# Happy Cranks-giving! (November mini-rants)
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-cranks-giving-november-mini-rants/1024477
**Category:** The BBQ Pit
**Tags:** monthly-mini-rant
**Created:** [November 1, 2025, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-cranks-giving-november-mini-rants/1024477 "2025-11-01T14:32:21Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 11
### Author:  [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)
#### Post date: [November 15, 2025, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-cranks-giving-november-mini-rants/1024477/201 "2025-11-15T20:42:00Z")
> [@needscoffee](#):
>
> Same as when I left that cake out in the rain.
Ummm, just _why_ was your cake out in the rain??
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### Author:  [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)
#### Post date: [November 15, 2025, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-cranks-giving-november-mini-rants/1024477/202 "2025-11-15T20:53:04Z")
If you haven’t been to MacArthur Park you just won’t get it.
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### Author:  [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)
#### Post date: [November 15, 2025, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-cranks-giving-november-mini-rants/1024477/203 "2025-11-15T23:32:33Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#):
>
> My husband’s elderly grandma has decided - and I think this is pretty cool, actually - to throw herself a giant birthday party next weekend.
Please let us know if she gives a farewell speech, puts on a magic ring, and vanishes.
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### Author:  [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2025, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-cranks-giving-november-mini-rants/1024477/204 "2025-11-16T00:57:15Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#):
>
> A couple of days ago I learned that you can both boil and burn peanut butter in a microwave.
Glad that wasn’t me; I’d decide the obvious solution is to boil and burn some grape jelly as well.
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### Author:  [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2025, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-cranks-giving-november-mini-rants/1024477/205 "2025-11-16T04:04:31Z")
> [@wolfpup](#):
>
> You must be rich. I haven’t kept track of the cost of modern cell phones since I haven’t had to pay for one in decades.
You don’t need to be rich. I don’t think that I have paid more than $400 for a phone, and my most recent phone was $250. Great phone. And Saint Cad paid a paltry $150. Spending a thousand for a phone is nuts, IMHO.
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### Author:  [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2025, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-cranks-giving-november-mini-rants/1024477/206 "2025-11-16T04:21:37Z")
> [@Dag\_Otto](#):
>
> Spending a thousand for a phone is nuts, IMHO.
A thousand! Ha! Granted that stuff like this tends to be more expensive in Canada, but my carrier lists the retail price of the Google Pixel Pro Fold at CAD $2,810, which is a lot more than I paid for my new fridge! (Starts at USD $1,799 in the US). The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is listed at CAD $2,030 (listed at USD $1,220 in the US).
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### Author:  [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2025, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-cranks-giving-november-mini-rants/1024477/207 "2025-11-16T05:37:51Z")
I went to buy a new car but saw that a Bugatti Tourbillon costs $4.6M, so I don’t know how anyone can afford a new car.
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### Author:  [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2025, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-cranks-giving-november-mini-rants/1024477/208 "2025-11-16T06:09:27Z")
Not the same thing. Out of the entire selection of phones offered by my carrier, I only saw one that was under CAD $1,000, and it was only slightly less. Granted, some of those phones were free with a two-year contract commitment, but most of them were expensive enough that there was a monthly surcharge on top of the cost of the cell phone plan. And obviously someone is buying them or they wouldn’t be carrying them.
This is a major cell service provider and the others are much the same. I checked Best Buy Canada and there are indeed a few phones in the $200-$300 range (unlocked, so you can use them with any carrier), but only a few, and the high-end ones are priced much as I previously quoted.
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### Author:  [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2025, 6:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-cranks-giving-november-mini-rants/1024477/209 "2025-11-16T06:46:53Z")
> [@wolfpup](#):
>
> Not the same thing. Out of the entire selection of phones offered by my carrier, I only saw one that was under CAD $1,000, and it was only slightly less.
But you can get a decent unlocked smartphone (like a Samsung) for under $150, and then add a carrier SIM of your choice.
So yeah, it’s exactly the same. You might as well say that the cheapest car at your local Bugatti dealer is millions of dollars. You don’t have to go there.
