Buying tips ,product reviews and personal views - Page 2

**brianwp** · August 23rd, 2009, 10:54 AM

Kudos to you, Skullman, for getting such a deal. You would make a great talent agent. I, also, pride myself on getting a good deal, it feels really good. However, I wonder if it's still beneficial when you compare the time you put into it to the savings realized. It seems that deal took quite a while, a lot of your time, as well as gas, or transportation costs. In my world, time is money, my time away from business equates to money lost. So for me, paying the reasonable price would actually be more economical for me than dogging the guy down. So this way, as admirable as it sounds, may not be the best way to go for most folks, innit?

MaxJoker · August 23rd, 2009, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brianwp

Kudos to you, Skullman, for getting such a deal. You would make a great talent agent. I, also, pride myself on getting a good deal, it feels really good. However, I wonder if it's still beneficial when you compare the time you put into it to the savings realized. It seems that deal took quite a while, a lot of your time, as well as gas, or transportation costs. In my world, time is money, my time away from business equates to money lost. So for me, paying the reasonable price would actually be more economical for me than dogging the guy down. So this way, as admirable as it sounds, may not be the best way to go for most folks, innit?

Get what you`re saying and normally it would have been the case but it`s only an hours walk to that city store from where i live ,which is cool as these last few weeks i`ve made myself walk more than ride to get used to the heat (Don`t ask) hopefully develop some form of a tan and break in two new pairs of trainers . Also i`ve incorporated my visits with things i`ve needed to sort out at friends , my solicitors , also been arranging a donation to the local library and selling some of my comics to a very weird husband and wife combo who run a previously poorly stocked comic shop called abstract sprocket of all things ?.

By the way i signed on especially just to answer this and so tie up the loose end , now that`s what i call love

**Futuro** · August 23rd, 2009, 01:32 PM

I have been over a year a happy owner of Korg Kaossilator, pocket size phrase-synthesizer. It has over 40 arpeggios to create sequences, and internal loop memory to create simple tracks. I use it when training drums, and for "serious" use I put it through all kinds of effect-pedals and tape-echo to create unique horrible noise, very satisfying!
Almost every music-instrument store in Europe have to compete with Thomann,which is biggest online musicstore in Europe with very reasonable prices and 3 year warranty. So if a young guy go to musicstore at Helsinki or Vatican he 99% sure compares the prices to Thomann, telling to shopkeeper that he could have this organ or bagpipe for this and this price from Thomann, now what`s your price? It`s a bit like a mix of monopoly and exchange-rates, sure thing is that customer wins. I always buy from local dealer, because I get service and It`s easier to return a broken product and deal with warranty-situation than re-pack the drum-set and send it back to Germany.....And of course, local dealer always have some strange old used instruments made in east-europe during 70s, or studiogear, to make a spontaneous purchase, and make me broke for next month! Still, I usually check Thomann`s prices too, but bought Kaossilator from local shop, few euros cheaper, no additional costs for shipping and what`s most important got it immediately!

Here`s a link to groovy japanese video, demoing this little, noisy, yellow box.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ss6chIgz3s

**blondifan** · August 23rd, 2009, 03:07 PM

I'd also endorse Sony products, while having had a miserable time with Teac particularly. (Anyone remember cassette tapes back in the seventies?)
Teac, particularly the Tascam subsiduary, did quite well out of them, but have produced nothing but cheap thoroughly unreliable products since.

My last purchase was a Mytec 35 inch television, which I brought through ebay. It has surpassed my expectations and is surprisingly good.
I made the only (last minute) bid and won it for $800.
The 'clanger' came when I was told it would cost $220 to deliver it. (still a bargain) As I had a friend who was going to that (interstate) city soon I arranged for him to pick it up. After waiting two weeks, I got a text message saying his car had blown up and he had got a job and was staying there!
So I sheepishly returned to the online dealer who did arrange delivery and for twenty dollars less than he originally quoted.

Bought a set of Acoustic Research headphones through ebay a while back for the princely sum of 95 cents. (I had to put one of the rubber ear cups back on, all else was new and in the box)...
Thing is it was $35 for delivery from the states!!!, but I'm still well ahead.

My first mobile was a Motorola, back when you could barely fit them in your pocket. It served me quite well for a long time.
I decided not to get another when I discovered they had also manufactured components for landmines.

