Auntie Grace records programs from Japanese stations with her VCR for mom since we don't have cable. The VCR does not last long at all! My cousin, Arnold keeps replacing her VCR every few months and we do the same for mom. It's aggravating that the machines break down so quickly.
The reason Arnold and I keep doing this is not just for the sharing of programs, but because it keeps the connection between the sisters active since we have to make the weekly trip to Auntie's house to get a new batch of video tapes. We also bring over vegetables for her and she shares her garden with us. We also deliver things back and forth to their other sister, Aunt Dorothy. When we lived on the mainland, my cousin, Charlotte used to be the delivery service, but since she's passed away we've taken over the job.
There are wonderful side benefits to this, especially since Auntie Grace gave us a bunch of her amazingly delicious sushi rolls for dinner tonight and lunch for tomorrow. And then Auntie Dorothy gave us some mochi desserts. Yumm!
OK... I digressed again.
I was really going to talk about the VCR. They are hard to come by these days because it's old technology. We were going to buy another Toshiba from Don Quijote, but I wondered if that was such a good idea since both of the Toshibas broke in less than year. It had a 3 month warranty.
I looked online with my iPhone and found that Target had them for $99.99. However, when we got there we saw that it was $114.99. I spoke to a salesperson and he said the online price and store price was often different. I told him the price was listed at $99.99 and stated it could be bought online or in store. I didn't see until we got home that there is that little fine print that says online price.
Whatever the case, guess what? The customer service representative gave me the online price anyway when I went to ask about the price discrepancy.
Apparently, they do sometimes give you that online price adjustment. Isn't that great?
I'm feeling mighty good about Target now. I guess I'll go back to them when this one breaks.
By the way, I've taken L...w's advice from her comments. I got a little notebook and I'm starting to list all the warranties, when they expire, cost, where we bought it, when it breaks, etc. I left one full page for the VCR since I know this one will break within the year too.
Sigh...
The reason Arnold and I keep doing this is not just for the sharing of programs, but because it keeps the connection between the sisters active since we have to make the weekly trip to Auntie's house to get a new batch of video tapes. We also bring over vegetables for her and she shares her garden with us. We also deliver things back and forth to their other sister, Aunt Dorothy. When we lived on the mainland, my cousin, Charlotte used to be the delivery service, but since she's passed away we've taken over the job.
There are wonderful side benefits to this, especially since Auntie Grace gave us a bunch of her amazingly delicious sushi rolls for dinner tonight and lunch for tomorrow. And then Auntie Dorothy gave us some mochi desserts. Yumm!
OK... I digressed again.
I was really going to talk about the VCR. They are hard to come by these days because it's old technology. We were going to buy another Toshiba from Don Quijote, but I wondered if that was such a good idea since both of the Toshibas broke in less than year. It had a 3 month warranty.
I looked online with my iPhone and found that Target had them for $99.99. However, when we got there we saw that it was $114.99. I spoke to a salesperson and he said the online price and store price was often different. I told him the price was listed at $99.99 and stated it could be bought online or in store. I didn't see until we got home that there is that little fine print that says online price.
Whatever the case, guess what? The customer service representative gave me the online price anyway when I went to ask about the price discrepancy.
Apparently, they do sometimes give you that online price adjustment. Isn't that great?
I'm feeling mighty good about Target now. I guess I'll go back to them when this one breaks.
By the way, I've taken L...w's advice from her comments. I got a little notebook and I'm starting to list all the warranties, when they expire, cost, where we bought it, when it breaks, etc. I left one full page for the VCR since I know this one will break within the year too.
Sigh...
I have a VCR in my closet, we never hooked it up again after we moved. I do have a DVD player, but I haven't hooked that one up in a year, since I'm now streaming most everything. Technology changes so fast!
ReplyDeleteThey still sell VCRs?
ReplyDeleteToo funny! As a matter of fact, when we were at Walmart last year looking for the VCR, the young associate fellow did not know what we were talking about. Seriously.
DeleteI'm 25 and I used one for years and years. I guess the 16 year olds now might of never heard of it.
DeleteThe warranty book is a great idea! However, I'm pretty sure I'd misplace it after I had all the information written down :-)
ReplyDeleteKay
ReplyDeleteI used to be replacing VCR's regularly too, when I lived in Florida next to the water. I'm sure it was due to the salt air and it rusted everyting that was metal. The dishwasher and clothes washer suffered too from the salt. I still use one of those small ones for playing my DVD dance tapes. But they seem to last forever here, in the dry mountain air.
It is nice to know that target is a reasonable store.
That is good news about Target, and it is nice to hear about all that you do for your mom's benefit.
ReplyDeleteWe have a 3 ring binder that has all the warrantees, lists all our Credit Cards, lists all our bank accounts,....that sort of thing. :)
ReplyDeleteIt might be cheaper to get all the sisters a recorder that puts everything on DVD. At the thrift store, we no longer sell tapes. Here at the house we don't have any taps now. And they say the DVD's are old technology and are being replaced. Or is there some way the sisters can get streaming video? Just thinking out loud.