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### Author:  [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2025, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-cranks-giving-november-mini-rants/1024477/210 "2025-11-16T06:55:18Z")
I wonder, is there something I’m not understanding about why cell service providers tend to offer only expensive phones, whereas you can buy unlocked phones at places like Best Buy quite cheaply?
This is good for me to know as my use of my cell phone is very basic. I do not need fancy features. If I get a phone good enough to summon an Uber (which my current phone cannot do) then I’m happy.
When I needed a ride to pick up my new car from the ex-wife’s house, I was astonished at the difference between taxi service and Uber. The taxi company said it would take about half an hour for a taxi to be available, and estimated something like $45 for the cost of the out-of-town ride. When the ex-wife called Uber for me, they said about 2 minutes and about $15. And the ride was an upscale SUV. I was sold!
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### Author:  [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2025, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-cranks-giving-november-mini-rants/1024477/211 "2025-11-16T06:58:55Z")
> [@wolfpup](#):
>
> I wonder, is there something I’m not understanding about why cell service providers tend to offer only expensive phones, whereas you can buy unlocked phones at places like Best Buy quite cheaply?
Because if you want an expensive phone, with all the features and performance, getting it from a carrier with all the discounts and splitting the cost between monthly payments can be the most affordable way to get one.
If you don’t want or need anything that fancy, a more basic phone can be purchased elsewhere without strings attached.
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### Author:  [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2025, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-cranks-giving-november-mini-rants/1024477/212 "2025-11-16T07:12:52Z")
Thanks for the explanation. But since I really like my current service provider (they gave me my current phone for free with no strings attached just because I’ve been a customer for a long time, and IIRC the previous one, too) probably my best option **may** be to get one of their “free” phones or a very low-cost one that carries a two-year commitment, since I’ll be with them anyway, rather than buying something from BB.
It depends on what plans they insist on sticking you with over those two years. It will take some investigating. For instance the Google Pixel 9 is “free” with “select plans”, more advanced Pixel models and some Samsung models are only a few bucks a month. With a purchased phone I can pick whatever cheap plan I want. I’m going to need a calculator for this exercise!
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### Author:  [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2025, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-cranks-giving-november-mini-rants/1024477/213 "2025-11-16T07:14:47Z")
> [@wolfpup](#):
>
> Thanks for the explanation. But since I really like my current service provider (they gave me my current phone for free with no strings attached just because I’ve been a customer for a long time, and IIRC the previous one, too) probably my best option **may** be to get one of their “free” phones or a very low-cost one that carries a two-year commitment, since I’ll be with them anyway, rather than buying something from BB.
Sure, I buy phones from my carrier for the same reason, so no argument there. It’s not the wrong decision.
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### Author:  [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2025, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-cranks-giving-november-mini-rants/1024477/214 "2025-11-16T13:15:12Z")
It would be worth carefully checking their website anonymously to find out if the plans that offer a “free” phone cost the same as plans that don’t offer a “free” phone. You might find there’s a $30/mo price difference between them. Which is you paying for your “free” phone.
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### Author:  [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2025, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-cranks-giving-november-mini-rants/1024477/215 "2025-11-16T13:36:04Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#):
>
> It would be worth carefully checking their website anonymously to find out if the plans that offer a “free” phone cost the same as plans that don’t offer a “free” phone. You might find there’s a $30/mo price difference between them. Which is you paying for your “free” phone.
You’re quite the cynic, and justifiably so, but my browsing has been anonymous, though I haven’t yet checked out the various plans they offer. But this sort of thing is just mind-bogglingly ridiculous – see the “retail price” line at the bottom of the image … all I want is a goddam mobile phone …
[ ](https://i.imgur.com/koRxpHn.jpeg)
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### Author:  [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2025, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-cranks-giving-november-mini-rants/1024477/216 "2025-11-16T13:53:51Z")
All you want is a mobile phone. All they want is to sell you a very high margin portable supercomputer.