**squigg58** · October 2nd, 2009, 07:18 PM

I got a very nice discount on a lap-top thanks to a combination of careful research, bull, and sheer blind luck!

I'd looked at all the reviews, chosen the one I wanted, and had then selected a large local store which sold that model. As I like to be fully prepared, I checked out other similar products they sell so that I could spot any bull! (Two tips here ... if the store you're going to does an own-brand model, that's the one they'll push, so check out the reviews on those. Secondly, even if you only know a few facts and figures, it'll probably be a lot more than half of the store's assistants, so YOU will be in charge!)

Meanwhile, back at the store ...

I saw the one I wanted but then had a little wander, just to make sure there weren't any last-minute bargains. Lady luck then arrived in the shape of a rather anxious-looking woman who was also looking at the laptops. Judging by the number of sighs and the amount of head-scratching, she clearly had no idea what she was doing (not a sexist comment as it could just as easily have been a bloke!) so I smiled sweetly, shrugged, and said something along the lines of "Too many to choose from, huh?" She immediately regaled me with her story! I can't remember the details, but she needed a lap-top, knew what she wanted to spend, but hadn't a clue about which one to go for. I happily shared the knowledge I'd gleaned from reading dozens of reviews and her face lit up! She was so grateful that it was almost embarrassing and I took great pains to point out that the reviews etc could be misleading ... nothing guaranteed in life ... blah, blah! However, to cut a long story short, she decided to buy the same one as me as her requirements were the same as mine.

At this point, a sales assistant appeared on the horizon.

The sales-assistant managed to irritate me within 30 seconds! He asked if "we" needed any help (having assumed we were a couple because we happened to be standing next to each other!) and when I said "we" were looking for a laptop, he immediately pointed us towards the most expensive own-brand model and started to waffle on as he'd been taught to do. He hadn't even asked what "our" requirement were!

I deliberately played the dummy so let him ramble on and "educate" me, and he eventually got round to the one I really wanted. I then explained my dilemma. I just didn't LIKE the cheaper ones (they didn't "look" nice!) ... but the one I DID like was a lot more expensive that I'd imagined! Maybe "we" should just shop around! (My new-found friend nodded sagely ... bless her!)

Sales-assistant looked worried. I was clearly an idiot and had no idea what I was doing, so it was pretty obvious that if I went somewhere else and came up against a better sales-person than him, I'd be putty in their hands! (The benefit of playing dumb!) He tried the "throwing in extras" bit first. (Thank you!)
"Wow ... those sound sound expensive ... and you'd give me all that for the same price?"
"Yes!" (big grin)
"So, if I don't want them, you should be able to knock quite a bit off the basic price!"
(Sales assistant's grin disappears!)

After much negotiating, I got a sizeable discount. When he thought he'd sealed the deal, I played the trump card.
"Okay ... if we wanted to buy TWO, what discount could you give us? 20%?"

I don't think he'd EVER sold two at once, so we eventually got an extra 10% off.

The amusing bit was giving our details! I looked sheepish and explained that it would probably be best if we gave our own SEPARATE addresses ... know what I mean, nudge-nudge, wink-wink! By this time, he poor guy was too confused and I could see him trying to work out if he'd actually sold TWO computers to a couple, or ONE computer each to TWO customers ... in which case, did that warrant the extra discount!

For those expecting a romantic ending ... no, I didn't swap phone numbers with the (married!) woman and I never saw here again ... but if she's half as happy with her lap-top as I am, she must be VERY happy!

**blondifan** · October 4th, 2009, 02:33 AM

There is certainly a lot to be said for online reviews of products these days.
I can remember zealously buying Hi-Fi mags back in the seventies when putting my hi-fi kit together.

What I want to relate is my own personal experiences when after reading numerous reviews and deciding on a particular product, (in two cases) the next to the top of the line.

One was my first serious acoustic guitar.
I had decided on the second 'best' slightly cheaper Australian "Maton".
After placing my order (and a deposit) at a small local music store and waiting a long time I was offered a top of the line SS90 model.
Seems they were having trouble filling orders at the factory.

The sales man a young bloke around my own age showed me a particular instrument that had the smallest of scratches around the rosette (the 'fancy' bit around the sound hole). In fact you could only see it in a certain light when you moved the guitar around. So for this he knocked extra money off, as well as his already generous discount.
Where it got even more interesting was when placing an order for a hard shell case for said instrument. He had a fibreglass case with a domed top, for a Washburn guitar. After waiting again for ages a Maton case arrived. It was made of lesser materials, was more expensive and wasn't as snug a fit as the cheaper Washburn case, so of course I went with the Washburn.
The guy's shop didn't remain open that long unfortunately.

