Last weekend, I discovered that I had, not one, but three flashlights that didn’t work.
I have two that are police type flashlights powered by regular “D” batteries and a third that is powered by a rechargeable battery used for cordless tools.
The first two are mysteries to me. I can’t figure out why they don’t work. I put new batteries in and got nothing. The bulb doesn’t look like it is burnt out.
The rechargeable one bugs me. This came with a set of cordless tools that I bought a few years ago. At that time, I bought an extra battery…and they aren’t cheap!
Now, neither battery will hold a charge!
After seeing the $40 price tag for a new rechargeable battery, I decided to check out the cost of a new police type flashlight…$20.
Then I realized, that I would still have to buy the cordless battery because none of my tools will work without it!
When I got home, I decided to do a very unmanly thing…
I read the instruction sheet that came with it!
As I started to unfold the paper, doubts begin to fill my brain…
“Why are you doing this?”
Then…
“I knew I shouldn’t have done this”
It was as if the writer of the document had it out for me. In so many words, he (or she) said, “Hey, dummy, this is why you had to buy a new battery.”
“Store in an area between 50º and 100º.”
My righteous consumer anger at having to buy a replacement for a faulty product began to dissipate. I began to recognize the familiar dry, chalky taste of humble pie as the realization that my own ignorance caused my problem began to register in my cerebral cortex.
“Huh, I guess all of those nights in our storage closet in freezing temperatures wasn’t good for them…”
Thankfully, my wife and children weren’t there to actually witness the entire scene!
When they came home, I was able to “inform” them about the cause of the batteries failure. My masculine dignity was restored…
And then I quickly changed the subject!
