tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post4157501992882920883..comments2024-02-23T02:03:23.020-07:00Comments on The Eco Cat Lady Speaks: Confessions of a First World Whiney-PantsEcoCatLadyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-37952828830425077012015-10-23T22:44:29.899-06:002015-10-23T22:44:29.899-06:00Big Brother is watching you... :-)Big Brother is watching you... :-)EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-49113605629779047642015-10-23T16:51:09.022-06:002015-10-23T16:51:09.022-06:00Yep crazy isn't it? To find warnings in manua...Yep crazy isn't it? To find warnings in manuals telling you jot to have conversations by your television is pretty weird.Loishttp://theecograndma.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-85681698274992124932015-10-19T01:41:42.226-06:002015-10-19T01:41:42.226-06:00Ha! So what you're telling me is that the craz...Ha! So what you're telling me is that the crazy people who think the CIA is using their televisions to spy on them aren't that far off? What is the world coming to!<br /><br />But thanks for the head's up... I'll check it out. This model does have a voice activation feature, but you have to push a button on a special remote and talk into the microphone to use it, so I don't think it's recording random chatter... but it would be good to know for sure! :-)EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-39383411241963850762015-10-19T01:39:18.530-06:002015-10-19T01:39:18.530-06:00Thanks soooo much for your comment. Sometimes I st...Thanks soooo much for your comment. Sometimes I start to feel like I'm just a horrible person for not doing more to support local businesses. But like you said, they are not all created equal - some are great do deal with and others... well, we know how others are!<br /><br />I guess on some level it always bothers me that there's this ethos out there that says we should all have to pay more for the sake of ______ (fill in blank with good deed of the day.) I mean I get that we want to support farmers, and fair wages, and safe working environments, and stuff produced without chemicals etc. <br /><br />But it just seems that if all of these "causes" are dependent on people willingly paying twice as much to get half the service - well, that just doesn't seem like a winning equation to me!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-83954530667915022992015-10-17T20:52:20.725-06:002015-10-17T20:52:20.725-06:00First of all, owning a TV isn't a bad thing, i...First of all, owning a TV isn't a bad thing, it's getting sucked into them and doing nothing else in life that is a bad thing. Since when do you have to pay upfront for repairs? Car repairs, dry cleaning etc all are situations where you pay after the repairs are completed so why would they charge you upfront? Seems like bad business practice to me.<br /><br />You might want to look over the owner's manual for your new TV, (or have CatMan do it) see this about the TVs that recognize your voice http://www.cnet.com/news/samsungs-warning-our-smart-tvs-record-your-living-room-chatter/Loishttp://theecograndma.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-35436608632931187092015-10-14T09:00:59.540-06:002015-10-14T09:00:59.540-06:00I'm not sure what it says about me, but I woul...I'm not sure what it says about me, but I wouldn't want to live without TV. I don't watch it every day, but I really like knowing it's there when I want it. <br /><br />Please don't hate me, but I've never fully understood people's aversion to big stores. I get that some places have questionable ethics and sometimes local options are better, but I think the blanket attitude of all box stores are pure evil is just over the top.<br /><br />I try to strike a balance (or at least what works as a balance in my head). I will usually give small/local stores a try,but if they have much higher prices and/or don't do something to earn my business and make the higher cost worth it I don't go back.<br /><br />We get tires from a local place, even though they cost a little more, because they're awesome. They're honest and have always been lovely to deal with. I do NOT care for the local bookstore. They're snooty, the prices are high, and the selection isn't great. So books usually come from chains or Amazon. That's kind of we divide stuff out.<br /><br />And with some things it just doesn't make financial sense not to go with the more economical option. We have six rescue cats, so we basically have to buy litter at a bulk discount box store.