Last I heard the Maton was valued at over three and a half times what I paid for it, however given inflation, this is not a great thing. What counts is the enjoyment it has bought in the thirty years I have owned it, along with some cash from playing in pubs, although my principal gig was/is as a bassist.

Another next to top of line decision I made, after reading numerous reviews online, was for a Pioneer stand alone C.D recorder.
Again I placed a deposit, this time with a major store in Melbourne.
Again I waited months, then was offered the top of line model for a sizable discount.
Turned out to be a bit of a lemon though and has spent more time being repaired than at my place. They've since discontinued and last time it went for repairs they offered me a DVD recorder.

If you're in the market for a stand alone CD recorder (operates like the old cassette decks, only it burns C.D's) - avoid the Pioneer PDR-W839, even if you see it cheap on eBay.

Better still buy a good guitar!

MaxJoker · October 28th, 2009, 10:40 AM

Bought this last week at PC World for 10 pounds which seemed like a good deal and upon getting back home and uploading all seemed cool. But after stupidly agreeing to all it`s recommendations my laptops world fell apart , well ok he didn`t notice anything due to being inanimate but i sure as hell wasn`t !

Fact i`ve been pretty verbal as well lately , because this piece of kit if put in the wrong hands (Namely mine) can turn your Internet life upside down. Not to say it isn`t excellent at what it does because believe me it is , my processor speed has increased i`d say about five percent or so at least. No it not working wasn`t the problem.Thing is it has a function that allows you to turn off unnecessary start up programs separately ,problem was i simply clicked all it`s recommendations on mass which included even the tiny weeny ones .

I know , i know ...

STUPID

Meant i lost audio completely , my firewall ate itself , MSN turned into something resembling an etch a sketch and i was driven to drink ...................... Lucozade sport !

Ah yes i be liking a drop of the ard stuff every now and then shipmates (I said ship mates)

Anyway my review (Well there had to be a point to this post somewhere ?) is although the disc buggered up my system (Thanks to me ) it does work , and works well. Also i know there are free registry cleaners Online but if i got everything online how`d i ever drive down a price or haggle until the spotty PC World technical assistant burst into tears ?

After almost a week of self created hassle normal service has been entombed , and so you know what that means !

"Party "

**billybunter** · October 28th, 2009, 11:22 AM

I'm a Sony nut. And I do believe you get what you pay for. I upgraded my HI-FI recently (my wallet is still in hospital) and I bought pro-ject, NAD & ONKYO. Why buy the same thing many times over when you can buy a quality product that will last years. My last CD player lasted 15 years.

**Giacson** · October 28th, 2009, 05:02 PM

Let me be the first to bring this thread down the low-tech road

Hopefully for some of us it will be useful, though not nearly in the grand style of the Green one. I've been quite miserly with most of my high-tech stuff, keeping it all until its become completely broken or totally obsolete. Even my last computer was a second hand rebuild job from an independent dealer that only cost me $200. I couldnt be happier with it and plan to revisit the same store for another rebuilt machine once this one no longer meets my needs.

I stumbled on this thread just after plugging in my beard trimmer for a recharge. I've had a full beard for most of my adult life so, having a good, durable trimmer has been pretty important. I currently use a Norelco T900. Bought it for about $30. Its mowed many yards of fuzz off my face for years and hasnt shown any sign of giving out. Mechanically, its been perfect. The batterly life is due most in part to how I've managed it. As with all rechargeable batteries, they need to be run down completely before recharging. Do this, and you'll get much more life out of your batteries.

Unfortunately, the T900 isnt available anymore. However, Norelco is still the manufacturer I'd recommend if you're in the market for one. The T980 Turbo seems to be the next best thing for the price, $39. If my T900 keeps functioning as well as it has, it probably outlive the T980's production.

**Oswald** · October 28th, 2009, 06:12 PM

I'm always extremely wary when some spotty-faced Herbert tries to sell me 'insurance cover' when I've purchased electrical goods. I always inform him that the goods I've bought are covered by a one year Warranty - all electrical goods are covered by this. I then add that if the goods are reliable enough then they won't need 'insurance cover'.

