Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

coldinohio

happy thanksgiving

oldfarmer50

driver100 said:

Any advice....I mean about this solar powered backup camera that comes from COSTCO? (not about where I can go or something!)
TYPE S SOLAR POWERED BACK UP CAMERA

What I would really like is one where the monitor works on battery power....and doesn't have to be plugged into cigarette lighter.

It would depend on how long the car stays in the garage. Don’t most of those solar powered systems have limited operating times? You’d hate to have the system fade out when you’re out late at night.

ab348

@driver100 , that link doesn't take me to anything resembling that.

fintail

I think the W204 C-class has aged incredibly well. It is still a decent looking car, no small feat for something that debuted here for the 2008 model year.

Cam link has some kind of error, doesn't work for me either.

driver100 said:

Our C250 is a bare bones basic model. The car would really be something with a V6 and a built in GPS and media center....like a built in back up camera. But, we have to rough it for a car we only use for 5 months. I see a lot of this model around.....I wasn't crazy about the styling at the time....but now I think it is one of the nicest C designs ever.

Happy Thanksgiving Day everyone. Like Oldfarmer said, we get to celebrate it twice, back home in October before we arrive. I always wanted to be fair and loyal to my U.S. employer, so I always took Canadian and U.S. Thanksgiving Day off

snakeweasel

oldfarmer50 said:

What’s your opinion of the Tesla truck/F-150 tow challenge? Seems decidedly biased in favor of the Tesla with instant low end torque and four wheel drive. Then there’s the weight bias of only having traction on the light

driver100 said:

tjc78 said:

Well guys, I may be having a lot more time to BS with you all. Got word Monday that we will be shutting the doors and liquidating! Still waiting on paperwork, but expect by Monday/Tuesday I'll be handed my package and sent out to pasture. Not sure they will need me for the next two-three months.

Luckily my contact list is large (as is my wife's) so I've already got some irons in the fire. 19+ years, it was a good run.

@oldfarmer50
That's a great story. I once checked into a hotel room that looked similar. Front desk clerk didn't realize the room wasn't cleaned yet. Yeah that was gross... I checked into a different hotel.

Good luck tjc, you have a good attitude about this terrible event. I have been let go from more jobs than I can count - probably hold the record, canned from 3 jobs in 4 years........but, I wouldn't change a thing, often the information I learned was more valuable than the job.

What field were you in? (I know, snake is going to say a corn field)

No, wheat field. So there.

snakeweasel

fintail said:

That sounds like HR mentality, and of course who stays in the same place forever?

My dad did as well as two of my sisters. All retired from their first full time employer.

snakeweasel

driver100 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

andres3 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

What’s your opinion of the Tesla truck/F-150 tow challenge? Seems decidedly biased in favor of the Tesla with instant low end torque and four wheel drive. Then there’s the weight bias of only having traction on the light rear end of an unloaded pickup.

https://youtu.be/GQ-Cba4m89o

I'd like to see a rematch with a 4WD Ford. LOL! As far as unloaded, I think thats fair (apples to apples), unless the Tesla was "loaded" too.

The problem with the Ford is that the motor has to be reved up to approach the torque that the Tesla has off the line. No way it could do that without spinning the tires in that demonstration. Not really a fair set up.

Another test I would like to see is which one goes further when filled up!

Better one is who can drive cross country the fastest and not break the speed limit.

carnaught

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

oldfarmer50

Anybody ever hear of wrapping your car for advertising? While some of these offers seem to be a form of the cashiers check scam, there are some legit outfits. Sounds like it would be a viable opportunity for a Lyft/Uber driver like my son who does a lot of driving.

Any opinions?

https://carvertise.com/drivers/

snakeweasel

Happy Day you turkeys.

Oh wait, Happy Turkey day.

Michaell

oldfarmer50 said:

Anybody ever hear of wrapping your car for advertising? While some of these offers seem to be a form of the cashiers check scam, there are some legit outfits. Sounds like it would be a viable opportunity for a Lyft/Uber driver like my son who does a lot of driving.

Any opinions?

https://carvertise.com/drivers/

We considered it for our new business, but decided that some full size rear window clings in both the Outback and MINI were more cost effective.

qbrozen

oldfarmer50 said:

Anybody ever hear of wrapping your car for advertising? While some of these offers seem to be a form of the cashiers check scam, there are some legit outfits. Sounds like it would be a viable opportunity for a Lyft/Uber driver like my son who does a lot of driving.

