CIMPLE – A Curious Introvert's Musings & Photos about Life and Enjoyment

Brand loyalty and ice storms. I think we set a record with three ice storms in two weeks and we have probably set another record on the number of text messages and cancellations concerning our new stove purchase.

We’ve lost count, but do believe there have been over 30 text messages and ten delivery date cancellations. They haven’t broken our spirit though, as for a brief moment we believe the new delivery date in every text.

Being someone who is a strong believer in brand and customer loyalty and trying to buy Union-Made In American products and support local businesses,

it hasn’t been easy watching how much has changed over the decades. It definitely hasn’t happened as quick as our February freeze and melt schedule,

but we lost some wonderful local businesses when the big box retail stores moved in and now we’re seeing the end of our traditional malls and some of those big box stores due to online shopping. There are endless debates about the global economy, big box stores and Amazon and I’m discovering as more of my favorites disappear and the quality of service and products worsens that I’m unwilling to begin new mediocre or miserable consumer relationships until items are officially beyond repair.

Any major household items we have had to replace recently have not been even close to the quality of the the very old items and with parts no longer available for our Jenn-Air stove built in the ‘80s, I’m being forced to buy a new downdraft stove and brand. I’ve been saying for months we can live without a stove and wouldn’t it be more fun to buy another wonderful Apple or Nikon product, but that seems to ruffle some feathers as not everyone shares my beliefs.