August 23rd, 2009, 10:54 AM	#11
brianwp Vintage Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: United States Posts: 1,464 Thanks: 4,856 Thanked 25,704 Times in 1,431 Posts	Kudos to you, Skullman, for getting such a deal. You would make a great talent agent. I, also, pride myself on getting a good deal, it feels really good. However, I wonder if it's still beneficial when you compare the time you put into it to the savings realized. It seems that deal took quite a while, a lot of your time, as well as gas, or transportation costs. In my world, time is money, my time away from business equates to money lost. So for me, paying the reasonable price would actually be more economical for me than dogging the guy down. So this way, as admirable as it sounds, may not be the best way to go for most folks, innit? Last edited by brianwp; August 23rd, 2009 at 10:56 AM..

August 23rd, 2009, 01:32 PM	#13
Futuro Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: F1nland Posts: 1,791 Thanks: 12,113 Thanked 36,664 Times in 1,899 Posts	I have been over a year a happy owner of Korg Kaossilator, pocket size phrase-synthesizer. It has over 40 arpeggios to create sequences, and internal loop memory to create simple tracks. I use it when training drums, and for "serious" use I put it through all kinds of effect-pedals and tape-echo to create unique horrible noise, very satisfying! Almost every music-instrument store in Europe have to compete with Thomann,which is biggest online musicstore in Europe with very reasonable prices and 3 year warranty. So if a young guy go to musicstore at Helsinki or Vatican he 99% sure compares the prices to Thomann, telling to shopkeeper that he could have this organ or bagpipe for this and this price from Thomann, now what`s your price? It`s a bit like a mix of monopoly and exchange-rates, sure thing is that customer wins. I always buy from local dealer, because I get service and It`s easier to return a broken product and deal with warranty-situation than re-pack the drum-set and send it back to Germany.....And of course, local dealer always have some strange old used instruments made in east-europe during 70s, or studiogear, to make a spontaneous purchase, and make me broke for next month! Still, I usually check Thomann`s prices too, but bought Kaossilator from local shop, few euros cheaper, no additional costs for shipping and what`s most important got it immediately! Here`s a link to groovy japanese video, demoing this little, noisy, yellow box. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ss6chIgz3s Last edited by Futuro; August 23rd, 2009 at 01:50 PM..

October 28th, 2009, 10:40 AM	#17
MaxJoker Beloved Brother Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Cemetery Gardens_Arterial Blood Lane_Rampton Secure Unit_Extra Violent F Wing_Cell 19 Posts: 69,106 Thanks: 372,713 Thanked 987,850 Times in 69,067 Posts	TuneUp Utilities 2009 Bought this last week at PC World for 10 pounds which seemed like a good deal and upon getting back home and uploading all seemed cool. But after stupidly agreeing to all it`s recommendations my laptops world fell apart , well ok he didn`t notice anything due to being inanimate but i sure as hell wasn`t ! Fact i`ve been pretty verbal as well lately , because this piece of kit if put in the wrong hands (Namely mine) can turn your Internet life upside down. Not to say it isn`t excellent at what it does because believe me it is , my processor speed has increased i`d say about five percent or so at least. No it not working wasn`t the problem.Thing is it has a function that allows you to turn off unnecessary start up programs separately ,problem was i simply clicked all it`s recommendations on mass which included even the tiny weeny ones . I know , i know ... STUPID Meant i lost audio completely , my firewall ate itself , MSN turned into something resembling an etch a sketch and i was driven to drink ...................... Lucozade sport ! Ah yes i be liking a drop of the ard stuff every now and then shipmates (I said ship mates) Anyway my review (Well there had to be a point to this post somewhere ?) is although the disc buggered up my system (Thanks to me ) it does work , and works well. Also i know there are free registry cleaners Online but if i got everything online how`d i ever drive down a price or haggle until the spotty PC World technical assistant burst into tears ? After almost a week of self created hassle normal service has been entombed , and so you know what that means ! "Party " __________________ My hypocrisy only goes so To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

