During the “polar vortex” a few months ago, my trusty printer of 7 years decided to stop working.
Penny, as I called her, did a great job for many years. A dozen cartridges and reams of paper later, Penny the Printer decided it was her time to join the trash heap. She had been in my office at the hospital and in my home office.
Of course, parts for her and labor was multiples of what another $99 printer would cost, like what I paid 7 years for half the speed and capacity available today.
Of course, I looked at online reviews and found several in my price range ($79-$129) for Penny the Printer II for the next 7 years. It appeared some of these were available at my local office superstore.
So, while I was being advised to “stay indoors” I schlepped out to the office superstore for a new printer.
When I arrived, a young man, perhaps the age I was 30 years ago approached me and asked if he could help me find anything. I mentioned I was looking for a new printer. One that was could do black and white, could do two-sided printing and was low cost to maintain in terms of ink/toner.
Have you looked online?
The sales clerk asked me. I responded I had and saw that the store carried a couple of models I wanted to check out.
Well, you can just order online and get free shipping or pick up in store.
I understand that, but I wanted to print some test pages and see what size they are. Perhaps look at all-in-ones to compare.
You can do that online.
I understand but I wanted to “kick the tires” so to speak. See how much the toner cartridges are up front.
That is all on our website too. It is free to register for an account. Do you have an e-mail address?
What’s e-mail?
Huh?
Just kidding. Let’s go look at the printers.
Well, there are a lot more on our website and we can get them from other stores and you can pick up here free of charge.
I am here now while it is 30 below zero. I am hoping my truck will start so I can get home and set this up.
Next time you can go online and order one.
Hopefully, the “next time” will be in about 7 to 10 years again and then I will have a flying truck to avoid some of the traffic despite everyone being told to stay indoors?
Did you say flying truck?
Yes. I saw it online. By 2020 we will have automobiles that fly.
After some time, I decided on who was going to be Penny II.
I grabbed the ticket from the display and brought it to the register. Another clerk scanned the bar code and informed me that model is only available online.
Did I look online?
No. I didn’t. I decided to come in here and look.
Well, you can go to one of the kiosks in the store and order it online and come back and pick it up.
But I am here now. It is supposed to be colder tomorrow.
Do you want to use one of the kiosks?
No! I want that other kid to pull a box off the shelf and bring it up here! Radio Shack sold things to you that they had in the store. Like a grocery store does.
We have more inventory online.
Do you understand what business you are in? People come to the store to buy things they need and take them home. Do you understand I don’t want to come here to use your computer and then come back tomorrow and pick it up?
Do you know the website address?
Let me guess. I think I can figure it out. I will go home and go online…
Penny II arrived at the store the next day.
More in Part 2 about our self-service economy.