Any opinions?

https://carvertise.com/drivers/

Been around for a couple of decades. Plenty of info on the interwebs. Most are scams akin to paying to become part of a “modeling agency.”

snakeweasel

fintail said:

Nope, might not even visit. You're going to have real fun with LLCs there when people can't even handle lane discipline on a 60mph road. You just know there will be no enforcement (and I can't imagine the insurance cabal would let such a bill move forward anyway).

andres3 said:

So in other news, if the CA Autobahn bill comes to pass, and we get 2 lanes of speed unlimited freeways all over the State, are all of you moving to California?

I wouldn't worry about it as it seems to be old news. A quick web search shows the latest mention of it being 6 or 7 months ago and the states bill tracking website shows that it has been withdrawn from committee back in April. So it's not happening.

jipster

Happy Thanksgiving, gentlemen.
Gobble till ya wobble.

driver100

ab348 said:

@driver100 , that link doesn't take me to anything resembling that.

Try this direct link:
https://www.costco.com/type-s-solar-powered-hd-quick-connect-wireless-backup-camera.product.100425010.html

driver100

I have given up on a backup camera. If it is wired in, it will cost about $500 and they could mess up the electrical stuff in the car. If I get a wireless system.....the monitor has to be plugged into the cig lighter, and the cord will be dangling from somewhere - plus I have a big bulky monitor sitting somewhere in my field of vision.
Guess, I will have to back up using good old fashioned senses.
It would be nice if you had a camera, and a small monitor that was battery powered, that could fit in the upper left hand corner of the windshield....you don't need to use it very often, and it isn't used too often.

People have the solar ones say they work pretty well with just a bit of sunlight, and it holds enough power to stay charged in the garage.

driver100

fintail said:

I think the W204 C-class has aged incredibly well. It is still a decent looking car, no small feat for something that debuted here for the 2008 model year.

Cam link has some kind of error, doesn't work for me either.

driver100 said:

Our C250 is a bare bones basic model. The car would really be something with a V6 and a built in GPS and media center....like a built in back up camera. But, we have to rough it for a car we only use for 5 months. I see a lot of this model around.....I wasn't crazy about the styling at the time....but now I think it is one of the nicest C designs ever.

Happy Thanksgiving Day everyone. Like Oldfarmer said, we get to celebrate it twice, back home in October before we arrive. I always wanted to be fair and loyal to my U.S. employer, so I always took Canadian and U.S. Thanksgiving Day off

Interesting, I had no idea that design went back to 2008. Some designs hold up really well.

ab348

@driver100 , before you give it up, take a look here:

https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-backup-camera-and-displays/

driver100

ab348 said:

@driver100 , before you give it up, take a look here:

https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-backup-camera-and-displays/

It comes close ab....wireless is good and it sounds like picture quality if good. I like the kind that attach to the rear license plate....some are part of a separate frame, with the camera embedded.

I think this one will need a monitor that will have to get plugged into the cig lighter....which means wires running around....which I don't like and Mrs D will go ballistic over.

They talk about models that show the picture on your smart phone. Mrs D has a smart phone, I have a basic $3 a month plan to call if I will be home a few minutes late. Mrs D isn't keen on looking for her phone and setting it up when I have to back up.

I was hoping they would have wireless if I waited until this year, by next year maybe they will have wireless with a battery powered monitor. The monitor could probably even be solar powered, with enough light coming through the front windshield, especially in Florida!

ab348

There is a replacement rear view mirror on there that doubles as a screen. Would require some wiring up but shouldn't be too difficult.

imidazol97

@driver100

I think you deserve a new car as a way to get backup camera.


When my son started his job with the Cobalt we had, I looked into adding the remote start from the factory. So many of the aftermarket products cause problems on vehicles eventually that I just wanted factory. I found the GM hardware package on the internet since GM didn't supply it any longer. Then I found the software had to be "installed" by the GM computer for a testy fee.

We just bought him a Cruze that already had heated seats AND the remote start.

driver100

ab348 said:

There is a replacement rear view mirror on there that doubles as a screen. Would require some wiring up but shouldn't be too difficult.

I think, getting wires to the mirror is a bit of a problem. I think you are talking removing the inner roof lining, and they have to know how to wire it up on a Mercedes, according to installer B.

How many times do you back up in a day? I back out of the garage most of the time, I back in at tennis, and if we go shopping I have to back up before or after parking......probably 3X a day max for 1 or 2 minutes each time. You would think they could make a battery or solar powered monitor, that could be powered on when you need it.