August 23rd, 2009, 03:07 PM	#14
blondifan Vintage Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 4,406 Thanks: 55,002 Thanked 60,212 Times in 4,401 Posts	I'd also endorse Sony products, while having had a miserable time with Teac particularly. (Anyone remember cassette tapes back in the seventies?) Teac, particularly the Tascam subsiduary, did quite well out of them, but have produced nothing but cheap thoroughly unreliable products since. My last purchase was a Mytec 35 inch television, which I brought through ebay. It has surpassed my expectations and is surprisingly good. I made the only (last minute) bid and won it for $800. The 'clanger' came when I was told it would cost $220 to deliver it. (still a bargain) As I had a friend who was going to that (interstate) city soon I arranged for him to pick it up. After waiting two weeks, I got a text message saying his car had blown up and he had got a job and was staying there! So I sheepishly returned to the online dealer who did arrange delivery and for twenty dollars less than he originally quoted. Bought a set of Acoustic Research headphones through ebay a while back for the princely sum of 95 cents. (I had to put one of the rubber ear cups back on, all else was new and in the box)... Thing is it was $35 for delivery from the states!!!, but I'm still well ahead. My first mobile was a Motorola, back when you could barely fit them in your pocket. It served me quite well for a long time. I decided not to get another when I discovered they had also manufactured components for landmines.

October 2nd, 2009, 07:18 PM	#15
squigg58 Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: My own little world Posts: 2,476 Thanks: 14,113 Thanked 25,970 Times in 2,473 Posts	I got a very nice discount on a lap-top thanks to a combination of careful research, bull, and sheer blind luck! I'd looked at all the reviews, chosen the one I wanted, and had then selected a large local store which sold that model. As I like to be fully prepared, I checked out other similar products they sell so that I could spot any bull! (Two tips here ... if the store you're going to does an own-brand model, that's the one they'll push, so check out the reviews on those. Secondly, even if you only know a few facts and figures, it'll probably be a lot more than half of the store's assistants, so YOU will be in charge!) Meanwhile, back at the store ... I saw the one I wanted but then had a little wander, just to make sure there weren't any last-minute bargains. Lady luck then arrived in the shape of a rather anxious-looking woman who was also looking at the laptops. Judging by the number of sighs and the amount of head-scratching, she clearly had no idea what she was doing (not a sexist comment as it could just as easily have been a bloke!) so I smiled sweetly, shrugged, and said something along the lines of "Too many to choose from, huh?" She immediately regaled me with her story! I can't remember the details, but she needed a lap-top, knew what she wanted to spend, but hadn't a clue about which one to go for. I happily shared the knowledge I'd gleaned from reading dozens of reviews and her face lit up! She was so grateful that it was almost embarrassing and I took great pains to point out that the reviews etc could be misleading ... nothing guaranteed in life ... blah, blah! However, to cut a long story short, she decided to buy the same one as me as her requirements were the same as mine. At this point, a sales assistant appeared on the horizon. The sales-assistant managed to irritate me within 30 seconds! He asked if "we" needed any help (having assumed we were a couple because we happened to be standing next to each other!) and when I said "we" were looking for a laptop, he immediately pointed us towards the most expensive own-brand model and started to waffle on as he'd been taught to do. He hadn't even asked what "our" requirement were! I deliberately played the dummy so let him ramble on and "educate" me, and he eventually got round to the one I really wanted. I then explained my dilemma. I just didn't LIKE the cheaper ones (they didn't "look" nice!) ... but the one I DID like was a lot more expensive that I'd imagined! Maybe "we" should just shop around! (My new-found friend nodded sagely ... bless her!) Sales-assistant looked worried. I was clearly an idiot and had no idea what I was doing, so it was pretty obvious that if I went somewhere else and came up against a better sales-person than him, I'd be putty in their hands! (The benefit of playing dumb!) He tried the "throwing in extras" bit first. (Thank you!) "Wow ... those sound sound expensive ... and you'd give me all that for the same price?" "Yes!" (big grin) "So, if I don't want them, you should be able to knock quite a bit off the basic price!" (Sales assistant's grin disappears!) After much negotiating, I got a sizeable discount. When he thought he'd sealed the deal, I played the trump card. "Okay ... if we wanted to buy TWO, what discount could you give us? 20%?" I don't think he'd EVER sold two at once, so we eventually got an extra 10% off. The amusing bit was giving our details! I looked sheepish and explained that it would probably be best if we gave our own SEPARATE addresses ... know what I mean, nudge-nudge, wink-wink! By this time, he poor guy was too confused and I could see him trying to work out if he'd actually sold TWO computers to a couple, or ONE computer each to TWO customers ... in which case, did that warrant the extra discount! For those expecting a romantic ending ... no, I didn't swap phone numbers with the (married!) woman and I never saw here again ... but if she's half as happy with her lap-top as I am, she must be VERY happy!

