Just a quick few points while I work on a more complicated post that’s (inevitably) transport related…
Shopping bags
Many major retailers are phasing out single-use plastic bags. Or to be precise, they’re phasing-out free bags.
- Woolworths: 20/6/2018
- Coles, Target, Big W: 1/7/2018
- Aldi never gave away bags.
- K-Mart is phasing out free bags during 2018-19.
This is not the first time Target has tried this. They stopped issuing free plastic bags in 2009, but brought them back in 2013. Part of the problem seemed to be that the bags they sold were the same as the previously free ones they’d given away. Other retailers sell higher quality bags.
An outright ban has been in place for all retailers in NT, Tas, SA and ACT, plus Qld and WA joined them on 1st July, which no doubt is why the retailers have pushed ahead. Victoria is set to follow at some stage. Unclear what NSW will do.
I’m happy to see this change. Yet there’s been some unbelievably ridiculous hand-wringing from some quarters:
So plastics bags are now a matter of right/left combat. Of course. https://t.co/gkbJDp3Xvi
— Alan Kohler (@AlanKohler) June 26, 2018
C’mon. If you still want a bag, it’s typically just 15 cents to buy one. FIFTEEN CENTS! That’s just one percent of a $15 shop.
For me, the only behaviour change is I now stuff a green bag into my work bag, so I have it for my detours to the supermarket on the way home.
We’ll all adapt. In fact, at this IGA at Nagambie (snapped on 30th June, before Coles switched) the locals seemed to be coping without any fuss whatsoever.
Image may be NSFW.
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Dish washer
The Fisher and Paykel dishwasher, which had been in my house since I moved here in 2005, broke down again.
I’d previously thought that, given it was a pretty old model (circa 2000), I’d replace it the next time it failed, so that’s what I did, and found a good price on a Bosch.
Why Bosch? The Bosch washing machine I bought nine years ago hasn’t skipped a beat, and they also rate very well on the Choice web site (which is well worth joining if you’re grumpy that The Checkout hasn’t been renewed).
I paid the installation fee. While it didn’t take long, it was satisfyingly complex enough that I’m glad I did.
Dishwashers aren’t for everybody, but I hate washing dishes, so for me, this is money well spent.
Image may be NSFW.
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The new car arrived
I picked up the new car last night. That’s it above.
I suspect the web has changed the shopping experience. I no longer go and look around car dealerships unless I already know what I want.
The car dealers I’ve dealt with during this saga seem less slimy than the ones I encountered the first time I bought a car.
When scouring Carsales, I had pondered that if I saw the perfect deal somewhere out in the country, I’d be willing to go to grab it. In the end I bought from a local dealership, which will make servicing it with them to maintain the warranty much easier.
In fact as part of the handover, they showed me where the service area is, and how the after hours drop-off/pick-up works. Clever. The chief service guy there recognised me from when he used to work on my old Magna years ago. Heh.
The dealer bloke showed me the basics of the car, then sent me on my way.
Amusingly/horrifyingly I scraped the bottom of the steep driveway just exiting the dealership. Can’t see any visible marks. Also amusingly, I thought the engine was revving loudly on the drive home, until I realised it was in Sports mode, not Drive. Oops.
Today I’ve sat in the car for a while with the manual and figured out all the controls. Or at least, the important ones.
The psychology of buying a new car and wanting to drive places is powerful.
Anyway, I like it so far, though I could do without the spoiler, which I don’t think helps visibility out of the back window. Perhaps I should have asked if the car was available without it.