Wednesday, July 19, 2006

It's July and Portland is sold out of air conditioners

Help me understand. High summer season and evidently there's not an air conditioner in this city available for purchase? I know I jinxed myself yesterday over at Radio Gretchen's by announcing in response to her post about the pending heatwave that we would be purchasing an air conditioner in preparation for the sweltering 105 degree+ weekend. Ha! That's a good one! Lowes, Home Depot, Fred Meyer: they don't even have to check if you call them or show up to ask any employee. The known line is: all gone.

How can this be? Summer just begins to crank it up come mid July in Portland, and they're already sold out with no known date for when they'll have them? It is so rediculous that I'm thinking this must be a test of my retail prowess and am prepared to start working the phonelines, intent on finding one.

I haven't always been this way about the heat. I love the sun and a good heat wave is super summer fun, most of the time. But in a 100-year old house, with 2 cats and a dog, trying to get ready for a swarm of overnight guests and visitors, I'd like to try and get some decent sleep, beyond what my little window fan can provide. Yes, we'll do the backyard hose and swimsuit extravaganza while watering the garden and hoping the hanging basket doesn't curl up and fry to brown. No room for a slip'n'slide but the thought is tempting. The kiddie pool is a thought, but then once the heatwave is over, where am I supposed to put that thing?

Okay, enough bitching. I've got phone calls to make. I'm going to find an air conditioner for sale. And if anyone knows who may have them, for gods sake, let me know!

12 comments:

Maggie said...

Called a friend. Fred Meyer's in Vancouver has some. Don't know if they'll do a 100 year old house, but at least it's something.

Monogram Queen said...

I hope you find one sweetie. Ugh I can't imagine being in 100 degree heat with no a/c! I am jealous of the 100 year old house!

Rozanne said...

Are there any mom and pop appliance stores left? If there are any that have managed to stay in business despite competition from the big boxes, I'm sure they'd be in North Portland.
Maybe they'd have one.

Could you order one online? I'm sure the shipping would be pretty spendy, though.

Kat said...

It is possible to live without an air conditioner? How have you survived for so long? Down here I run the air conditioner all year long. There's maybe like a month at most where it's not needed.

I hope you find one soon! I hate being hot!

Oh, and you mentioned two cats. I adore looking at Wink, but you must post pictures of the cats as well - wouldn't want them to think you were playing favorites. :)

Zoe said...

I have a huge old one in my garage that came with my house. I don't use it often, it's in my garage sitting there. It weighs a ton. Rigo knows how to get here... You can use in in the interim if you want :-) it's a short drive away (plus our weekend is supposed to be a couple of degrees cooler)

Anonymous said...

i swear they were selling them at the jantzen beach home depot last night when i was there... or maybe those were just fans...

Anonymous said...

Have you tried Costco? If you want to call the Wilsonville store, we can go pick it up for you and bring it on Friday.

Radio Gretchen said...

I feel a little guilty now. I hope you find that illusive AC in time for the weekend :)

LeLo said...

Let me just get this right: my blogging friends have here...
1. Called from Montana and tracked down an AC unit in my area;
2. Offered one up from their garage;
3. Offered to pick one up from the scary suburbs and bring it to us;
4. Offered various, all good, advice.
How much do you people rock? I mean, really?!?!??!

Good news though! AdRi has conned one out of her father, who has an extra one she gave him as a gift two years ago. Just a little one that will fit in our window without requiring removing any glass. Yeah!!!!!!

Thank you ya'll!

StePHen said...

that is so crazy.

honestly, i have gotten a good AC at a pawn shop but i imagine they are sold out too... maybe ebay or the newspaper?

bemused said...

Glad you found an AC, lelo.

I hate the heat, I hate the heat, I hate the heat, I hate the heat...I'm dreaming of a cool rainy day. Ahhhhhhhh.

Anonymous said...

I live in the "scary suburbs" (Aloha), and there aren't any air conditioners here either. All the stores we went to this evening were even out of fans!