I think that will be the next improvement in these things.....a monitor that doesn't have to be plugged in.

Speaking of which I had a terrific idea for an invention if anyone would like to fund me. Little 4 inch satellite TVs with a 4 or 5 inch screen that pick up the signal from your main TV in the bedroom. These would clip onto the mirror in your en-suite bathroom so you never miss a moment of your TV show

driver100

imidazol97 said:

@driver100

I think you deserve a new car as a way to get backup camera.

We just bought him a Cruze that already had heated seats AND the remote start.

The thought has gone through my mind, but, I really like driving this car....and the red really suits it. Besides, it has 30k miles on it, doing about 6k miles a year, I could really get my money out of it if it lasts us another 4 or 5 years. Actually come out a bit ahead on a car for once in my life!

ab348

@driver100 , does it have the”beep-beep” backup proximity sensors? I found those pretty useful in cars that didn’t have a camera.

houdini2

driver100 said:

ab348 said:

@driver100 , before you give it up, take a look here:

https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-backup-camera-and-displays/

It comes close ab....wireless is good and it sounds like picture quality if good. I like the kind that attach to the rear license plate....some are part of a separate frame, with the camera embedded.

I think this one will need a monitor that will have to get plugged into the cig lighter....which means wires running around....which I don't like and Mrs D will go ballistic over.

They talk about models that show the picture on your smart phone. Mrs D has a smart phone, I have a basic $3 a month plan to call if I will be home a few minutes late. Mrs D isn't keen on looking for her phone and setting it up when I have to back up.

I was hoping they would have wireless if I waited until this year, by next year maybe they will have wireless with a battery powered monitor. The monitor could probably even be solar powered, with enough light coming through the front windshield, especially in Florida!

I have had a back up camera in the last 3 or 4 cars and seldom use it. I glance at it sometimes then take a real life eyeball look anyway.

driver100

ab348 said:

@driver100 , does it have the”beep-beep” backup proximity sensors? I found those pretty useful in cars that didn’t have a camera.

Ab, no, there aren't any sensors. It is like cars were before anyone thought of backup cameras or sensors. Unless there is a monitor that can work off a battery or solar power, I will have to use turning my neck around...like the Waltons had to do.

driver100

houdini2 said:

driver100 said:

ab348 said:

@driver100 , before you give it up, take a look here:

https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-backup-camera-and-displays/

It comes close ab....wireless is good and it sounds like picture quality if good. I like the kind that attach to the rear license plate....some are part of a separate frame, with the camera embedded.

I think this one will need a monitor that will have to get plugged into the cig lighter....which means wires running around....which I don't like and Mrs D will go ballistic over.

They talk about models that show the picture on your smart phone. Mrs D has a smart phone, I have a basic $3 a month plan to call if I will be home a few minutes late. Mrs D isn't keen on looking for her phone and setting it up when I have to back up.

I was hoping they would have wireless if I waited until this year, by next year maybe they will have wireless with a battery powered monitor. The monitor could probably even be solar powered, with enough light coming through the front windshield, especially in Florida!

I have had a back up camera in the last 3 or 4 cars and seldom use it. I glance at it sometimes then take a real life eyeball look anyway.

I usually prefer to back into parking spots. A camera lets you see where the white lines are....and it shows when you are getting close to a cement spacer or even a wall. Also good for seeing if there is anything like a kid maybe standing behind the car. They are very useful, if used correctly.

oldfarmer50

driver100 said:

houdini2 said:

driver100 said:

ab348 said:

@driver100 , before you give it up, take a look here:

https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-backup-camera-and-displays/

It comes close ab....wireless is good and it sounds like picture quality if good. I like the kind that attach to the rear license plate....some are part of a separate frame, with the camera embedded.

I think this one will need a monitor that will have to get plugged into the cig lighter....which means wires running around....which I don't like and Mrs D will go ballistic over.

They talk about models that show the picture on your smart phone. Mrs D has a smart phone, I have a basic $3 a month plan to call if I will be home a few minutes late. Mrs D isn't keen on looking for her phone and setting it up when I have to back up.

I was hoping they would have wireless if I waited until this year, by next year maybe they will have wireless with a battery powered monitor. The monitor could probably even be solar powered, with enough light coming through the front windshield, especially in Florida!

I have had a back up camera in the last 3 or 4 cars and seldom use it. I glance at it sometimes then take a real life eyeball look anyway.

