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Today I bought some onions from a vendor at the Lauderdale County farmers market. They were priced at $1.00 per pound. He weighed them on his uncertified scalde at 2.5 pounds. When I hefted the bag, it did not feel like 2.5 pounds and I am very good at estimating weight. I took my purchase down to one of the vendors who has a brand new certified scale and weighed it there. It weighed 2.01 pounds. I did not go back to complain to the first vendor, but probably should have.

My experience illustrates the reason the Department of Agriculture officials initially instructed vendors at the market to obtain certified scales. Of course, the reason Ron Sparks backed off that position is because even though it is his job to enforce accurate weights and measures, he now wants another job--that of Governor--and he does not want to do anything that would alienate voters, even if it is the right thing to do.
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Let's see, according to my math, you paid an extra $0.49. That's quite a lot. Would it be better if the farmer just sais "$2.50 for the bag?" How many times ecah day do each of us spend $0.49 on things we don't even need? I, for one, appreciate the farmers who provide this service. Hey, you could just stop by Wal-mart and get your onions straight from Peru or Chile, or whatever other country they buy from. Whatever happened to supporting your local merchant? I really doubt this farmer you mentioned has retired due to his windfall income of $0.49. Get a life! These are hard-working people just trying to survive.
quote:
Originally posted by beternU:
Today I bought some onions from a vendor at the Lauderdale County farmers market. They were priced at $1.00 per pound. He weighed them on his uncertified scalde at 2.5 pounds. When I hefted the bag, it did not feel like 2.5 pounds and I am very good at estimating weight. I took my purchase down to one of the vendors who has a brand new certified scale and weighed it there. It weighed 2.01 pounds. I did not go back to complain to the first vendor, but probably should have.

My experience illustrates the reason the Department of Agriculture officials initially instructed vendors at the market to obtain certified scales. Of course, the reason Ron Sparks backed off that position is because even though it is his job to enforce accurate weights and measures, he now wants another job--that of Governor--and he does not want to do anything that would alienate voters, even if it is the right thing to do.


Give me your address and I'll send you 50 cents. I'd rather that 50 cents go to a farmer than to have to pay $2.00 extra just to help him pay for a set of certified scales. If government should be involved then they should PROVIDE those scales to every farmer's market -- one set that all farmers in it must use. I trust a farmer more than I trust our government -- even with that extra 50 cents.
Better doesn't need scales, he's so perfect he could look at and not even pick up those onions and tell you exactly how much they weighed!!
quote:
Originally posted by earthmomma:
There are two solutions to beternU's specific problem.One is that he stop going to the farmer's market. The other is that he buy only from those who have the certified scales. Possibly there is a third solution. He can take his own scales with him. Certified ones, of course!
Forty nine cents overcharge on my purchase is about 25 percent in excess of what it should have been. A 25 percent markup all day long is a pretty good enhancement of that farmer's profit. I suspect that those of you who are so enthusiastic about defending Farmer Brown would not be so generously disposed if you were being overcharged by Walmart, Southern Family or Foodland, or if your utility department miscalculated your electric bills buy that much.
quote:
Originally posted by paw-paw:
Let's see, according to my math, you paid an extra $0.49. That's quite a lot. Would it be better if the farmer just sais "$2.50 for the bag?" How many times ecah day do each of us spend $0.49 on things we don't even need? I, for one, appreciate the farmers who provide this service. Hey, you could just stop by Wal-mart and get your onions straight from Peru or Chile, or whatever other country they buy from. Whatever happened to supporting your local merchant? I really doubt this farmer you mentioned has retired due to his windfall income of $0.49. Get a life! These are hard-working people just trying to survive.


It just so happens that the onions were not grown locally. The vendor told me they came from Texas.
quote:
Originally posted by beternU:
Forty nine cents overcharge on my purchase is about 25 percent in excess of what it should have been. A 25 percent markup all day long is a pretty good enhancement of that farmer's profit. I suspect that those of you who are so enthusiastic about defending Farmer Brown would not be so generously disposed if you were being overcharged by Walmart, Southern Family or Foodland, or if your utility department
miscalculated your electric bills buy that much.




What is wrong with you? It was a local farmer. NOT a major retailer.

