Totally False Advertising

The Chef's Choice Cordless Electric Hot Pot (Model 675) seemed to be exactly what I needed; an updated version of the classic without the coils in the pot itself.

It had a nice wide top and -- according to the photo on the box -- the lid opened very wide. I couldn't find one in-stock in any stores near me, so I ordered it online, based on the packaging and product writeup.

Take a look at the box photo; the lid opens to approximately 100-degrees, correct? i.e. It opens wider than the pot, making it very easy to see down into the pot, clean the pot, etc.

Now, take a look at the photo that I took of the actually product and the actual lid.

It only opens approximately 45-degrees. Making it somewhat difficult to reach down into and clean. The reality is not even close to what is pictured on the box. This irked me.

I visited the official Chef's Choice website. The only way to contact them was by phone. Fine. I called them.

Here is an abbreviated transcript of our call:

Nitpicky Consumer: Hey, I think my hot pot is defective; the lid doesn't open nearly as wide as it does on the photo on the package.

Chef's Choice: No, that's the way it works. The photo isn't an accurate depiction of the actual product. Is there anything else I can help you with today?

Nitpicky Consumer: So, you know that the photo isn't accurate?

Chef's Choice: Yes. Is there anything else that I can help you with today?

On one hand, I must applaud their blatant honesty is owning up to doctoring the image. On the other hand, I am feeling a little bit taken advantage of. However, as there seems to be no competitor in the market that is even close to the same design, I guess I am stuck with the lid I've got. At least it DOES actually boil water.

Maternity Swimsuits stank, UNTIL NOW

If you want to 'play' in the water, hang out at beach, etc., then you get a bathing suit. But if you want to really swim -- i.e. you want to swim laps -- then you get a swim suit. The most common, and arguably best brand (judging by the high percentage of people in the lap lanes wearing it) is Speedo. If I want to swim, it is guaranteed that I am wearing a Speedo (Super Proback, baby!)

At least, it was guaranteed until I got pregnant last year. Then Speedo let me down. They had no maternity suits. Not even one. I wrote them, they confirmed it, and they had no suggestions. I ended up ordering a maternity swimsuit from one of the myriad of maternity websites. It was crappy; I hated it; I lived with it.

I wrote the Olympic women's swim team, asking them where they got maternity suits. I figured they knew of some secret brand that was fabulous ...

I am certainly not an Olympic swimmer, but I have been a lap swimmer most of my life. I am now pregnant and trying to continue swimming. But I am having a terrible time finding a swimsuit. I can no longer crush myself into my racing Speedo, and Speedo has confirmed that they do not make maternity swimsuits. I have tried several suits from several different maternity stores, but they are junk. Absolute Garbage. They are made for bathing/wading/splashing .. not lap swimming.

It occurred to me that an Olympic level swimmer would not want to stop swimming, either, so I have found myself wondering where female Olympians have gotten good, lap-quality swimsuits.

Sadly, this was the wisdom I got back from them ...

Having just given birth I understand. I went with a larger Speedo suit! Way larger than I care to admit, but there is a suit out there that has a crossover back that I really liked it was loose and I was able to swim in comfort.

Hope that helps

Lindsay Mintenko
USA Swimming
National Team Managing Director

I wrote Speedo back and begged them to consider adding Maternity suits to their offering. I never heard back.

BUT NOW, five months later, Lo and Behold!
I just went to browse the Speedo website and what to my wondering eyes should appear but a big promo for NEW Speedo Maternity Swimwear! Hurrah!!

Of course, I'm not pregnant anymore to try them out. Hmmm. Guess it's time to try for Number 2!

The Economic Stimulus Check

The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 is now in full swing. Many American's, depending on their household income, have already received or can expect to receive, a 'rebate' of $300 - $1200.
As comforting as it is that President Bush firmly believes that these checks will solve all of our economic problems here in the USA, I must confess that I am skeptical.

Made-in-USA.org nails it on the head, in bold type at the top of their site this week:

Here is the place to use your Tax Rebate Stimulus Package money.
Patriots will always start their shopping with Made in USA products.
Boost our economy instead of China, as this program was intended.

But let's be real ... how many Americans are going to spend their stimulus checks solely on American-made goods? Heck, how many are going to do anything with it besides help offset the higher price of gas?

As a consumer, I'm certainly not going to refuse the check, but it just doesn't seem like the silver bullet the Administration is looking for.