Product Plugs

I'm going to start reviewing products and services that Amber and I use on a regular basis. Whether it be a book, CD, or movie or just our experience with a service provider or new electronic widget we'll give it a quick thumbs up or down. Please feel free to leave a comment on your own experiences or if you feel there is something that's so great we need to check it out.

The fresh list:

• DVR - we have a digital video recorder through Time Warner Cable and we love it because it automatically records our favorite shows and lets us skip the commercials, plus it's very easy to use
• Sonicare toothbrushes - Amber and I each have a sonicare toothbrush now after some friends and family recommended them. These are truely amazing devices and anyone concerned with dental care should have one.
• Matisyahu - if you haven't heard of him and your younger than 40 you will soon. This guy is a Hasidic Jewish reggae artist... yes that's right. He wears the black hat and cloak and sings about Jewish traditions, but he is amazing. I have both him albums, but his first one "Live at Stubb's" is truely great. Anyone that likes reggae even a little bit should check it out for its originality.

The rotten list:

• Half.com - I recently had a bad experience with Half.com and vowed to never use their service again. I purchased a textbook for the Spring semester only to have the seller stiff me and not send the book. While this was bad, I knew I could file a claim against the seller and Half.com would refund my money so I wasn't worried. Unfortunately, Half.com's customer service was very slow and did not even contact me acknowledging my claim until nearly a month after I filed and then it was another month before I received my refund. If I was truely a poor college student I could not have afforded to be out $70 of book money for 2+ months. Do not use this service.