IT you want to throw such fits, you should stick to Wal-Mart, Foodland, etc.

GRIEF!
Somehow, I knew we had not heard the last of you on this matter. By your response when this first came up, I knew you would find a way to do the "I told you so" trip.
I would bet money that you made this a "mission". You probably never go to the Market.
How many legit purchases did you have to make BEFORE you got "ripped off"?
And you are a complete ass for not bringing it to the sellers attention.

ps... be sure and count the next package of toothpicks you buy...wouldn't want to get
749 when the count says 750.

Jeez....
quote:
Originally posted by beternU:
Forty nine cents overcharge on my purchase is about 25 percent in excess of what it should have been. A 25 percent markup all day long is a pretty good enhancement of that farmer's profit. I suspect that those of you who are so enthusiastic about defending Farmer Brown would not be so generously disposed if you were being overcharged by Walmart, Southern Family or Foodland, or if your utility department miscalculated your electric bills buy that much.


We already are overcharged at all of those places and yet we still shop there. We are overcharged on our utility bills and unless we can prove the error to get it corrected -- we must pay it. We can rant all we want -- it won't make Wal-mart charge any less for their product and they are required to use certified scales etc......so why should we complain about that extra 50 cents to Farmer Brown -- um, we shouldn't. If you want farm fresh products -- you get what you pay for and with a better attitude than you get at Box stores.
quote:
My experience illustrates the reason the Department of Agriculture officials initially instructed vendors at the market to obtain certified scales. Of course, the reason Ron Sparks backed off that position is because even though it is his job to enforce accurate weights and measures, he now wants another job--that of Governor--and he does not want to do anything that would alienate voters, even if it is the right thing to do.


Thank you for your post. While I don't agree with you, it is refreshing when people actually abmit their own incapability to take care of themselves and request that the government do it for them. Request a refund, request the onions be weighed again, or refuse to do business with that farmers' market. There are a number of options that YOU could take to deal with this. Instead, you feel it more appropriate that Ron Sparks forces this farmer to buy a scale that will allow you to comfortably know your onions' weight is accurate.
quote:
Originally posted by CageTheElephant:
Somehow, I knew we had not heard the last of you on this matter. By your response when this first came up, I knew you would find a way to do the "I told you so" trip.
I would bet money that you made this a "mission". You probably never go to the Market.
How many legit purchases did you have to make BEFORE you got "ripped off"?
And you are a complete ass for not bringing it to the sellers attention.

ps... be sure and count the next package of toothpicks you buy...wouldn't want to get
749 when the count says 750.

Jeez....


You certainly excel in ASSuming things. And you would lose your bet.

I was, in fact, considerate of the seller by not publicly bringing the matter to his attention. There were numerous people around who would have noticed the complaint. I may well go back there and try to counsel with the gentleman when there are not so many folks around. Under such circumstances, he will be more likely to be cooperative and appreciative. That is just human nature.

I visit the market at least weekly during months that it is open. This was no fishing expedition on my part.

I made only one other purchase, and that was from a vendor with certified scales.

Cooking up speculative scenarios, as you have done, and then couching your comments on the assumption that you are correct (when you are not) makes YOU look like the "complete ass" in this discussion.
quote:
Originally posted by gnostic nine:
quote:
Originally posted by beternU:
Forty nine cents overcharge on my purchase is about 25 percent in excess of what it should have been. A 25 percent markup all day long is a pretty good enhancement of that farmer's profit. I suspect that those of you who are so enthusiastic about defending Farmer Brown would not be so generously disposed if you were being overcharged by Walmart, Southern Family or Foodland, or if your utility department
miscalculated your electric bills buy that much.




What is wrong with you? It was a local farmer. NOT a major retailer.

IT you want to throw such fits, you should stick to Wal-Mart, Foodland, etc.

GRIEF!


GRIEF! yourself. What is wrong with YOU that you are content to be shorted when it is done by Farmer Brown? But if you don't care about getting what you paid for when you deal with the "little people," that is your right and your choice. I prefer that when I pay the price charged for something, I receive the value that is supposed to be given.
quote:
Originally posted by Eastside:
quote:
Originally posted by beternU:
Forty nine cents overcharge on my purchase is about 25 percent in excess of what it should have been. A 25 percent markup all day long is a pretty good enhancement of that farmer's profit. I suspect that those of you who are so enthusiastic about defending Farmer Brown would not be so generously disposed if you were being overcharged by Walmart, Southern Family or Foodland, or if your utility department miscalculated your electric bills buy that much.