<br /><br />Like you said people are only willing to deal with so much hassle and frustration before looking for an easier option. Danielle L Zecherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01492742250595537348noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-51199437325899272452015-10-13T12:05:16.831-06:002015-10-13T12:05:16.831-06:00Yup... I sorta think that a few people hanging the...Yup... I sorta think that a few people hanging themselves on some sort of a cross in the name of environmentalism (even if it is an organically grown, sustainably harvested, locally produced cross) - well, I just don't think that this approach really helps the cause very much. It just gives everybody else the message that environmentalism and misery go hand in hand, and getting anyone to join that sort of a cause is... well... let's just say it's a hard sell!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-62427799493289736592015-10-13T11:33:41.283-06:002015-10-13T11:33:41.283-06:00Wow! In triplicate... you must have really liked t...Wow! In triplicate... you must have really liked that sentence! :-) <br /><br />Seriously, I'm sure it was a glitch, but it made me smile so I'm leaving them!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-58253383549067839172015-10-13T07:11:21.632-06:002015-10-13T07:11:21.632-06:00...I just think that owning things that you don......I just think that owning things that you don't use and enjoy is the real problem....<br /><br />Nicely said.Live and Learnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13493777474885053903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-62669622981228842922015-10-13T07:11:21.101-06:002015-10-13T07:11:21.101-06:00...I just think that owning things that you don......I just think that owning things that you don't use and enjoy is the real problem....<br /><br />Nicely said.Live and Learnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13493777474885053903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-32456661967905394342015-10-13T07:06:07.537-06:002015-10-13T07:06:07.537-06:00...I just think that owning things that you don......I just think that owning things that you don't use and enjoy is the real problem....<br /><br />Nicely said.Live and Learnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13493777474885053903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-9692314846923009452015-10-13T01:11:53.581-06:002015-10-13T01:11:53.581-06:00I try and do the most eco friendly thing...but the...I try and do the most eco friendly thing...but there is a point where you just get tired and frustrated with fretting about finding the perfect solution and go for the 'worse' but easier solution.<br />It's a pity the repairman turned out to be useless/theiving- definitely agree with others who have said you should report them.NicolaBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01542310810409358114noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-28167611226429427772015-10-13T00:44:17.462-06:002015-10-13T00:44:17.462-06:00Well... I hope so. Better than hitting myself in t...Well... I hope so. Better than hitting myself in the thumb! :-)EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-31516026992122685542015-10-13T00:37:15.569-06:002015-10-13T00:37:15.569-06:00I'm gonna call them tomorrow and officially re...I'm gonna call them tomorrow and officially request the refund, so we'll see how it goes. And I think you have a point with your first paragraph. I mean, I firmly believe that you have to "be the change that you want to see" but you also have to live in this society here and now... and deal with realities like bad necks & backs. <br /><br />I actually don't think that owning things is bad... I just think that owning things that you don't use and enjoy is the real problem. EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-29790032646164992472015-10-13T00:35:01.696-06:002015-10-13T00:35:01.696-06:00Ha! I'm thinking about my backup popcorn poppe...Ha! I'm thinking about my backup popcorn popper. Because, you know, how could one EVER survive without a Whirley-Pop?!?EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-31822972964926634812015-10-13T00:33:25.786-06:002015-10-13T00:33:25.786-06:00I hope so too. CatMan says that there's at lea...I hope so too. CatMan says that there's at least a chance that this one will last longer because the LED TV's don't use high voltage like the plasmas do. It doesn't mean that parts can't fail, but if they do they're much less likely to take out entire circuit boards when they go. We'll see...EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-2427777409041565562015-10-13T00:31:37.787-06:002015-10-13T00:31:37.787-06:00I'm not sure how I became a football fan. Base...I'm not sure how I became a football fan. Baseball? Basketball? Hockey? You couldn't pay me to sit through one of those games, but football... I just can't help myself!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-75176322582030248692015-10-13T00:27:52.137-06:002015-10-13T00:27:52.137-06:00Thanks Debbie. We considered going with an OLED, b...Thanks Debbie. We considered going with an OLED, but then we read that there have been a LOT of factory recalls for defective parts because it's "first generation technology."