Brandon's 2002 Consumer Report
Brandon g
This life is fraught with tough choices. I'm not even sure if 'fraught' is a word, and if so, how to spell it. Anyway, among those tough choices that are 'fraught,' the most damaging can be choices you make when you buy something. With advertising as advanced as it is, just walking into Best Buy can ensure that you don't ever get to retire. To help consumers, here is my 2002 Consumer Report. All the computer stuff (in the left column) is taken from Best Buy as of November, 2002. None of the pictures on this page are mine. Shop smart!
Price: $649.99
![]() |
OR |
![]() |
Sony Mavica MVC-CD400 Digital Camera |
Stormtrooper Armor |
Oh my gosh!!! Do you even need to ask this question? Give me the Stormtrooper armor right now. I'll wear it forever. I'll even go to the bathroom in it. I'll pick up chicks in it. Stormtrooper chicks.
Price: $2,499.99
![]() |
OR |
![]() |
1.33GHz Toshiba Portege Tablet PC |
A Life-Size, Talking Pirate |
BUT WAIT!!! THAT'S NOT ALL!! Act now and we'll throw in ANOTHER PIRATE!!!
Wow, this is a tough one. It wouldn't be that hard if it was just one pirate, but it's not. And look at that second pirate--I mean, he's hanging from a rope. Of course, the second one doesn't talk, but I can't imagine too much that you could do with two talking pirates that you couldn't do with one. The laptop is nice, but would be obsolete in about three weeks. In fact, it's probably obsolete right now as I'm writing this. The pirates win.
Price: $249.99
![]() |
OR |
![]() |
Universal BUSlink Internal DVD+RW/CD-RW Drive |
A Blenderphone |
Wow. A Blenderphone. The phone's ringer is actually wired into the blender's motor so you can make margaritas whenever people call. Seeing as I already have a phone, and I don't really have much use for a blender, I think I'll stick with the DVD writer, so I can, uh, make back-up copies.
Price: $379.99
![]() |
OR |
![]() |
Mitsubishi DiamondPoint 15" LCD Flat-Panel Monitor |
REO Speedwagon Hi-Infidelity Tour Jacket |
Hmm... I dunno, I'll take the Monitor. That jacket sucks.
Price: $149.99
![]() |
OR |
![]() |
Casio Cassiopeia BE-300 PDA |
Danelectro Reel Echo Tape Simulator |
Another tough choice. I don't want a PDA, because then everyone would get on my case. They'd tell me to meet them for lunch, and then say "Why don't you put that in your Palm Pilot?" The only reason I'd want a PDA is to play minesweeper. On the other hand, I was unable to actually find out what the Danelectro thing actually did. From what I could figure out, it makes your guitar sound like it's coming through a real ghetto amp. Well, I already have a real ghetto amp, so I don't know that the Simulator would do me any good. I guess I'd take that over the PDA, though, just so I can impress the Stormtrooper chicks with my mad ghetto guitars skills.
Price: $13.99
![]() |
OR |
![]() |
Now Or Never album by Nick Carter Serving size: 1 CDServings per purchase: 1 Calories: 0 Calories from fat: 0 Total fat: 0 Saturated fat: 0 Cholesterol: 0 Sodium: 0 Dietary fiber: 0 Total sugars: 0 |
14 Grilled Sourdough Burgers from Burger King Serving size: 127 gServings per purchase: 14 Calories: 5320 Calories from fat: 2800 Total fat: 476 g Saturated fat: 84 g Cholesterol: 630 mg Sodium: 6020 mg Dietary fiber: 14 g Total sugars: 28 g |
The burgers win every time. Carter won't make you fat, but he might cost you your very soul.
So, that's it. That should be all the information you need to make responsible decisions as consumers. If you want more information on consumer interests, this site is great.




























