Thursday, January 01, 2009

Terrible Tote Time

One would think buying a plastic tote would be such a simple task. I suppose if I wasn't such a bargain shopper this process could and would be super easy.

Several days ago we went to a local farm store to purchase the totes as listed in their flyer. Asked three people about them -which all three (including the cashier) assured us they had them. Well, the transaction was rung up and paid for...now the fun began looking for them. The loading dept guys thought we wanted 20 gallon horse feeding water buckets and this was what they were getting ready to load....finally convinced them of what we were looking for. Well, after all this -none were available. Got my money back!

Next day went to Wal-Mart and bought 4 - just like we wanted...not on sale- but we could live with the price.

Early this morning looked at the Lowe's ad - what was on sale - you guessed it, right! Plastic totes - 30 gallon size---just like what we needed to pack away all this Christmas decorating stuff.
So my sweet husband took his second cup of coffee with him and proceeded to drive into town. Now keep in mind, we live in the country - yes, you do drive into town...when you live in town you are automatically there.

Husband buys what we need and several more - well, yes quite a few more - a total of 15. We thought we would have plenty for the inside and outside decorations....save the rest for other things that come along that needs to be packed.


Got the first one out and it had a crack near the handle...well, I thought no problem as the crack was only 1 inch long and did not hurt anything. Started packing things in it and when I got ready to put the lid on - it did not fit. Reason why - the lid only sits on top -does not snap down. If the tote is really full the sides might be some what out of line -so then the lid certainly does not even sit on the top. They are very very flimsy - I suppose because they were made from recycled plastic...so much for "going green".


Well, I used 5 of these terrible totes...had to tie each lid on before we stored them in the storage shed.


You can be quite sure I am returning the rest to Lowe's and getting my money back. I would have taken all of them back but I wanted to get the decorations down and put away.

I suppose the lesson learned is being cheap can be costly in the long run!

15 comments:

Michelle said...

Don't you just hate it when bargains go bad? I feel your pain. God will bless you in other ways, you just wait and see!
Michelle

Scooterblu's Whimsy~Rhonda said...

Hi Amelia, When something like this goes wrong with me like this, my husband always says, You get what you pay for! I detest when he is right! LOL! I guess I have gotten many GOOD bargains, that more than make up for the not so good ones! LOL!

Hope you are having a great New Year and wishing you many blessings for the coming year! ~hugs, Rhonda :)

Amanda said...

How annoying. Are you talking about plastic boxes? I only know the term 'tote' in connection to bags.

Three Birds Inspired said...

Doesn't that just drive you crazy? All that time and effort and you end up with junk. I honestly would not survive without my platic totes. I use them in my sewing room, in the attic and in the basement! I usually buy the Sterlite brand as they are less expensive than Rubbermaid and do hold up well. I also like the clear bottoms so I can kind of preview what is inside. Hope you find decent ones that you like!

Norma said...

So much for recycled plastic....but just think, it can be recycled again when you dump it? At least I hope so, would be sad it it ended up in a landfill.

So, you get to drive into town again........and go to the thrift stores? Not all is lost, my friend!

Kristie said...

How terrible! I have a ton of totes to store my things in out in the outbuilding...I hate cheap totes! They are so bad to crack!
Kristie

julieQ said...

I recently bought some from Home Depot and got them home...only 2 lids were included with the 4 totes! Oh well...Hope you have a wonderful New Year!

Hazel said...

oh what a disappointment ,we went to Wal Mart yesterday and got some for our decorations .Now I know I got rid of a lot when we took them out so how come I had to buy more totes ,I swear I didn't buy any more decorations LOL .

Picket said...

Oh girl..I feel your pain...been there done that...only I would have taken them all back! lol Hope you had a great New Year's...I can't wait to see what it brings! Take care and have a wonderful weekend!

Empty Nest Full Life said...

Thanks for stopping by, and I know what you mean about the totes. It is so hard to believe that they change even those with the season. Never seems they have the same thing twice. Your quilts are beautiful. I love the one with the houses and trees. What a talent you have. Blessings. Jackie

Picket said...

Hey girl...I have been a chunky most of my life..never hope to be a twiggy..just want to lose some of it so I can do more things..I agree outside looks doesn't bring inner happiness..only God can give that..my sweet Bill has always made me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world (course I tell him it's that Gypsy potion I gave him when we first met! lol) I just gotta learn to cut back...it is hard especially when you have a large family like mine that looks for any excuse to get together and eat! lol lol Take care girl and have a great week!

Belvie said...

Is it disappointing when things like this happen! You would think the things wouldn't crack right away. Sounds like returning them is a good thing.

All the best to you in 2009!

Tardevil said...

I hear ya! They seem to be so much more expensive this year to me! I'm leaving you an award over at my blog! It took me all morning to find you!

Chanda said...

Sorry about your bargin. I have some of those same totes and I can't put much in them or the lids do the same thing. I wish I would have bought the giant oblong ones noe. The samll ones do stack nicly though.

Scooterblu's Whimsy~Rhonda said...

Hi Amelia, Just checking in to see if anything is new with you, and to say HI! Hope you are getting along well! ~hugs, Rhonda :)