It was real spotty. The plot thickens... Guess how I learned about this.
In the Austin "metropolitan area", they were $131.53. So I went looking for stock.
I went to the place that gets most of my business and they were out but checked out the area. The place down the Interstate about 15 miles supposedly had one. I went there and they "couldn't find it". They were apologetic and called around... They finally found 13 of them in Killeen, which is about an hour and a half on a real good day. It was a weirdly active day and it took me about 2 hours to get there. I was planning to buy 4 because of the vehicle I had.
I got them to bring out 4 on a dolley and when ringing them up, they wanted, (as memory serves me), $499.99 each, on Sale! I told them of my journey from Austin to Kyle to Killeen and that I had been assured twice that I could buy them for $131.53. Half of my day is over and I have nothing to show for it. I thought I was spending it getting something for nothing. That'll teach me...
I then sat down with the manager of the moment at that store and he called the manager of the store that sent me. They agreed that I was getting a raw deal all around the central part of the state.
Anyway, 'long story short, the corporate division that the Killeen store belonged to wasn't part of the shedding of these planers so they didn't have the fire sale and that's why they still had a lot of the planers. They sold me the unit at the Killeen price and told me how to get it at the Austin price, which I did. It's a trick and I agreed to do it only once - only as payback for my inconvenience.
That's why I didn't take all 13 and rent their truck to get them back to Austin.
This is my story of persistence, repeated disappointment, and eventual, realistic acceptance.
This is also my Thanksgiving story. It's nice to know that I'm not the only one out there that will make good on missteps or misconceptions.
I give thanks to all those that are trying to do Good Things. I especially give thanks to those that are challenged and keep on trying anyway.
Happy Holidays,
Tom