They don't have that NHK Japanese station on streaming, I'm afraid. My cousin tried to teach auntie how to use a DVD recorder, but she was resistant and afraid of the new technology. Sigh...
Deleteyou are so organized...I'm lucky to put my manuals in one place and remember...
ReplyDeleteMy b-i-l has two VCR's stacked under his television and he records more stuff than any person could be interested in. He has a life time supply of blank tapes and a library of a thousand or more recordings. I doubt he knows how to index or catalog them. When he's gone his heirs and assigns will just come in with garbage bags and a dumpster.
ReplyDeletePerhaps new technology? What does Art say?
ReplyDeleteAloha :-)
Art says we need to find a way to move them toward using rewritable DVDs. I know my cousin tried, but his mom just couldn't stand learning a new technology.
DeleteKay, I can't remember the last time I had a VCR, I didn't know they still made them! I have a DVD player and cable. Just a thought all the $$ you spent on new VCR's maybe you could get cable for the same price. Just a thought because I don't know how much cable is in Hawaii. Glad you have nice visits with your Aunt though. I guess if you got cable you wouldn't be visiting your Aunt as often. Have a great day!
ReplyDeletelol...I'm glad you are keeping track of expiring dates of warranties because that helps alot. Also, don't forget to check that list at least once every year and mark your calendar :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, I write on my list if there is an automatic 1 yr extended warranty with the credit card issuer. VISA honored the warranty extension on my Triumph phone since there was a problem with the battery and Motorola no longer manufactured OEM. (They paid everything related to my claim including local diagnosis fees and postage.) I later found aftermarket batteries on Amazon, so I am able to still use the phone which I hope will last during on our trip. I think pretty much all credit card issuers have the same benefit at no cost. You must pay the entire cost of the item with cc (no gift cards used with the purchase). I try hard to remember this everytime I make an appliance or electronic item purchase.
L...w
Oh THANK YOU! You always have the most wonderful advice! I'm going to check on that extra credit card warranty.
DeleteOh nuts! Just checked. Mom bought it with a gift card from my nephew and his wife. That Toshiba machine from Don Quijote lasted only 9 months!
DeleteOh that's too bad....we recently bought a Toshiba TV from Best Buy and declined their extended warranty. We used our Discover card for an extra year warranty....now you got me wondering about the Toshiba brand.
DeleteL...w
I'm sure it's a perfectly fine TV. It's just that mom uses that VCR player so much that it wears out quickly. Still... I hope this Phillips VCR lasts a lot longer than 9 months.
DeleteYour "tape pick up day" sounds like a nice adventure.
ReplyDeleteMy Kansas WalMart still has the combination VCR/DVD player. It was the DVD part that didn't work the day I purchased one unit. When I returned it, they didn't have the model I purchased, so I bought the next model up.
With the online shopping I've done, many items are cheaper than in-store, especially if it's something "old" they don't want to stock.
My shelf unit with a combination 3 audio disks and 2 cassette tape spots is a relic from the past. I can't get the cassettes to work now, and even Radio Shack doesn't carry such a unit, online or in-store.
I have a cabinet full of VCRs, and some DVDs. Just bought "Against All Odds" at a half-price book store, in VCR form, as I couldn't find it to rent or in DVR form. ($4)
You know those little silica packets they put in medicine, new suitcases, and some new equipment? I wonder if putting one of those inside or near the VCR player might help it last longer?
Good Luck! DrumMajor
Those old VCRs are very handy.
ReplyDeleteI have one of those DVD/VCR combos to play my Netflix but I do all my recording with the unit from Direct TV which is really great. That is good to know that if you persist, some stores will give you the online price.
ReplyDeleteYou really have a nice swap with your aunt that is a benefit to both of you.
ReplyDelete
The sophisticates where my daughter lives in Washington pronounce Target as Tar-jay. It's pseudo French. But I always get the impression that it is a little in-joke for Baby Boomers. Sort of like "I'm off to Nieman-Marcus, but we all know I'm really going to a discount store (wink, wink)."
ReplyDeleteThat sort of family communication you're talking about is what life is all about.
Hey Hank! It's called Tar-jay in Chicago too. Too funny! See you soon.
DeleteOur VCR is years and years old, but it has only been used about three times. Things last longer if you don't use them.
ReplyDeleteOh... so very true, Olga!
DeleteI'm kind of wondering why you don't just get cable. But don't stop making those wonderful visits!
ReplyDeleteIf we got cable along with the NHK special channel, it would cost us $150 + more a month. For now the sisters like the set up so we just let it be. I don't know for how much longer though.
DeleteJazee Penne has some nice bargains now and then also.
ReplyDelete