Monday June 4, 2007
The fun event of the day was the arrival of a package from China, containing a state-of-the-art valve Darkvoice [tube] headphone amplifier Graham had ordered a week ago. We’d been tracking it on the TNT site step by step, day by day, and getting quite excited by it. This morning, just about mid-day, I checked into the website again, to find that the package had left Bristol at 05:26 ‘for delivery’.
“When do you think it may come?” Graham asked.
“Oh, in about 15 seconds.”
“Don’t be daft.”
At which point the doorbell rang, announcing the arrival of the TNT guy.
“How the hell did you do that?” Graham said.
“Oh. Nothing special. I just looked out of the window.”
The amplifier is incredibly good and it’s exceeding cool to be able to order a product direct from a tiny company in China and have it arrive here in Britain in less than a week. That’s the kind of world in which I like to live.
The puzzling thing, though, is the shipping charge, made in US dollars. It was about a third less than it would have been had we ordered a package of the same weight and dimensions from the USA. In fact, it cost about the same as it would have done from anywhere in Europe. I don’t think the USA is doing itself any favours by this hidden trade tariff.
Hey ho.
Other than that, a lovely day spent mostly in house and garden. Graham cut the grass. Dolly approved, but did her best to avoid showing it.
Dolly approved
The author, webmaster, and minder of the cat
14 responses so far ↓
Jim in Vegas // June 5, 2007 at 10:07 am
That’s a great Dolly shot! I routinely order things from China and they arrive quicker and at a lower cost than from right here in the USA. I’m a citizen of the world like you John, and proud of it.
Brigitte // June 5, 2007 at 10:44 am
Ohh Dolly…….!!!!!
David Giles // June 5, 2007 at 11:23 am
I see were the “mega-cat” name comes from ,
i don’t think i’ve ever ordered anything from china, I thought it would take ages.
Bonnie // June 5, 2007 at 12:20 pm
The picture brought the second smile after the 15 second arrival..
Wendy, NC // June 5, 2007 at 12:58 pm
Dolly may approve, but Graham must still be punished for his long absence. Can’t be letting him get away with things like that.
Jim // June 5, 2007 at 1:07 pm
Wonderful picture of Dolly!
Mary Lee // June 5, 2007 at 3:02 pm
It has long been my theory that US shipping costs are carefully engineered to cover any profits that are figuratively lost in any and all ‘reduced rates, special savings, 10 to 20% off,” etc. offerings. In short, all bargains are canceled out by the horrendous shipping/packing/mailing.
Dolly is looking her usual gorgeous self there, posing imperiously for her admirers.
gary // June 5, 2007 at 3:10 pm
Gorgeous cat and plant!!!
louphoria // June 5, 2007 at 5:01 pm
I did a quick spot of googlidge on the DarkVoice jobbie - wow, I would *love* to hear what that sounds like, I hadn’t even heard of such a thing before today, you learn somethin’ new ay? Thanks guys
Niki // June 5, 2007 at 8:02 pm
You absolutely must put that photo in a silver frame. It’s looks like an oil painting. Dolly is beautifully groomed. Is that a daily ritual?
oldgreypoet // June 5, 2007 at 9:53 pm
Oh, Dolly gets a daily grooming, Niki, even if it’s only a hurried affair. With a coat like that it’s an essential, especially in moulting seasons (spring and autumn). Also, in hot weather. We’re forecast to have a hot few days and I’ve given her a real thorough groom this evening in readiness.
The Darkvoice amplifier is pretty much burned in now (that’s a valve[tube] term) and is singing effortlessly through our AKG headphones. It’s a clever copy of an old Murphy circuit and is truly, truly excellent. Somehow, valves are more musical than transistors; or it might be that the programmers of transistor/digital circuitry don’t generally appreciate musicality.
Joan // June 6, 2007 at 5:10 am
I’ve ordered things from various places, through Ebay and other sources, from Cairo Egypt, Finland, Hong Kong and I think one from Beijing, a small dragon/turtle sculpture. No problems with any of their arrivals.
Lilly // June 10, 2007 at 4:29 am
is dolly a main-coon cat?
I enjoy your writing and also hearing about your relationship
Cork // March 27, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Dolly looks like a coon cat!! My friend has a coon cat that is quite large and built just like Dolly. Anyway, dolly’s a beaut.
Cork
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