I usually prefer to back into parking spots. A camera lets you see where the white lines are....and it shows when you are getting close to a cement spacer or even a wall. Also good for seeing if there is anything like a kid maybe standing behind the car. They are very useful, if used correctly.

In some Florida parking lots it’s illegal to back into the spot as it makes it difficult for police to see your plate.

ronsteve

oldfarmer50 said:

driver100 said:

houdini2 said:

driver100 said:

ab348 said:

@driver100 , before you give it up, take a look here:

https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-backup-camera-and-displays/

It comes close ab....wireless is good and it sounds like picture quality if good. I like the kind that attach to the rear license plate....some are part of a separate frame, with the camera embedded.

I think this one will need a monitor that will have to get plugged into the cig lighter....which means wires running around....which I don't like and Mrs D will go ballistic over.

They talk about models that show the picture on your smart phone. Mrs D has a smart phone, I have a basic $3 a month plan to call if I will be home a few minutes late. Mrs D isn't keen on looking for her phone and setting it up when I have to back up.

I was hoping they would have wireless if I waited until this year, by next year maybe they will have wireless with a battery powered monitor. The monitor could probably even be solar powered, with enough light coming through the front windshield, especially in Florida!

I have had a back up camera in the last 3 or 4 cars and seldom use it. I glance at it sometimes then take a real life eyeball look anyway.

I usually prefer to back into parking spots. A camera lets you see where the white lines are....and it shows when you are getting close to a cement spacer or even a wall. Also good for seeing if there is anything like a kid maybe standing behind the car. They are very useful, if used correctly.

In some Florida parking lots it’s illegal to back into the spot as it makes it difficult for police to see your plate.

When I was in grad school in Illinois (Champaign-Urbana) many of the lots were posted "head-in parking only" but I figured that was for visibility of permit stickers, which we displayed in the rear window.

driver100

oldfarmer50 said:

driver100 said:

houdini2 said:

driver100 said:

ab348 said:

@driver100 , before you give it up, take a look here:

https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-backup-camera-and-displays/

It comes close ab....wireless is good and it sounds like picture quality if good. I like the kind that attach to the rear license plate....some are part of a separate frame, with the camera embedded.

I think this one will need a monitor that will have to get plugged into the cig lighter....which means wires running around....which I don't like and Mrs D will go ballistic over.

They talk about models that show the picture on your smart phone. Mrs D has a smart phone, I have a basic $3 a month plan to call if I will be home a few minutes late. Mrs D isn't keen on looking for her phone and setting it up when I have to back up.

I was hoping they would have wireless if I waited until this year, by next year maybe they will have wireless with a battery powered monitor. The monitor could probably even be solar powered, with enough light coming through the front windshield, especially in Florida!

I have had a back up camera in the last 3 or 4 cars and seldom use it. I glance at it sometimes then take a real life eyeball look anyway.

I usually prefer to back into parking spots. A camera lets you see where the white lines are....and it shows when you are getting close to a cement spacer or even a wall. Also good for seeing if there is anything like a kid maybe standing behind the car. They are very useful, if used correctly.

In some Florida parking lots it’s illegal to back into the spot as it makes it difficult for police to see your plate.

We were visiting someone in Florida and I backed in.....I got a sticker on my windshield telling me I better back in next time. Like Ronsteve says, so the custodians don't have to walk around to the back of your car to see the plates. Back home all provinces require front and rear plates.......if you are run over by a car coming towards you it would be nice to be able to get a plate number.

tjc78

Driver, even with the wireless setup to the camera, the monitor can be hard wired.

Any decent stereo shop could run the wire and tap into a switched 12V source to power the monitor.

Not sure why you are having so much trouble finding someone.

ab348

driver100 said:

Back home all provinces require front and rear plates.......if you are run over by a car coming towards you it would be nice to be able to get a plate number.

That isn't accurate. Only Ontario, British Columbia, Manitoba and New Brunswick require front plates (and New Brunswick is considering abandoning them).

oldfarmer50

Saw an interesting episode of Wheeler Dealers last night. They bought a 2004 E36 M3 with a SMG auto transmission and converted it into a manual. Of course they made it look easy but it involved drilling, programming the ECU and a bunch of other stuff. The interesting part for me was that BMW was built with all the mountings needed for the conversion at the factory. All they had to do was put in a clutch pedal. The SMG was really a manual with an electric shift solenoid.

roadburner

oldfarmer50 said:

Saw an interesting episode of Wheeler Dealers last night. They bought a 2004 E36 M3 with a SMG auto transmission and converted it into a manual. Of course they made it look easy but it involved drilling, programming the ECU and a bunch of other stuff. The interesting part for me was that BMW was built with all the mountings needed for the conversion at the factory. All they had to do was put in a clutch pedal. The SMG was really a manual with an electric shift solenoid.

