My Technology Quest

I stumbled into Barnes and Noble today to check out the Color Nook E-Reader.  They have several tables reserved to showcase this fancy electronic device.  What would make it even better would be some chairs at the tables so you can really get comfortable during your review/contemplation of purchase period.  You could bring your own folding lawn chair, but it might not be welcome.

That Color Nook even has Internet capabilities.  So, I cracked open my email, surfed the web, read a few blurbs from the New York Times and then……I found out the Nook has apps, people.  Angry Birds is my new favorite game.  You can whip those suckers all over the place and knock things down.  If reading in color wasn’t enough, this Angry Birds app was enough to seal the deal.  Then I perused the Nook Color covers on the adjacent wall.  I liked the vivid orange one.  I also liked the bright, bright kiwi green one.  You need a cover, don’t you?  $85 for these covers.  I don’t need a cover.  So, just as I was about to give the “Go-Ahead” to the clerk, who I might add was hot on my heels through the entire review and contemplation period, it hit me….You really want an iPad, don’t you?  Yes, yes, I do!

So, I carefully caught my own attention and skated toward the door to slide over to the Apple store.  That place is great fun, people.  What isn’t fun is the swarm of employees who tend to sidle up next to you with, “Do you have any questions?” and “If you get this you really want to think about getting the 64 gig, 3G with Wi-Fi.  This way you can be connected anywhere Verizon or AT&T has coverage.”  Mmm Hmmm… My irritation level skyrocketed, people. Why do these workers have to take all the joy out of this fantasy fun electronics shopping trip?  Yet, I am intrigued.  I stifle my irritation and ask, “What’s the cost difference?”  Then it happened.  My jaw….hit the floor…. Only $330 more than the Plain Jane $499 16 gig Wi-Fi only model I was warming up to.

So, not one to be ordered around I figured I just show this employee and not buy anything.  Throwing a tantrum seemed out of place, but highly desirable. So, I stomped out the front door technology less.  But don’t worry people.  I will be back!  I will soon have a portable Internet consumption device!  Of course, the real issue here is what kind of a person is pushed over the edge by suggestive selling?  - I think I may be the only one in my world who is so easily irritated with things so trivial.  Maturity is a characteristic yet to be acquired.