We already are overcharged at all of those places and yet we still shop there. We are overcharged on our utility bills and unless we can prove the error to get it corrected -- we must pay it. We can rant all we want -- it won't make Wal-mart charge any less for their product and they are required to use certified scales etc......so why should we complain about that extra 50 cents to Farmer Brown -- um, we shouldn't. If you want farm fresh products -- you get what you pay for and with a better attitude than you get at Box stores.


WRONG. You don't "get what you pay for" when you are charged for more than you buy. Simple math and pure logic, there, Eastside. Too bad you can't comprehend that.
So let me sum this up. You go to a vendor without a certified scale in light of recent controversy. You buy onions that measure 2.5 lbs. on a scale you believe to be inaccurate. You believe they weigh less before paying but pay regardless. You walk down a few booths and weigh them to determine you are right. You come on a public forum and call him by name. All to avoid public humiliation. I bet he is very fond of your "discretion."
quote:
quote:
Originally posted by CageTheElephant:
Somehow, I knew we had not heard the last of you on this matter. By your response when this first came up, I knew you would find a way to do the "I told you so" trip.
I would bet money that you made this a "mission". You probably never go to the Market.
How many legit purchases did you have to make BEFORE you got "ripped off"?
And you are a complete ass for not bringing it to the sellers attention.

ps... be sure and count the next package of toothpicks you buy...wouldn't want to get
749 when the count says 750.

Jeez....

beternU:
You certainly excel in ASSuming things. And you would lose your bet.

I was, in fact, considerate of the seller by not publicly bringing the matter to his attention. There were numerous people around who would have noticed the complaint. I may well go back there and try to counsel with the gentleman when there are not so many folks around. Under such circumstances, he will be more likely to be cooperative and appreciative. That is just human nature.

I visit the market at least weekly during months that it is open. This was no fishing expedition on my part.

I made only one other purchase, and that was from a vendor with certified scales.

Cooking up speculative scenarios, as you have done, and then couching your comments on the assumption that you are correct (when you are not) makes YOU look like the "complete ass" in this discussion.


Considerate of the seller...but not the entire market?
Look at your heading: Ripped off at farmers market!
Ripped off...with exclamation mark...
Not, "Mistake made at Farmers Market"

You "may well" have gone back to the "Farmer Brown"...and informed us on the rest of the transaction...before reporting the "Rip Off".
RIPPED OFF?? merciful heavens, this serious offense should be reported to proper authority. .49 is probably going to break ol BerternU. I cerainly have been ripped off but if I consider the amount; it is very small conpared to real rip offs that occur quite often. Being charged a $95.00 service call and then charged $114.00 to fix a loose wire. That was a rip=off but I did not come on forum and cry and moan about it. Seems beteurnU has nothing to do so if he can't find grammer errors; he has to come up with something else. Maybe he needs to take a long walk on a short pier and chill out. I had him on ignore, but made the mistake of taking him off. Back on there for sure! Betrn; if you will send me pm with an address; i will send you .49 so you can eat this week.
quote:
Originally posted by wright35633:
So let me sum this up. You go to a vendor without a certified scale in light of recent controversy. You buy onions that measure 2.5 lbs. on a scale you believe to be inaccurate. You believe they weigh less before paying but pay regardless. You walk down a few booths and weigh them to determine you are right. You come on a public forum and call him by name. All to avoid public humiliation. I bet he is very fond of your "discretion."


Wrong. Wrong. And Wrong! I did not go to the market "in light of recent controversy." I have been patronizing this market since it opened sevaral years ago. I go there at least weekly.

"Farmer Brown" is a generic term; I have no idea who the gentleman with the defective scales was.

I did not "believe they weigh less before paying but pay regardless." I only suspected that they weighed less after I had paid and received them and then hefted the bag. And I did not believe the scale to be inaccurate until AFTER I had received and paid for the merchandise.

