I have a nice little cell phone, it’s about three years old.
It doesn’t take pictures. It doesn’t have a color display. It doesn’t play music or surf the web. I don’t use it for texting. It has the default ringtone and only a few names in the address book. It rings once every two weeks, if I’m lucky, and I make about one call a week with it.
I think it needs a new battery and I went to the cell phone store to get a new one. The same major carrier, the same ostentatious store where I purchased the phone.
The store wasn’t busy.
There were many store clerks, with attire that ranged from very fashionable to slightly slovenly. All displayed an air of disdain.
“I’d like to buy a new battery for my phone, can I just go to the service desk?", I inquired.
“For that phone?", queried Fashionista, snickering quietly.
“Yes”
“What is your name? We have to put it on the list,” continued Fashionista.
“Can’t I just go to the service desk?", I asked.
“No, you have to be in the list,” insisted Fashionista.
So, I gave them ny name and sat on a pretentious ottoman that was almost as big as my car.
Soon, Slightly Slovenly called my name and asked for my cell phone number. I tried to look at the screen of his computer, which would presumably be displaying my account information, was promptly scolded and sent to the other side of the counter, where Slightly Slovenly announced, “we don’t have any of those batteries.”
“Anywhere?", I responded.
“Not anywhere, we don’t have any,” Slightly Slovenly stated certainly. “You’ll have to upgrade.”
Prompted I, “How much does it cost to upgrade?”
“$30-$50, after rebate.”
At which point, I held my faithful cell phone by its pull-up antenna, swung it gently back and forth and said, “well, I guess I can just plug it into the cigarette lighter and use it until the end of time, eh?”
I know technology is constantly changing, and improving, but it is very wasteful to replace the whole cell phone when it just needs a battery.
With the help of an intergalactic search engine (Google), I found wirelessgalaxy.com and ordered the battery for $6.99+$1.49 shipping.
May the phorce be with you.