I’ve mentioned that I write a lot of letters. Usually I try to make them uplifting, but when it comes to complaining to manufacturers, the responses can be curt.
Here’s one I wrote to Sunbeam Products about their Oster toaster:
‘To whom it may concern, which is probably nobody,
‘Some months ago, when I decided to replace our fine working, but 30-year-old toaster, I mentioned my decision to a friend. The quick response was, ‘Don’t get rid of you old one!??
Why, I wondered to myself? New ones had to be more efficient, quicker, more easily regulated and environmentally more acceptable to the EPA, as if I give a good gol-darn.
Comparisons:
Old – near-done alarm
Oster – no warning
Old – Pop up by time juice is poured
Oster – Pop up after juice is poured, trip to bath, feeding dog and 7:00 a.m. news
Old – Pop up noise like Perry Como
Oster – Pop up noise like Kid Rock
Old – Toasted slices pop up high enough to grab with two fingers
Oster – Popped up slices barely visible, retrievable only with slender, 3-tine fork
Old – Cord long enough to reach outlet
Oster – Cord long enough to reach outlet only after moving Microwave, three canisters and counter stains.
Old – Toastmaster
New – Oster 2-slice toastdora de2 rebanadas grille-pain a tranches models/modelos modeles 625,6325-33
Bottom line: for a change I got good advice from someone.?
Sunbeam’s form letter:
‘Dear Sunbeam Customer,
‘Thank you for sharing your views with us about our products/services. It is helpful to receive insight from consumers. Thank you for your interest in Sunbeam/Oster/Mr.Coffee products.’Laura Taylor
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Why do we people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes that something new to eat will have materialized?
Why is it that no plastic bag will open from the end on our first try?
How do those dead bugs get into those enclosed light fixtures?
My sister, Barbara, wants to know where she’s going to plug in her lamp in the coming wireless society.
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I think every ‘diet/health? article should carry a picture of the writer — full length. Better yet, and since Lansing and Washington representatives seem to have a lot of time, they should write legislation requiring such photos.
Like Dr. Harvey Simon in Harvard Men’s Health Watch who says our breakfast bread should be pumpernickel or whole wheat. They have low glycemic index. Bagels, he says are very low in fiber. Who cares? Bagels shouldn’t even be in the food chain.
I say breakfast bread should be potato or Italian, toasted with tomato and bacon in between. Please note my healthy, though not full length photo herewith.
The doctor says drive-through breakfasts have too much of everything, doughnuts, waffles and fried potatoes too much fat and processed meats too much fat and salt.
Let’s see your profile, doctor. Egg/sausage muffins, waffles slopped with syrup and/or jam and bacon are not only tasty and filling they provide mental strength to face the world.
Start your day with a satisfying breakfast, and that does not mean unsalted, nonfat, high fiber stuff.
Dr. Simon says doing things his way we’ll gradually lose our craving for bacon and eggs. We’ll probably lose our zest for life, too.