Fussy
Im fussy over what I buy, although I prefer to say Im being particular. Merchants probably prefer to say Im a real pain.When I buy stock, Ill often go through…
Im fussy over what I buy, although I prefer to say Im being particular. Merchants probably prefer to say Im a real pain.When I buy stock, Ill often go through the whole rack to find the best pieces. Ill do this whether Im at a Big Box store (where I do the digging myself and always put back what I dont want), or at my local hardwood monger, where what I want may be underneath another stack. Fortunately, my hardwood guy only sells wood as a sideline its actually a large cabinet/millwork place and hes always welcome for the break and an opportunity to chat. Plus, he loves using a forklift.
The main reason I do this should be obvious: I want the best I can get for the money. Why should I pay X-dollars for a piece of hardwood with flaws Ill have to work around when I can pay the same price for another piece from the same rack that lacks the flaws? I easily spent a half hour with the guy one day last week for just the right quantity, and quality, of walnut.
But I dont do this just for lumber. This morning I bought some fabric for a shirt I want to sew (yes, I sew), and did some grocery shopping. I needed three yards of the fabric and insisted on rolling it out to check all 9 feet of it before the clerk cut it off the bolt for me. At the grocery, I took my time picking over the bananas, broccoli and tomatoes to get the best ones. There was a grocery clerk in the produce section and he kept watching me with undisguised disdain as I dug through the veggies (although, again, I left each batch of produce pretty much as I found it just as I do with a lumber rack).
My wife and I bought our spring plants and flowers this weekend, and I did the same thing. Sally can take forever shopping, but even she was eager for me to just pick a few tomato plants so we could go. Nor can I blame her; I really can take a long time.
I search for the best, get my moneys worth, and achieve the best results from what I buy. It doesnt matter if its lumber or lemons, tires or a garden hose.
But at least Im consistent.
Till next time,
A.J. Hamler is the former editor of Woodshop News and Woodcraft Magazine. He's currently a freelance woodworking writer/editor, which is another way of stating self-employed. When he's not writing or in the shop, he enjoys science fiction, gourmet cooking and Civil War reenacting, but not at the same time.