Rainy Day Shopping Spree

Today was yet another rainy day. I feel so bad for Andy—the poor guy takes off exactly one week per year, and this is what he gets. The forecast's "best" day of the week keeps getting pushed back, but it's looking like Friday will be our beach day, unless yet another "storm system" moves in.

This afternoon Andy took Pete and Julie to see the latest "Ice Age" foolishness (speaking of which, did I show you this look at the difference between Dreamworks and Pixar?), while I moseyed on over to the Apple Store to pick up my brand-spanking-new iPhone 3GS! I'm sorry (you don't know how sorry!) to report that 3G service in my house is no better than Edge service—apparently I live in an AT&T-free zone—but I'm hoping that the signal will be better once I leave the house. I haven't played with it much, but it was very easy to sync everything from my old iPhone over to this one. And, speaking of the old one, I've switched it to "airplane mode" and plan to let the kids use it as an iPod Touch if we're ever on a long car ride or waiting for, say, a rabies shot. (I don't normally feel the need to keep my kids occupied every time they have to wait for something, but there's nothing wrong with a quick game of solitaire now and then, right?)

As I walked past Teavana on my way to the Apple Store, I studiously avoided meeting eyes with the lovely salesclerk who was handing out free samples, but I couldn't resist her siren call. Next thing I knew, I was buying a half pound of a mix of Samurai Chai Maté and White Ayurvedic Chai. It was almost as expensive as the iPhone. Oh, and get this: The great state of Massachusetts charged me sales tax on the full iPhone price of $600 even though I paid only $200 for it. Sheesh.

Comments

[Liz]

Here's an interesting story about someone else's expensive experience at Teavana!

http://consumerist.com/5309711/teavana-salesperson-throws-involuntary-tea-party

[Karen]

I just left a comment on that blog to say that I was offered lots of extra items, but I declined them all. I bought only the minimum amount of tea in a little paper bag.

[Stephanie]

I love the tea, but in Chestnut Hill the salesperson required me to purchase a tin ($). That sounds against consumer rights. The one at the North Shore Mall lets you purchase tea in a free bag!

[Karen]

They can't make you buy a tin -- I was at Chestnut Hill, and they asked me if I wanted a tin, but I said no, so I got it in a bag.

[Liz Price]

Massachusetts is a great state...compared to say Kentucky (where a friend lives) we are in a great place. No tax on clothes (up to $175 per item - then it's on the amount over that.) The idea is that one needs clothes more than, say an iphone...

[Karen]

I know, believe me, and really I do think it's a great state, but this was galling! The Apple Store dude told that only Mass. and perhaps one other state pull that kind of trick. I mean, really, I didn't spend $600, so why I should I have to pay the sales tax on that amount??

[Kelly]

Can I mention how much fun I am having with the compass? I know, I am a complete dork. But I know which way I am headed!