That pretty well disposes of your litany of incorrect ASSumptions, doesn't it?
quote:
Originally posted by Matted Down Weirdo:
I am certain the farmer would have been grateful to knew his scales were off so he could have attempted to fix the problem.


You might be right about that and you might be wrong. You have no way of knowing with certainty how he would have responded. Like others commenting here, you are making an assumption.
quote:
Originally posted by pooh's dad:
RIPPED OFF?? merciful heavens, this serious offense should be reported to proper authority. .49 is probably going to break ol BerternU. I cerainly have been ripped off but if I consider the amount; it is very small conpared to real rip offs that occur quite often. Being charged a $95.00 service call and then charged $114.00 to fix a loose wire. That was a rip=off but I did not come on forum and cry and moan about it. Seems beteurnU has nothing to do so if he can't find grammer errors; he has to come up with something else. Maybe he needs to take a long walk on a short pier and chill out. I had him on ignore, but made the mistake of taking him off. Back on there for sure! Betrn; if you will send me pm with an address; i will send you .49 so you can eat this week.


I did not come on the forum and "cry and moan." I factually described precisely what happened. Your characterization is no more than a small-minded and transparent device to lend strength to your otherwise weak and shallow argument.
Again Beter -- please give me your address and i will send you the 50 cents of "what you paid for" that you didn't get back to you. My point was you didn't want "peru's potatoes" you wanted "home grown" whether they were from Texas or Timbuktoo -- you chose to go to this vendor knowing his scales weren't certified and yet you paid for it anyway, instead of saying politely that you had changed your mind and walking away. YOu got what you paid for -- now had you said something then -- I'm sure the Farmer would have given you your money back or would have gladly added another onion to your pile, but you didn't give him the opportunity because you didn't want to seem like a jerk in public -- instead you come on here and do it. You are crying foul over 50 cents and that is what I think is petty. I am thankful for the opportunity to shop at a farmer's market -- and if people like you that love for the government to control our lives gets our way -- we won't have much of one left.
quote:
Originally posted by beternU:
quote:
Originally posted by Matted Down Weirdo:
I am certain the farmer would have been grateful to knew his scales were off so he could have attempted to fix the problem.


You might be right about that and you might be wrong. You have no way of knowing with certainty how he would have responded. Like others commenting here, you are making an assumption.


Yet you assumed that you were being kind to not embarrass him. I think you were trying not to embarrass yourself.
quote:
Originally posted by beternU:
quote:
Originally posted by Matted Down Weirdo:
I am certain the farmer would have been grateful to knew his scales were off so he could have attempted to fix the problem.


You might be right about that and you might be wrong. You have no way of knowing with certainty how he would have responded. Like others commenting here, you are making an assumption.



Lets be clear YOU mde the FIRST assumption of everyone when YOU assumed Mr. Sparks had a motive
quote:
Originally posted by Eastside:
quote:
Originally posted by beternU:
quote:
Originally posted by Matted Down Weirdo:
I am certain the farmer would have been grateful to knew his scales were off so he could have attempted to fix the problem.


You might be right about that and you might be wrong. You have no way of knowing with certainty how he would have responded. Like others commenting here, you are making an assumption.


Yet you assumed that you were being kind to not embarrass him. I think you were trying not to embarrass yourself.


Oh? You think it is just an assumption on my part that refraining from embarrassing the man is a kindness. I thought it was pretty much self-evident that avoiding an embarrassment to someone else is a kindness. What kind of warped condition is your mind in that you would not see that?

As to avoidance of embarrassing myself--that is also silly. It would not have been embarrassing in the least to me to advise the fellow of my problem with his weights and measures. When I am in the right and can prove it, I find no reason to be embarrassed.

If, however, I had called his hand in front of others, you and others who care not about truth in weights and measures would likely have come down hard on me, accusing me of making a spectacle to embarrass the man.
quote:
Originally posted by Matted Down Weirdo:
quote:
Originally posted by beternU:
quote:
Originally posted by Matted Down Weirdo:
I am certain the farmer would have been grateful to knew his scales were off so he could have attempted to fix the problem.


You might be right about that and you might be wrong. You have no way of knowing with certainty how he would have responded. Like others commenting here, you are making an assumption.