There was also a hydraulic pump that moved the shift forks. I drove several and never could come to terms with the shift quality. If you
Back in the '80s and '90s lots of 2002s, Bavarias and CS coupes were converted to manuals; it was an easy 1-2 day job if you had a donor car- I should know, I had a manual Bavaria parts car and sold the transmission, driveshaft, pedal cluster, and master/clutch reservoir to a fellow CCA member. I was a dead easy job- and was completed over the weekend.

tjc78

Public service message here... don’t give a near 6 year old access to phone with a stored Amazon account with a credit card on file.

My son was playing a game on my mom’s phone... when he fell asleep she took the phone and saw 7 emails of Amazon orders totaling nearly $650.

I was able to get them all cancelled but the pending charge still shows on her CC.

qbrozen

we've had that happen on both amazon and the app store. Apple doesn't allow reversals on the app store.

carnaught

qbrozen said:

we've had that happen on both amazon and the app store. Apple doesn't allow reversals on the app store.

I’ve had to do it on Apple recently and have had success contacting them via call-in.

ab348

oldfarmer50 said:

Saw an interesting episode of Wheeler Dealers last night. They bought a 2004 E36 M3 with a SMG auto transmission and converted it into a manual. Of course they made it look easy but it involved drilling, programming the ECU and a bunch of other stuff. The interesting part for me was that BMW was built with all the mountings needed for the conversion at the factory. All they had to do was put in a clutch pedal. The SMG was really a manual with an electric shift solenoid.

I saw that a little while back. Not exactly a job for the faint of heart. While the mountings and such were there, it is not a job for the typical shade tree mechanic. That is what has become the problem with the newest WD episodes, they no longer fix/refurb cars, they go far beyond what most DIYers would want to tackle. I really don't need to see how a diesel injector pump is rebuilt.

oldfarmer50

roadburner said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Saw an interesting episode of Wheeler Dealers last night. They bought a 2004 E36 M3 with a SMG auto transmission and converted it into a manual. Of course they made it look easy but it involved drilling, programming the ECU and a bunch of other stuff. The interesting part for me was that BMW was built with all the mountings needed for the conversion at the factory. All they had to do was put in a clutch pedal. The SMG was really a manual with an electric shift solenoid.

There was also a hydraulic pump that moved the shift forks. I drove several and never could come to terms with the shift quality. If you
Back in the '80s and '90s lots of 2002s, Bavarias and CS coupes were converted to manuals; it was an easy 1-2 day job if you had a donor car- I should know, I had a manual Bavaria parts car and sold the transmission, driveshaft, pedal cluster, and master/clutch reservoir to a fellow CCA member. I was a dead easy job- and was completed over the weekend.

As I recall, the pump was going to cost $4000 to replace which is what prompted the conversion.

oldfarmer50

ab348 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Saw an interesting episode of Wheeler Dealers last night. They bought a 2004 E36 M3 with a SMG auto transmission and converted it into a manual. Of course they made it look easy but it involved drilling, programming the ECU and a bunch of other stuff. The interesting part for me was that BMW was built with all the mountings needed for the conversion at the factory. All they had to do was put in a clutch pedal. The SMG was really a manual with an electric shift solenoid.

I saw that a little while back. Not exactly a job for the faint of heard. While the mountings and such were there, it is not a job for the typical shade tree mechanic. That is what has become the problem with the newest WD episodes, they no longer fix/refurb cars, they go far beyond what most DIYers would want to tackle. I really don't need to see how a diesel injector pump is rebuilt.

What I like about that show is that they make their repairs look so simple you’d think you could do them in your own garage. I’m sure that Ant has a team of professionals telling him just how to do every step. Wouldn’t make much of a show to have him breaking stuff, throwing tools and cursing.

driver100

tjc78 said:

Driver, even with the wireless setup to the camera, the monitor can be hard wired.

Any decent stereo shop could run the wire and tap into a switched 12V source to power the monitor.

