How difficult it is to buy some batteries!

Posted on 2009/10/02 09:24:52 (October 2009).

Yesterday I tried to buy some batteries at Maplin. I receive their monthly newsletter and this month they have an offer on lithium AA's. Being a bit of a geeky nerd (when no one's looking!) I like to see what else they might have on offer, so I dared to actually look at something else when I entered the shop...

Poof! Like a genie from a bottle a blue-picque polo-shirt wearing assistant appeared to ask if I needed help. Fair enough, it's their shop and I'm on their property, so I offer a polite no thanks, just browsing, if that's ok of course? Yes sure, I'm told. Less than 30-seconds later a different polo-shirt pounces. No thanks, I say again with a jaunty smile, deciding not to go any further. Then, within less than yet another 30-seconds I'm pounced on again by a third assistant. This time I'm standing next to an external NAS HD caddy.

"You're interested in NAS, are you?" the spikey-haired polo-shirt asks. "Just looking, thanks" I smile back. This time somewhat cheesed-off and the smile a bit plastic as so far I've not really had a chance to look at anything. "Only I know a lot about networking," the polo-shirt tells me with a grin. So do I, I think but refrain from saying. I turn back to the display hoping he'll be kind enough to take a hint. "Actually I'm what you might call a network-geek, so if you need to know anything then I have the answers!" the shirt cheerfully persists. Really? I wonder. I guess Maplin's training is better than I realised.

I say a flat "Oh thank you." turn away with a totally fake expression of gratitude and head for the exit.

Stuff the batteries!

Hi Nigel - next time I'd get a pack of Duracells from the corner shop if I were you :-)

Posted by Bryan at 2009/10/02 10:31:04.

Hi Bryan! Yes, sometimes the simple way is the one we forget in our pursuit of making life "easier"... ! :-))

Posted by Nigel at 2009/10/02 19:37:57.

Hi Bryan! Yes, sometimes the simple way is the one we forget in our pursuit of making life "easier"... ! :-))

Posted by Nigel at 2009/10/02 19:37:59.

Excellent narrative, Nigel! Ought to be in a film script!

"plastic smile"! 's a good one! :-D

Posted by Sheri at 2009/10/08 10:26:35.

Sheri: Have you ever listened to the KINKS "Plastic People"? Great song, in a way they coined the concept of plastic smiles too...

Nigel: How about every time you run out of batteries you actually buy a new DEVICE? I'd love that :D

Posted by Lox at 2009/10/08 11:16:47.

Sheri: Ha!! I would have to have some horrible fate befall the spikey-haired one!! :-))

Lox: Now THAT IS a GOOD IDEA!!! :-D

Posted by Nigel at 2009/10/09 21:10:37.

Post a comment