The Jaguar XJL - Better than Sex!

Maybe I shouldn’t listen to audio books in the car anymore. Because how could I have failed to notice the Jaguar XJL? Two days ago, I saw it for the first time, and it took my breath away. Just look at that back end, those taillights and the jaguar leaping across the trunk. I haven’t been this excited about a car in years! (Back in my early 20s, I lusted after the Jaguar XKE. But that was probably as much about the guy across the street who drove one, as it was about the car.)

Anyway, this magnificent machine is absolutely beautiful, and it has all the muscle I need in its 385 horsepower 5.0L V8. I think it looks best in black, but I like the dark blue, too. The interior is fantastic, with all kinds of extras. But it was the sleek exterior styling that made me wish I was a car thief. The only drawback, aside from the price, is the mileage – only 16 in the city and 23 on the highway. But that’s a small price to pay for something this smokin’ hot.

Alas, I’ll be driving it only in my dreams, because the XJL costs $80,000. I always swore that even if I became wealthy, I’d never pay that kind of money for a vehicle. But this car has made me realize just how narrow-minded I’ve been. Now I’m going to start looking for a job again. Age discrimination be damned – I’m coming out of retirement. I want an XJL!

Now you’ll have to excuse me while I take a cold shower!

Photo by: natetherobot©
Title: Jaguar XJ
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34888294@N02/4338872050/

The Jaguar XJL - Better than Sex!

My Hair Fell Out After Using Wen by Chaz Dean!

For years, I’d heard good things about the hair products from Wen by Chaz Dean. Well, last month I decided to try it, and I ordered the Sweet Almond Mint Cleansing Conditioner. It arrived, on June 10 or 11, and I used it within a couple of days. I was very happy with the initial result. My hair was much less frizzy, even in the hot and humid weather we were having. And it looked great.

Unfortunately, about two weeks after using the stuff, I started noticing more hair than usual in my brushes. It seemed odd to me, but I wasn’t overly concerned. Then, as the days went on, there were long hairs all over my shoulders. Starting to suspect the Wen product, I decided to do a little research on the internet.

That’s how I discovered that hair loss is a known problem with some Wen products. When I called to cancel future shipments, the guy asked me why I was cancelling. Then, after I told him about the hair loss and asked why they don’t have a warning label on the products, he quickly turned me over to a ”specialist”. She asked me when the hair loss started and if it had stopped yet. She told me to stop using the product and that they’d immediately credit my account for the shipment that was enroute to me. She never admitted that the Company is aware of the problem. I’m guessing their attorneys don’t want it discussed with the victims.

Well, this is crap! For Wen to completely ignore this is unconscionable. I realize that not everybody loses hair from Wen products. But there are enough of us who have lost hair to require, at the very least, a warning on the label. And, for starters, we should also get our money back.

Here’s what you can do: Call the FDA (cosmetic area) at 888-723-3366 and file a complaint. In my case, the woman at that number directed me to the local FDA person in the Detroit metro area. If you’re in southeastern Michigan, that number is 313-393-8189. We shouldn’t put up with this kind of corporate disregard for our health and wellbeing. By ignoring all the complaints, Wen is acting like the Toyota of the cosmetics industry. And it’s got to stop!

Photo by: SCA Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget©
Title: Woman Washing Her Hair
Location: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hygienematters/4505231340/

My Hair Fell Out After Using Wen by Chaz Dean!

Costco Carpet - Not Such a Good Deal

Let me start by saying that I absolutely love Costco. It stands behind its products, is an excellent employer and is a good corporate citizen. But we learned to be very careful when buying carpeting, which is sold from one of the kiosks that are lined up on the way out of the stores. Our first experience with a product from a kiosk was window treatments. We bought Hunter Douglas blinds last year and were very satisfied with the product and the price. So, when we decided to get new carpeting, we went back to the Costco kiosks. We were in for quite a surprise.

The way Costco sells carpeting is through “designers” with whom it contracts. The designers go to a customer’s home, measure and help the customer select an appropriate carpet. In our case, the first problem was that our designer over-measured our carpeting by 405 square feet! For those of you who aren’t paying attention, that’s a 20’ x 20’ room! And as she measured, she mentioned that she’d won awards for her measuring. I’ll bet.

Then she detailed the $13,600 cost, which included $39 per room for moving a maximum of five pieces of furniture; $400 for labor on the stairs (curved staircase), $115 for the staircase spindles and $1,168 to remove our existing carpeting. Oh, and they tacked on a $10 fuel charge. Wouldn’t you think that on an almost $14,000 order, they could waive their stinking fuel charge?

Needless to say, we didn’t get the carpeting from Costco. We spoke with an owner of a local floor covering store, and he told us that he’d had other customers complain that a Costco designer had over-measured their homes. (The over-measuring may be a problem in this area only – we don’t know.) Anyway, we ended up getting comparable carpeting for almost $3,000 less from Georgia Quality Carpet Outlet in Holly, MI (http://www.georgiaqualitycarpetoutlet.com/). So if you need carpeting, check out Georgia Carpet’s website. If they have what you want, call their installer, Bill O’Neal, at 810-234-8318. He’ll give you an even better price than you’ll get in the store.

So now I’m wondering if Costco compares actual carpet purchases with customer appointments booked. I suspect that Costco’s designers’ rip-off installation fees and, if applicable, over-measuring could be driving potential customers away. Hey, Costco, it might be beneficial to know what percentage of appointments result in a sale. This time, you might be in for a surprise.

Photo by: Sandy Laurence©

Costco Carpet - Not Such a Good Deal