Not sure why you are having so much trouble finding someone.

tjc............thanks for the very valuable information. No one really explains that. The only store I can think of that sells backup cameras and where you could probably ask some questions...and they install is Best Buy. I'll go there after Black Friday is over. Another concern my wife just mentioned is, the monitor has to be small and indiscreet, so go where it won't be in the way.
*Also indie shops that sell audio or tinting etc., but, they usually have older stuff and charge more for it.

driver100

ab348 said:

driver100 said:

Back home all provinces require front and rear plates.......if you are run over by a car coming towards you it would be nice to be able to get a plate number.

That isn't accurate. Only Ontario, British Columbia, Manitoba and New Brunswick require front plates (and New Brunswick is considering abandoning them).

Good to know ab......I have never noticed a car from another province, with only a rear plate. I don't know why, they don't require a front and back plate everywhere.

imidazol97

@driver100
I am not clear why the rear wireless camera has to be wire free. Why not wire a 12 volt power lead into the line for the rear lights on the licence plate? Or into a line for a marker bulb? That would have power but not necessarily during daylight. Hmmm. Does your car have autoleveling shocks on the rear?

The rear camera can transmit wirelessly to the receiver in the front of the vehicle obviating the need for wiring being run through the trunk, past the rear seat and to the front then up to the mirror area. But, the power to the rear camera would bypass needing a solar cell and controls for the charging--followed eventually by replacing the rechargeable battery which may not be an AAA or AA.

Also is there power to your mirror? Auto headlight sensor in the mirror, e.g.? Or does it have auto dimming on the mirror when it senses light from the rear while sensing darkness through the windshield, telling it to use the electrochemical dimming layer? If there's 12 v up there, why not tap into that which would be powered whenever the car is turned on.

ab348

Power to the rear camera could be had by tapping into the backup light circuit. My backup camera only comes on when the car is put into reverse.

ab348

driver100 said:

Good to know ab......I have never noticed a car from another province, with only a rear plate. I don't know why, they don't require a front and back plate everywhere.

Cost of supplying 2 plates instead of 1, and since police are usually chasing cars instead of catching misdeeds with the offender driving towards them, it isn't particularly useful. In those places that require 2, many owners don't like the look of the front plate messing up the design and leave them off as well.

jmonroe1

driver100 said:

tjc78 said:

Driver, even with the wireless setup to the camera, the monitor can be hard wired.

Any decent stereo shop could run the wire and tap into a switched 12V source to power the monitor.

Not sure why you are having so much trouble finding someone.

tjc............thanks for the very valuable information. No one really explains that. The only store I can think of that sells backup cameras and where you could probably ask some questions...and they install is Best Buy. I'll go there after Black Friday is over. Another concern my wife just mentioned is, the monitor has to be small and indiscreet, so go where it won't be in the way.
*Also indie shops that sell audio or tinting etc., but, they usually have older stuff and charge more for it.

Your life would be so much simpler if you learned how to do your own wrenching when you were younger like some of us in here.

jmonroe

suydam

Life is much simpler paying someone else who knows what they’re doing. Speaking of Best Buy, visiting son declares the guest bedroom too cold, would like a space heater. It’s Black Friday, a day I never set foot in a mall if I can help it. But Best Buy has an order online, pickup in store service (as do many stores now) and is very close to me. Walk into the store, pickup line is right by the entrance, only one person in front of me. Show photo ID and walk out with item. Less than 10 minutes there and back. Very nice.

graphicguy

@roadburner ...them are some nice TVs you’re looking at. Q90s are around $2,200 and the 75” Sony 900 Series was around $1,800-$1,900 last I looked. The bigger screen would be tempting. I’ve always liked Sony’s picture processing, too!

My LG 65” C9 ran $2,050.

Again

oldfarmer50

suydam said:

Life is much simpler paying someone else who knows what they’re doing. Speaking of Best Buy, visiting son declares the guest bedroom too cold, would like a space heater. It’s Black Friday, a day I never set foot in a mall if I can help it. But Best Buy has an order online, pickup in store service (as do many stores now) and is very close to me. Walk into the store, pickup line is right by the entrance, only one person in front of me. Show photo ID and walk out with item. Less than 10 minutes there and back. Very nice.

Electric heaters are a bug for me. So much dishonest marketing. Any 1500 watt heater on a standard household circuit will put out about 5200 btus no matter how much you pay for it. Anything beyond the cheapest unit is a waste IMO.

qbrozen

oldfarmer50 said:

Wouldn’t make much of a show to have him breaking stuff, throwing tools and cursing.

Except that describes like 90% of “reality” TV.