Reflecting on bargains

I just noticed the Walmart has an anti fog shaving mirror for $5.49.  The same ad says they will hang it for me for $65.00.

John F Dean wrote:I just noticed the Walmart has an anti fog shaving mirror for $5.49.  The same ad says they will hang it for me for $65.00.

One nail.

Does that include the cost of the 'call out' (transport time to your place and back)?  That's usually extra.  

15-30 min talking to the human, putting plastic slippers on their boots, etc.  
2 min getting the blasted stud finder to work
1 min hanging
10 min making noises and stuff so it seems like you are doing work
another 15 min undesired social interaction.

That's $20 labour and times that by five to pay for the company, car and wear and tear on the tools...

$65 is a great price for that service.  

I wish I could say this was a joke, but when questioning a manager at a very similar shop, he spelled out how the cost was assessed.  A lot of it goes towards lonely people needing to talk.  Very few people grunt and point.  

(pro tip, most library memberships include free classes on how to do basic home stuff like safely hanging a mirror - way more reliable than youtube which can be hit and miss when it comes to safety.  Although the stud finder is needed in the bathroom due to plumbing and electricity being common in the walls, so an extra few bucks.)

Pearl, you are challenging my respect for you!  The ad clearly shows a sticky tab.  Do you have any idea how difficult it is to use a sticky tab?  One must first peal off the backing and then press it to the wall.  I am surprised they don’t charge double.

John F Dean wrote:Pearl, you are challenging my respect for you!  The ad clearly shows a sticky tab.  Do you have any idea how difficult it is to use a sticky tab?  One must first peal off the backing and then press it to the wall.  I am surprised they don’t charge double.

NO NAIL?

surely, that's not earthquake proof.  

r ransom wrote:putting plastic slippers on their boots

!! I have NEVER seen that. Lord knows it would be a good thing sometimes.

Oh my - in EARTHQUAKE country??? You'd need a lot more than either a sticky tab hook or a nail to meet code. You need 8 of those fancy mirror clips screwed into studs for sure. (Maybe only 6 if the mirror was really small.)

Yes, I do sit very near the New Madrid fault line. Tremors are common enough that they barely get noticed. Early one mornin* our house shook, waking my wife. She asked me what that was.  I told her earthquake, so she went back to sleep.

John F Dean wrote:Yes, I do sit very near the New Madrid fault line. Tremors are common enough that they barely get noticed. Early one mornin* our house shook, waking my wife. She asked me what that was.  I told her earthquake, so she went back to sleep.

Sticky tabs and earthquakes are a questionable combination.....sticky tabs, earthquakes, and legendary humidity is at 'another level'.  Plaster and lathe or drywall base wall?  Maybe put the sticky tab hanger on and then re-inforce with a few self-drilling screws??...

I hear you on the need for a new mirror or image station over the sink.  My eyes have gotten so bad the single bulb over the medicine cabinet is now pretty useless when shaving.  Considering now a long strip of hanging, self-powered 'vanity' lights that could be centered on, and hanging over on each side, of the medicine cabinet.  Without it lately my shaving jobs look like I used the hedge trimmer.... :-/

Jay Angler wrote:Oh my - in EARTHQUAKE country??? You'd need a lot more than either a sticky tab hook or a nail to meet code. You need 8 of those fancy mirror clips screwed into studs for sure. (Maybe only 6 if the mirror was really small.)

Don't you have to put an "X" of masking tape on it like in WWII? I mean, that glass could be deadly shrapnel if an earthquake hit while you were shaving.

r ransom wrote:$65 is a great price for that service.  

I wish I could say this was a joke, but when questioning a manager at a very similar shop, he spelled out how the cost was assessed.  A lot of it goes towards lonely people needing to talk.  Very few people grunt and point.  

There is truth in that, sadly.

Bargains are in the eye of the beholder.

As I always tell dear hubby, it doesn't hurt to try.