Right...

[susandennis]

I'm coming to the end of my current afghan and trying to decide if I can work one more in before it gets too hot or if it's already time to switch to smaller, lighter Summer knitting. And, if it is time to switch, what's it going to be this year? I really do have enough socks and that sock yarn is just getting too expensive.

So, then I thought... Teddy Bears... And I found the cutest pattern.

$4.00 so I hit 'buy now'. There I was dragged through the most convoluted buying process on the web today. Why in the world do they need to know the name of my second cousin twice removed????? Holey crap. I am resigned to the fact that I have to create a new account on every freakin' web page in the world in order to spend my money with them, but really.... these folks are over the top. And then I get to the shipping screen where they tell me it will only be $5.00 to delivery my $4.00 item IF I am in the US. Right.

Years ago when websites were young and you could count the ones who actually sold stuff on one hand, there was a great site in New Zealand that sold knitting patterns. They totally had the right idea. You pay money and get a PDF of the pattern. That's all I need. That's all I want. A PDF that I can keep electronically, print out and scribble on. And get immediately. And a PDF that does not cost me FIVE FREAKIN' DOLLARS to get delivered!

holey crapoley. I sent them email but I don't suspect you will be seeing these bears on my knitting needles. I have a good pattern that I got from xara_, I think. I'll just use it again.

Comments

[artisanal_xara]

Hehe, I love knitting teddy bears. I haven't done one in a while, but you make me want to get back to it! My baby needs teddy bears!

[yesthatjill.livejournal.com]

Having two sisters delivering babies within two months of each other makes me NEED a pattern for knitted teddy bears. EEEEEEEEEee.

[jimcarson.livejournal.com]

>> Why in the world do they need to know the name of my second cousin twice removed?????

To unleash the relationship marketing hounds on your second cousing twice removed.

I had the same issues with trying to buy a $4.00 bag of chipotles (http://www.jimcarson.com/a/2005/05/top_ten_web_ann.shtml) last week. Not only did they insist I create a userid (like I buy chipotles all the time), but their shipping also doubled the price. In the case of your PDF, it's doubly ridiculous because even if they mailed the printout, it's $0.13 for an envelope and $0.37 for a stamp.

[susandennis]

I remembered your adventures as soon as I saw that $5.00 shipping.

And now there is more. I sent a Surely, You jest... email off (including the item I wanted, the outrageous shipping fee, my annoyance at having to supply a blood sample to order a $4.00 item and my newly created account id) and fairly quickly got a reply that should not have surprised me... She went on and on explaining the shipping charge with arguments that no one I know would ever buy and then... this is the really good part... she asked for my zip code!!!!!!

I guess we should all be grateful she's running a knitting business and not a nuclear waste depot.