Magnetic Slime

         I’m not much of an on-line shopper. But this Christmas season I succumbed to some of FaceBook’s ads as they streamed through my brain and captured my interest. FaceBook (thinks it) knows me. It has been watching me for years now. When people put ads on FB they choose their target audience. I know this because I have occasionally placed ads to promote my blog. As far as their “accurate” profile of me, well FB has slotted me into a few pretty strange categories, but many of the products I’ve seen on my page are right down my alley. 

     My youngest granddaughter loves to make and play with “slime”. If you find her you find slime. So who could blame me when there it was - the perfect Christmas gift - MAGNETIC SLIME!

        And, as November wore on, a few more products looked pretty good, especially since I didn’t have to brave my way through crowds and malls to find them. The trouble is I’m still waiting for that slime to arrive. An e-mail says it’s on the way - from Laos. Maybe the magnetic ingredient triggered a customs panic. Or maybe it’s so small it got lost in the dark corner of a shipping container, never to appear at all. Tracking says it’s coming - maybe it’ll be a May birthday gift instead.

Of the five things I ordered in early November only one arrived before Christmas. One came on Wednesday after Christmas, another in the first week of January. Two are yet to arrive. The companies hooking you with their ads never tell you their product is being shipped on a slow boat from VietNam, or Laos, or China, or……… 

I think there’s an old song about a slow boat to China. Yep, Googled it - Bing Crosby, Peggy Lee…. But it was about love…. I’m wandering…. Traveling brain syndrome …..

I should have been suspicious I guess. Memories can be flighty but I remember some jewelry I ordered a few years back, again for Christmas. I had a choice for fast (on time for Christmas, $60) or regular ($6) shipping - from VietNam. But at least I knew. 

Shipping time is one part of the story, but a person also needs to be aware that shipping costs and exchange rates can nearly double the cost of your purchase. So, if you’re willing to pay double the price for some cool trinket for your grandchild (and what grandparent isn’t willing?) - go for it!

The other difficulty I’ve encountered with on-line shopping is that product representation may be a bit beyond reality. More quality can shine through on a product photo where less actually exists. So far, and I’m feeling a little lucky in this regard, I am more or less satisfied with the “stuff” I’ve received.  

There are sites where on-line shopping holds no surprises. I’m just not all that sure FaceBook ads are the best place to find them. I think I’ll stick with sites that state clearly where the product is being shipped from, can give an approximate arrival date, and clearly show shipping costs, taxes, etc. in Canadian dollars. Many people love on-line shopping, are even able to return goods successfully when the something is off, but there does seem to be another one of those learning curves involved in the process. 

“Never stop learning, Never stop learning! Never stop learning!”