I like waffles. I also like pancakes. And up until recently I could have both: I had a little machine that had a waffle iron setup on one side and a flat griddle on the other. Sure that griddle was supposed to be for grilled sandwiches but I don’t make those, and it was the perfect size for doing my fave dollar sized lil pancakes (especially since I only make a small amount of batter… I am only one person).
My machine died a few weeks ago. It was a very sad day. The first time I’d used the machine in almost 6 months (which tells you that as much as I like waffles and pancakes I don’t like ‘em enough to make ‘em much). But I shrugged it off and figured it was okay: I could just get a new machine. After all the last time I’d gone to the stores looking at them, there were lots to choose from…
Boy, was I wrong!
See, it appears that in the interim waffles had become popular. Belgian waffles, specifically. So no one makes the type of machine that does waffles on one side and griddle on the other. You have to get separate machines.
I discovered this when I went to the Canadian Tire website (that’s where I got my original machine). The only machine I could find that did both was a George Foreman grill extravaganza, priced at $150. Umm, no.
So I went to The Eaton Centre and started with The Bay Downtown (I had a gift card). They had a larger selection, so I figured I’d find something. After about 20 minutes of fruitless searching I spot a Sales Associate and go over to ask her. She sees me coming and starts walking away. Fast. I kid you not! I had to chase her back to her register before she’d even acknowledge me (though she had checked over her shoulder a few times as she scurried away). WTF?!
I ask her where the waffle irons are: she says in the Cuisinart section. Funny: that is where we both were before you started your Forrest Gump impression. I go back… still no waffle irons. I search and finally find one mixed in with another company’s stuff. $130. Umm NO. Also, not the type that switches to be a griddle. $130 for just a waffle iron.
I walk through the mall, heading for Sears. I stop at Personal Edge, which is a very small store that sells house wares. There are 3 Sales people there: one at cash, two holding up the wall chatting. I search around and find the waffle irons. Cute; they make a flower design in the grill. Very cutesy and so not me, but I’ll take it under advisement after all it may only make waffles, but it was only $40. Also I am leaving one of the Sales people (male and female) who had been so vigourously ensuring that the wall didn’t fall down asked if I needed help. Sure, lady: you’d just ignored me until I found what I needed on my own and NOW you want to help? I think you are better keeping that wall up; it appears to be all you’re good for.
I go to Sears. As I am going up the elevator I see that Sears Canada is going to have to lay off 300 people because of the recession. I thought it was a shame; then I got to house wares and discovered someone I would like to nominate for lay off.
I couldn’t find any waffle irons (are you getting the theme?) so I went to find a Sales person. I found two talking to each other. Unlike the PE people they were actually talking work, discussing schedules. Neither bothered paying attention to the person waiting for assistance. After a minute or two they finished and that is when the woman (male one just walked off. Apparently male Sales people don’t actually interact with customers) asked if I needed help. I said I wanted a waffle iron. She said well we only have one. And then stared at me. I think, “lady, if you have one could you at least show it to me?” I say, “could I see it please?” She shows me over to one on a display rack that I hadn’t seen where the waffle iron is out of its box on display. The box is above. She points at it. I pick up box: no price. I say “could you please tell me the price?” “$60.” I am still not impressed; after all it only does waffles. I decide to try a different approach. “Okay, so how about…” That is as far as I get. She says, “excuse me a moment” and walks away. I figure there is a shoplifter or something, but no. What it turns out to be is another customer (a thin, blonde one. The type that have the power to render us larger chicks invisible). The Sales person I had to wait for in order to get her to serve me leaves me, in the middle of ’serving’ me, to go over to serve another customer. WTF?!
I have someone I’d like to nominate for lay off. There you go Sears Canada; only 299 to go. And with the manner in which your Sales people serve their customers… I am sure you’ll fill that list in now time.
I search around again, on my own, and finally find griddles (if I can’t have waffles, maybe pancakes would be okay). They are in the $60 and up range, which means in order to get the one machine I wanted I’d have to get two machines, costing approximately the same amount as that George Foreman thingy. Oh, which Sears had, but at almost $200.
That was enough misery for one day. I gave up.
But I am still looking. So I went to Home Hardware (waffle iron only: $55, griddle $60) and Canadian Tire (waffle iron only: $50, griddle $60). The Bay Yonge and Bloor (waffle iron only: $340!!!!)
I even looked up online (Cayne’s: waffle iron only $50), Overstock.com (waffle iron only $40… shipping HORRIFYING!).
I looked in the US: Target (waffle iron only: $30US… and have to go there to get one). Wal-Mart: ditto.
I suppose I could also try Wal-Mart Canada or Zellers, but frankly I am getting tired and pissed. Why aren’t those other machines not made any more? As well as allowing you to switch plates, they allowed you to take the plate out and put it in the dishwasher. None of the others do that: what happens if the waffle doesn’t come out properly? Get out the chisel? Throw it away and get a new one?
Now I suppose you are thinking the same thing I am: it shouldn’t take so damn long to find a decent waffle iron. I suppose I could just but one to the cheapo ones, but as none of them give me any assurance that they can be cleaned properly, without have to be replaced, I am being wary.
But I am also damned frustrated.
And Eggos are yucky.
