How about companies that refuse to stand behind their products? How many times have you encountered clothing that disintegrates, shrinks or fades drastically within a wash or two? I recently had a problem with two out of the three bar stools I bought for my kitchen three years ago – the fabric tore at the seams. When I contacted the company, the person I spoke with advised me that the stools came with just a 60-day warranty. What does it say about a company’s faith in its products when it only offers a 60-day warranty on the furniture it produces?
Do you get as annoyed as I do when you take chicken quarters out of the package only to discover humongous globs of fat hidden underneath? Or when you buy roasts that look gorgeous on top but when you unwrap them you discover that the underside is quite a different story? Years ago, meat and poultry were packed on clear plastic trays and you had the opportunity to view your purchase from all sides so you could actually see what you were paying for. Not only do the foam trays obscure your view of the product, but in an era when many people try their best to be environmentally conscious, they are virtually unrecyclable.
Last but not least, I want to send a personal shout-out to all those toy companies that insist on including electronic elements in almost every item they make. While I have no doubt there is merit in having toys that light up, sing and talk, possibly in multiple languages, there is a strong argument to be made for toys that let kids use their imaginations and don’t annoy everyone within earshot. So yes, the occasional talking toy is fine but the dearth of toys that don’t rely on batteries is simply astonishing.
Have a pet peeve or your own? Drop me a line at [email protected] for possible inclusion in a future column!