<br /><br />Anyhow, we went with a Sony 4K 55 inch. Apparently it has 4 times the number of pixels as a regular HD TV - but since most signals aren't 4K it has to "upscale." Anyhow, we just had movie night and while I could certainly tell that the blacks weren't quite as black as the plasma, I think it's completely fine. I honestly couldn't tell the difference with the pixel thing, but that may be because my eyes aren't good enough.<br /><br />But get this... you can talk to this TV! Seriously, you pick up the little microphone and tell it what you want to watch and it changes channels or whatever. Holy Moly!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-68922286883029542572015-10-12T19:50:47.710-06:002015-10-12T19:50:47.710-06:00I think you hit the nail right on the head, I think you hit the nail right on the head, Sue Knott (formerly blogging as Mad Cow)https://www.blogger.com/profile/12578643260876466221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-11545347272414851762015-10-12T19:32:43.422-06:002015-10-12T19:32:43.422-06:00PS I forgot you already bought a new TV. Oops.PS I forgot you already bought a new TV. Oops.Debbie Mnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-46064701552826971492015-10-12T19:31:33.257-06:002015-10-12T19:31:33.257-06:00Oh, and here is advice from my boyfriend: 1) Get ...Oh, and here is advice from my boyfriend: 1) Get your credit card company to request a full refund since they gave you nothing. If you didn't use a credit card, he recommends small claims court. They took your money and didn't deliver. That's not okay.<br /><br />2) You can get a discontinued Panasonic plasma (60-inch = $1400) on Amazon.<br /><br />3) But plasma is dead because it's not reliable and the new OLED technology combines the best of both worlds. It does perfect blacks with the clarity of LED. So you should get this if you can, but they're more expensive. You can get a 55-inch LG for $1800.Debbie Mnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-32600771335180951302015-10-12T19:22:29.661-06:002015-10-12T19:22:29.661-06:00Oo, clever!Oo, clever!Debbie Mnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-60726405791084854452015-10-12T16:38:10.623-06:002015-10-12T16:38:10.623-06:00Really, I don't think owning a TV is evil or d...Really, I don't think owning a TV is evil or dealing with a big business over a small business because it is giving you better customer service is evil either. We all start with a set of ideals, but we have to apply them in the real world. And if we are honest and really look at the big picture, it's not so clear that any one way of doing something is the only way.<br /><br />Okay, enough of an editorial. I'm glad that you and Catman have a way to continue your movie nights. And if it were me, I would report the plasma repairmen to the BBB and then move on. As with all difficult situations, consider it a learning experience. It's up to you to decide which lessons you learned.<br /><br />Live and Learnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13493777474885053903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-49775015765931396672015-10-12T15:54:00.869-06:002015-10-12T15:54:00.869-06:00You tried to get it fixed, which is a plus....but ...You tried to get it fixed, which is a plus....but owning a TV is bad, which is a negative, so you come out even on this. I have a TV, I watch mostly videos.<br />I have found buying garbage to be really frustrating, my solution is to own as little of it as possible, for the things I do own I look for back-up replacements in thrift stores. I know this wouldn't be feasible for a TV but in my case it works great for breadmakers, kettles blowdryers etc. This helps me feel better about replacing garbage with more garbage.<br />We do have to live in the world we have, changing it is a great idea, but as a realist, I know it won't happen in my lifetime.<br />I would have done the same as you, I agree with catman and I'd be looking for ways to curse those bastards<br /><br />MarieannAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7685979597473858413.post-57055915801920692332015-10-12T15:31:37.754-06:002015-10-12T15:31:37.754-06:00Owning a tv might not be your most environmentally...Owning a tv might not be your most environmentally friendly attribute, but at least you tried to get it fixed when it broke! I have to agree with previous posters that companies purposely make them difficult to repair to encourage people to buy new so I'm not really surprised that shop wasn't able to help. Hopefully your new tv lasts for a long time!Amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05307066665335899370noreply@blogger.com