My Cooking.com order arrived today.  All of the ordered items arrived intact and Cooking.com  included some small but unexpected pleasures, and, hence, the Brucie.  I received two coupons for free shipping on future orders of $35 or more from Cooking.com, a booklet of discounts to other websites (e.g., $25 off at www.omahasteaks.com, free shipping from Cooking.com on an order of any amount -- yes Bigglesworth, another free shipping coupon)  and a set of small holiday cookie cutters.  Cooking.com, I think I love you (do do do do) but I want to know for sure (do do do do) Cooking.com, I think you're groovy...you make my heart sing.  I sense a repeat purchase some time during the remainder of this millennium.

I am going on a shopping spree for the rest of the millennium; it will consist of a purchase a day to keep the bricks-and-mortar away.  Please join me as we wind down on a  wild and woolly last 1000 years.  Today's purchase was a retirement gift for my mother-in-law (Marilyn, please do not read past here, do not pass go and do not spoil the surprise). Hey, Marilyn, I am serious.  You can read this webpage in about one week after your package arrives in the mail :-); I will allow you to scroll to the bottom of the webpage and see my 18th most favorite thing to buy online.

Amy and I decided to get her a piece of audio equipment that she could enjoy in her bedroom.  We debated what to get her.  At first, Amy wanted to get her the Bose Wave Radio.  The product is priced at $349.  I searched many websites and could not find it priced for less (good control of the channel Amar).  This sounded high to me for a nightstand size radio.  I visited some audiophile review websites to investigate what people thought of this product.  I read enough to confirm that my prior belief was correct -- it is priced way too high.

In some postings on these websites, I noticed mention of, and much praise for, a competitor -- the Cambridge Soundworks Model 88.  The Model 88 was available at Cambridge Soundworks, and conveniently priced at $249.99.  A link through Cambridge Soundworks brought me to Hifi.com.  For becoming a registered user, it was offering a $25 discount for a first purchase of $100 or more.  This sounded fine to me.  I wasn't totally convinced that the Model 88 was the right product to purchase, so I sent an email to their online assistant on Saturday evening (December 11).

My email to Hifi.com:

Dear Hifi.com,

I am trying to decide between your Model 88 and the JVC FS-5000.  I am getting this for my mother-in-law, who is not an audiophile, but would
enjoy a good listening experience in her bedroom.

The product will go in her bedroom and will be used during the relaxation time before bed when she might read a book, newspaper or do a puzzle.

I was thinking "small" and so my wife first thought of the Bose Wave.  I thought this was a ripoff, and I'm sorry to say, I'm not fully convinced
that the 88 is worth $250 (I digress).  Any way, I saw that the Executive series are also on the small side.  What are their dimensions?  How much larger than the 88 is the FS-5000?  What is the footprint of the 88?

My mother-in-law is not very techy; she needs simple functionality, and something with a small footprint.

What can you tell me?

Sincerely yours,

Bruce D. Weinberg
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On an early Monday afternoon, almost two days later, I received a reply from Hifi.com.

Hifi.com's email to me:

Thanks for the inquiry. The base unit for the FS5000 measure 10 3/16" deep, 6 3/8" high and 5 9/16" wide. The speakers are each 7 3/8" deep, 6 1/4" high and 4 3/4 " wide. The footprint of the Model 88 is 8 1/8" deep, 4 3/4" high and 14" wide. I think you will find that the Model 88 easily outperforms the JVC. It contains multiple drivers rather than the full-range speakers the JVC uses. Give us a call at 1-800-FOR-HIFI from 8AM to 12AM EST to discuss your options with one of our trained A/V consultants.

Thanks for visiting Hifi.com.
Joshua (last name withheld by me)
Hifi.com Customer Service
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This was enough information for me as I am such a trusting soul (shmile).  Tonight (Tuesday), I decided to purchase the Model 88 online from Hifi.com.  When I arrived at their website, I clicked to bring up the Model 88.  I was blown away as it was suddenly on sale for $149.99 ($100 off).  Counting my $25 first time purchase discount, this was looking better and better.  I placed my order with a final total cost of $124.99.  Oh, I forgot to mention that Hifi.com has a free shipping promotion going on.

I wonder if Hifi.com customized the deal for me.  This would be giving them a lot of credit for some good marketing.  It would have required the content of my email to be entered into a database about me.  I am sure that they knew I was online at their website.  Put the two together and Hifi.com could stimulate demand with a well targeted price promotion.

On a sour note, LinkExchange, the outfit that provides my counter is now the proud recipient of a Noosie.  My counter has been problematic so many times, it is ridiculous.  Hopefully, I will have another type of counter up before this weekend.

My 18th favorite thing to buy online is the Hasbro Ted Williams Cooperstown Collection figure.