Unusual Items Bought On-line

Has anyone purchased things out of the ordinary, as far as on-line buying goes? Here's what I have done, several times now, beneficially.

I bought TIRES! First time maybe 5 years ago. I found a tire advertised having superior characteristics to the usual run of the mill, they're made in China (what ain't?). Here's how they're different.

Picture a tire sliced in two, with the slicer centered in the middle of the tread, cutting the tire in two identical pieces, so you had two, round, 1/2 tires. Get that? That's how tires have traditionally been made, molded is the term, since day 1.

Now, cut the tire in half, through it's diameter, through the center, so two "C"-shaped pieces are left. This is how the molds are made to complete the tires I'm describing, two "C"s brought together and molded, cured, under heat and pressure. Is this better?

The other way, the "cords", steel wire, aramid fiber, nylon threads, whatever is being used, is laid in place in the tire mold, amidst the rubber stock which forms the rest of the tire.

The new concept used in the tires I'm describing from China, allows the maker to include a one-piece nylon ring, one solid piece, not a bunch of strings or cords, completely around the periphery of the tire, just beneath the tread layer. Why is this good?

Typical nylon cord tires take a "set" when standing, like overnight, then goes "thump", thump, when first starting out the next day. But, nylon is some STRONG stuff, real good for tires other than the undesirable "cold thump".

The nylon cylinder introduced as an additional "ply" as I've described, does not take any "set", displays no thump, and provides superior strength against road hazard damage. I have purchased and installed 3 sets of these tires to our complete satisfaction. The drawback? I install them on our rims myself. Others would have to get them installed by a tire shop. So what? These big "sausages" cost $63 each, the first purchase, higher lately. UPS delivers them bandaged together in pairs, for $15 each pair.

I have become a fan of on-line buying! A plus, for me, is the physical activity, the exercise, the energy expended in "busting down" the old tires by hand, and installing the new ones on the rims.

All of which is surely far better for me than sitting in the living room on my a$$. Frank

 

I don't know if it can be classified as unusual items but I have been purchasing from an online store pet accessories particularly when there is an occasion. Sometimes we hold a party for the birthday of our dogs. When one dog turned 7 years old, we had a children's party and I ordered leather sun visors for the children. Of course, the design of the sun visor is a dog's face. What's good in that online store is that they personally deliver my order on the appointed day.

 

Besides the powdered PB, can't think of anything unusual. Most of my purchases are toys or things for my ipad like a cover, charger cables, stylus or iphone covers.

I need to order a new cover and cables but I keep putting it off.

 

Saw one of these a while back on line, and being a 'Creature' fan, ordered it.
6" toy that you got for free from Burger King.
Paid about 5 bucks (ebay) and it now guards my tool cart at work.
' A Fool and his Money...'

 

From "Come and Get It", written by McCartney, performed by Badfinger in 1970:
........."Will you walk away from a fool and his money"........

 

I buy a LOT of things online, but I don't think much of what I buy online qualifies as unusual. I have, in the past, purchased fish online, for my aquarium. It wouldn't have been a big deal if they'd left them at the office (back when I lived in an apartment), but instead, they brought them back over to Houston, and I had to drive up there to get them, which pissed me off, because if I'd wanted to drive that far, I could have driven a little farther, and saved a lot of time and money buy just buying them in person. I was driving about a 3 hour round trip commute at the time, as well as driving to and from clients' homes once I was over by the office, so I certainly didn't appreciate the added miles.

I tend to avoid buying anything heavy or bulky online, because shipping can be a pain, not to mention very expensive, but I appreciate that some stores are doing what Wayfair does, which is make all large items ship for free. I know some of my neighbors think I'm a bit weird for having cat food/litter and some grocery items delivered, but it's easier for me that way, especially for heavy items.