Look at the “bargain” aspect of it though. The monthly payments total $1600 ± a few cents, and the suggested retail is $2320, or so they say. Wow, you’re “saving” almost $750 by buying it from them! Hurry up and sign up before the deal goes away! Why yes, I’m being cynical / sarcastic.
Retail commerce hasn’t been about providing what the consumer wants to buy versus what the vendor wants to sell since, oh, maybe 1850. If we’d had better archivists down the centuries I suspect we could cite one of Aristotle’s contemporaries writing a similar rant.
ETA: @wolfpup might find this a useful discussion:
> [@What's a good low-cost cell phone?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-good-low-cost-cell-phone/1008952):
>
> I want it unlocked with 5g and wireless charging and a Droid. As cell phones are disposable now a days, I cannot justify spending $1500 on a Samsung S24 Ultra. My current Samsung is 3 years old and has issues, the charger falls out and of course needs a new battery. I look at reviews online and what worries me is everyone has the exact same phones listed as the best and all are $600 or more. I’m not a CTer but it seems … odd. According to the reviews I should buy a Google Pixel 9 but I have…
Note that it starts about a year ago, then went dormant after 90 posts and was revived by the OP yesterday at post #91.
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### Author:  [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2025, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-cranks-giving-november-mini-rants/1024477/217 "2025-11-16T15:30:23Z")
> [@wolfpup](#):
>
> You must be rich.
It was $150. Not every phone is $1500
> [@wolfpup](#):
>
> I wonder, is there something I’m not understanding about why cell service providers tend to offer only expensive phones, whereas you can buy unlocked phones at places like Best Buy quite cheaply?
It’s to lock you into a contract. People want a $800 for $300 and spend more than the $500 on the line over the next few years. Add to that the kickbacks on all of the bloatware they put on it.
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### Author:  [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)
#### Post date: [November 16, 2025, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-cranks-giving-november-mini-rants/1024477/218 "2025-11-16T18:43:09Z")
When I got my last phone through Boost Mobile, they swore that it was on sale and I would not be limited to the higher tier monthly plans. I took screenshots of all the chats/conversations with verbal written guarantees and promises (because they weren’t downloadable). I did this twice, with 2 different agents, to be sure. Lo and behold, they all lied and I was stuck paying an additional $15 per month on a higher tier plan. No amount of arguing and emailing and phone calls and reporting to the Atty General or consumer protection agencies with my proof made a bit of difference. And weeks later, I went back on the website and tried the process again and the agents were still lying, which I also included in my formal complaints.
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### Author:  [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2025, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-cranks-giving-november-mini-rants/1024477/219 "2025-11-17T03:08:36Z")
_My husband is worth the family I married into._
_My husband is worth the family I married into._
_My husband is worth the family I married into._
One week, you guys. In one week we can have this party and it will all be over. God, please let it be over soon.
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### Author:  [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2025, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-cranks-giving-november-mini-rants/1024477/220 "2025-11-17T03:44:10Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#):
>
> All you want is a mobile phone. All they want is to sell you a very high margin portable supercomputer.
>
> Look at the “bargain” aspect of it though. The monthly payments total $1600 ± a few cents, and the suggested retail is $2320, or so they say. Wow, you’re “saving” almost $750 by buying it from them! Hurry up and sign up before the deal goes away! Why yes, I’m being cynical / sarcastic.
Yep, and I suspect it’s even worse than that, because I’m pretty sure that in order to “qualify” for this fantastic deal, they probably force you into one of their higher-tier plans, certainly more expensive than the lower-tier data plans and far more than the cheap plan I’m grandfathered into that’s no longer available. So the $721 that they’re subsidizing probably gets paid off as well. Once the infrastructure is in place, cell service charges are pretty much pure profit.
I’ve looked at their website and the terms & conditions are complicated as hell and almost incomprehensible. Most of the higher-tier plans seem to come with a $25 discount – $15 is a “recurring monthly discount” (WTF? Why not just publish a lower price?) and another $10 is if you set up automatic bank payments. But they already get automatic credit card payments. Does that count? What’s the difference? Who knows! And the very cheapest plan is twice what I’m paying now. I already have a headache just thinking about this crap.
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