We're Paying for Stuff We Don't Need

And it's getting harder to do anything about it.

Big pickup truckPhoto byVadym KudriavtsevonUnsplash

Years ago, I remember a TV ad for a big pickup that said they were catering to the 1% of truck owners that were hard to please. The ad went on to state the truck had certain capabilities that only 1% of buyers would use. The company also indicated they catered to the hard to please customer.

So, if I just wanted a basic truck and wasn’t a pain in the rear to deal with, why would I want to deal with them?

And here’s the real kicker…

If a truck had features I was unlikely to need, why would I buy it? I figure that those extra features added to the cost of the truck, so why should I pay more for stuff I wouldn’t need?

It’s another case of the 99% subsidizing the 1%

As in other cases in life, 99% are paying for stuff only 1% use. Ah, the American way.

It’s unusual for a company to be so blatant in letting consumers know they are trying to sell them stuff they probably won’t use. But car manufacturers and other companies sell stuff to consumers that they can’t use all the time. And we have no choice in the matter.

I hate my car’s entry system

Recently the battery on my car’s fob died. And there isn’t an easy way to enter the car with a key. After I McGyvered my way in manually, with the help of a good Samaritan, I set off the alarm in my car when I tried to start it while in a store’s parking lot. I tried to reopeatedly to get the car started, without success. And finally, after about a half an hour the car started, and I have no idea why.

Even now, whenever I make a turn, my door ajar buzzer goes off. And I paid extra money for this type of aggravation.

I even miss the ability to roll down my car windows manually. It’s only a matter of time before I have issues with those windows and have to shell out hundreds of dollars.

Technology has leveled the playing field when it comes to DYI auto repair

When I was growing up, some guys could do their own auto mechanic word. Now, with the advent of sensors and computerized diagnostic systems, shade tree mechanics have been phased out to some extent.

Most of us are now at the mercy of automobile manufacturers, but fortunately, they are a merciful bunch. Right.