to say "Rome" and was supposed to reflect upper-crust European roots. Turns out (even if the shoe wasn't named after them) the shoe shares its name with a characteristically poor, group of present-day, nomadic people who live across Europe.

So why's it automatically tasteless to name a shoe "Roma?"
The Economist June 21st-27th
"A vast bonfire of copper cables fills the air with fumes as insulating material is burnt off. A ragged shoeless workforce of all ages sorts the inventory by hand."

"[Roma] are reluctant to send their young children [to school], as they don't have the money to buy them shoes."

The article mentions how the Roma live in small crowded, mud-floored rooms, and how very few of them have any official documentation of their birth or any record of them even being alive. But even these things are only mentioned once. No shoes? Twice. Good job, Puma. I hope you're using the $180 I've given you so far to slingshot babies into a pile of hungry kittens.

Shopper Review - Buffalo Wild Wings

Tuesday night is wing night at Buffalo Wild Wings, my friends. It has been an on-again-off-again ritual for me for several years now and I must say, my ledger has thanked me for it... or would, if I kept a ledger or even knew what one was (RIP Heath). Here's the rub, however, I used to spend 25¢ a wing. These days I pay 40¢. Up until now I'd taken every step a normal American would when faced with yet another company that wants to screw them. I closed my eyes, gritted my teeth, clutched the dingy walls of the bathroom stall I was ushered into and bent over and took it. A testament, most likely, to our fortitude as a people.
Anyway, mostly I had been convinced that I was suffering this financial burden unjustly and that my 15¢ was just lining the pockets of the corporate big shots. A quick look at BWW's investor relations page really turned things around for me. Here is a company with a broader perspective, intensely interested in fighting hunger, starting right here at home. Of course, hunger in Africa is so played, and really daunting too. Some think-on-their feet executives decided they'd target hunger in the US, starting with "Night Hunger." While the press release didn't detail a plan to give any food away to the "poor hungry", those with money can choose from a broad new array of products starting after 9pm and occasionally win prizes.

Shopper Review - Cadbury Schweppes

You know when you were growing up how you idolized Santa, then when you got older you found out he was a puppy hating racist? It's a bit like how I felt when I did some probing into Cadbury Schweppes (parent company of Dr. Pepper, 7UP, etc.). Apparently, a 2006 report which grades soda companies on their efforts to support recycling programs gave the company a solid F. Not even a gentleman's F like I used to make throughout high school either. On a 4.0 scale, Scweppes got a .1. Showed up for the first couple days of class then about a week later punched the teacher in the tit and walked out. Anyway, the whole thing leaves a really sour taste in my mouth, which history has proven can only be removed by drinking a cold, refreshing Dr. Pepper. I guess I couldn't get too upset with the guys though, they're trying to do some good and make it up to us. Plus, racist or not, I'll still take the presents.