October 4th, 2009, 02:33 AM	#16
blondifan Vintage Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 4,406 Thanks: 55,002 Thanked 60,212 Times in 4,401 Posts	There is certainly a lot to be said for online reviews of products these days. I can remember zealously buying Hi-Fi mags back in the seventies when putting my hi-fi kit together. What I want to relate is my own personal experiences when after reading numerous reviews and deciding on a particular product, (in two cases) the next to the top of the line. One was my first serious acoustic guitar. I had decided on the second 'best' slightly cheaper Australian "Maton". After placing my order (and a deposit) at a small local music store and waiting a long time I was offered a top of the line SS90 model. Seems they were having trouble filling orders at the factory. The sales man a young bloke around my own age showed me a particular instrument that had the smallest of scratches around the rosette (the 'fancy' bit around the sound hole). In fact you could only see it in a certain light when you moved the guitar around. So for this he knocked extra money off, as well as his already generous discount. Where it got even more interesting was when placing an order for a hard shell case for said instrument. He had a fibreglass case with a domed top, for a Washburn guitar. After waiting again for ages a Maton case arrived. It was made of lesser materials, was more expensive and wasn't as snug a fit as the cheaper Washburn case, so of course I went with the Washburn. The guy's shop didn't remain open that long unfortunately. Last I heard the Maton was valued at over three and a half times what I paid for it, however given inflation, this is not a great thing. What counts is the enjoyment it has bought in the thirty years I have owned it, along with some cash from playing in pubs, although my principal gig was/is as a bassist. Another next to top of line decision I made, after reading numerous reviews online, was for a Pioneer stand alone C.D recorder. Again I placed a deposit, this time with a major store in Melbourne. Again I waited months, then was offered the top of line model for a sizable discount. Turned out to be a bit of a lemon though and has spent more time being repaired than at my place. They've since discontinued and last time it went for repairs they offered me a DVD recorder. If you're in the market for a stand alone CD recorder (operates like the old cassette decks, only it burns C.D's) - avoid the Pioneer PDR-W839, even if you see it cheap on eBay. Better still buy a good guitar!

October 28th, 2009, 11:22 AM	#18
billybunter R.I.P. Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Gone But Not Forgotten Posts: 14,404 Thanks: 51,687 Thanked 252,375 Times in 14,171 Posts	I'm a Sony nut. And I do believe you get what you pay for. I upgraded my HI-FI recently (my wallet is still in hospital) and I bought pro-ject, NAD & ONKYO. Why buy the same thing many times over when you can buy a quality product that will last years. My last CD player lasted 15 years.

October 28th, 2009, 05:02 PM	#19
Giacson Vintage Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 441 Thanks: 3,460 Thanked 8,759 Times in 435 Posts	Let me be the first to bring this thread down the low-tech road Hopefully for some of us it will be useful, though not nearly in the grand style of the Green one. I've been quite miserly with most of my high-tech stuff, keeping it all until its become completely broken or totally obsolete. Even my last computer was a second hand rebuild job from an independent dealer that only cost me $200. I couldnt be happier with it and plan to revisit the same store for another rebuilt machine once this one no longer meets my needs. I stumbled on this thread just after plugging in my beard trimmer for a recharge. I've had a full beard for most of my adult life so, having a good, durable trimmer has been pretty important. I currently use a Norelco T900. Bought it for about $30. Its mowed many yards of fuzz off my face for years and hasnt shown any sign of giving out. Mechanically, its been perfect. The batterly life is due most in part to how I've managed it. As with all rechargeable batteries, they need to be run down completely before recharging. Do this, and you'll get much more life out of your batteries. Unfortunately, the T900 isnt available anymore. However, Norelco is still the manufacturer I'd recommend if you're in the market for one. The T980 Turbo seems to be the next best thing for the price, $39. If my T900 keeps functioning as well as it has, it probably outlive the T980's production.

October 28th, 2009, 06:12 PM	#20
Oswald Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 13,115 Thanks: 51,076 Thanked 282,533 Times in 13,805 Posts	I'm always extremely wary when some spotty-faced Herbert tries to sell me 'insurance cover' when I've purchased electrical goods. I always inform him that the goods I've bought are covered by a one year Warranty - all electrical goods are covered by this. I then add that if the goods are reliable enough then they won't need 'insurance cover'.