Lets be clear YOU mde the FIRST assumption of everyone when YOU assumed Mr. Sparks had a motive


And just how would YOU have explained his 180-degree flip-flop on the matter? He first said that he had a job to do and was just doing his job. Then he said that he had more important things to do than regulating farrmers markets (which IS part of his job). What was more important? Obviously running successfully for governor is more important to Sparks than doing the job he took an oath to do!
quote:
Originally posted by hammbone:
I think I may have just heard it all now; however, I wish to suggest a "fair and balanced" solution for you, Beternu: Contact your "very effective" leader in the WH and request one of those "beer sit-downs" between you, Farmer Brown, and "O". I'll just bet you'll get the results you justly deserve! Roll Eyes


I do not drink beer, since I have found wholesome ways to relax and enjoy life without resort to alcohol, the most popular mind-altering drug in our society.
quote:
Originally posted by pooh's dad:
RIPPED OFF?? merciful heavens, this serious offense should be reported to proper authority. .49 is probably going to break ol BerternU. I cerainly have been ripped off but if I consider the amount; it is very small conpared to real rip offs that occur quite often. Being charged a $95.00 service call and then charged $114.00 to fix a loose wire. That was a rip=off but I did not come on forum and cry and moan about it. Seems beteurnU has nothing to do so if he can't find grammer errors; he has to come up with something else. Maybe he needs to take a long walk on a short pier and chill out. I had him on ignore, but made the mistake of taking him off. Back on there for sure! Betrn; if you will send me pm with an address; i will send you .49 so you can eat this week.



This may not be a rip off if you couldn't find the loose wire yourself.

But it would have irked me too!
quote:
Originally posted by beternU:
quote:
Originally posted by Matted Down Weirdo:
quote:
Originally posted by beternU:
quote:
Originally posted by Matted Down Weirdo:
I am certain the farmer would have been grateful to knew his scales were off so he could have attempted to fix the problem.


You might be right about that and you might be wrong. You have no way of knowing with certainty how he would have responded. Like others commenting here, you are making an assumption.



Lets be clear YOU mde the FIRST assumption of everyone when YOU assumed Mr. Sparks had a motive


And just how would YOU have explained his 180-degree flip-flop on the matter? He first said that he had a job to do and was just doing his job. Then he said that he had more important things to do than regulating farrmers markets (which IS part of his job). What was more important? Obviously running successfully for governor is more important to Sparks than doing the job he took an oath to do!


I don't think Sparks knew about this until after the inspector had acted like Barney Fife.

The arrogant inspector is most responsible for making this into an issue.
quote:
Originally posted by beternU:
quote:
Originally posted by Eastside:
quote:
Originally posted by beternU:
quote:
Originally posted by Matted Down Weirdo:
I am certain the farmer would have been grateful to knew his scales were off so he could have attempted to fix the problem.


You might be right about that and you might be wrong. You have no way of knowing with certainty how he would have responded. Like others commenting here, you are making an assumption.


Yet you assumed that you were being kind to not embarrass him. I think you were trying not to embarrass yourself.


Oh? You think it is just an assumption on my part that refraining from embarrassing the man is a kindness. I thought it was pretty much self-evident that avoiding an embarrassment to someone else is a kindness. What kind of warped condition is your mind in that you would not see that?

As to avoidance of embarrassing myself--that is also silly. It would not have been embarrassing in the least to me to advise the fellow of my problem with his weights and measures. When I am in the right and can prove it, I find no reason to be embarrassed.

If, however, I had called his hand in front of others, you and others who care not about truth in weights and measures would likely have come down hard on me, accusing me of making a spectacle to embarrass the man.


My point is you assumed that calmly talking to the man would have embarrassed him. It might not would have embarrassed him at all. Now, had you acted as arrogant and self-righteous as you come across on this forum, I'm sure you would have embarrassed both of you. Most people don't mind being asked to verify that the sale is correct. It might not would have at all, but at this point you will never know. However, you removed all doubt from many of our minds what we think about you. I agree with another that said had you brought this to his attention -- like I said, I'm sure he would have thrown more onions in your bag just for your honesty. Instead, you chose the rant on the forum method that will get you no resolution but more confirmation that your arrogance is the biggest thing about you.

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