Caveat Emptor

So I bought a new scanner/printer this week for a project I'm going to be working on in the near future. Excited? I think I am.

Some products come with "Hidden Costs" that sneak up on you, and by the time you realize your mistake it's too late for you to do anything about them. I, however, have discovered a new slant on this business practice. Let's call them "Idiot Costs".

These are things that you know you need to purchase, but somehow they escape attention until you're writing out the check. Example, you ask? I pick out the scanner/printer that I want, confident that it's in my price range. Oh, I need to pick up a USB cable for it as well? No prob, I'll grab one right now. Ink? Sure, better get some of that. So, merrily I walk off to the registers, my new toys in hand. As the cashier rings it all up, I'm still blissfully thinking I've come in under-budget. It's not until the national debt of Turkishwomenhaveallthefunistan comes up on the screen that I realize my error.

Idiot Costs. And I am their king.

Understand? Good, I'm glad you're coming along with me on this one.

Still, it's a nice set up that I've got, so I'm not really upset. One small complaint I do have is the packaging on my USB cable. You know the type...thick, tough plastic which has been hermetically sealed against the coming cockroach invasion. You basically need to have some wickedly sharp tool, with which you stab repeatedly in order to penetrate the plastic. Then, with the patience and deft touch of a master craftsman, saw like mad until you can pry the desired object out of the packing. At that point I'd give anything for those old cassette tape security frames.

And man, did those suck.