You would think at my age I would have learned

drizzellla · ‎03-14-2010

Why am I so gullible? I bought the Professor Amos drain cleaner. My bathroom sink was slow. So I thought why not give it a try? Well now instead of a slow sink - I now has standing water and a sink that takes minutes to drain.

I followed the directions carefully and did it twice. Now the directions say after using it twice and the drain is not cleared to call a plumber. Why did I fall for the sales pitch?

hopi · ‎03-09-2010

I am at the front of the line for being a slow learner.

shaggygirl · ‎11-24-2011

Because first we'd rather try it ourselves and hope it works before the hassle of finding a plumber, setting up an appointment at a convenient time, waiting for him to come and pay a big tab. I had the same problem a couple of months ago, gave up, called the plumber (fortunately I have a good one who comes the same day I call) and he wound up having to take the plumbing apart underneath the sink and snake it. Fortunately it was where his snake could reach it and clear it. His snake only goes so far and if it doesn't reach the blockage then they have another person they give you call who can snake it down the line farther. Cost me in the neighborhood of $120.

jlkz · ‎12-02-2013

Because hope springs eternal as the famous quote goes. Been there and done that often!

We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.
Sir Winston Churchill

bonnielu · ‎03-11-2010

Got a rule for myself. I research everything I buy. First where I intend to buy it, such as QVC reviews. Of course I know many of the negatives might have been "accidentally" eliminated. Then I do a search on Amazon or just GOOGLE it. I find out lots of information and then make my decision.

Also got another rule or habit or whatever. I don't watch QVC live unless I am looking for either an exact product or general information.

I am too darn gullible. I save lots of money just by checking in advance. On any given day just tuning in I used to buy and buy and buy. Not anymore.

drizzellla · ‎03-14-2010

I did look on Amazon before I bought and it had many positve reviews. BUT today I also was looking at different sites and found that many of the positive reviews were for the liguid/gel form. I bought a powder form.

I rarely return anything but I think this will be the exception.

shaggygirl · ‎11-24-2011

When I bought the Professor Amos (from HSN) it came with the gel and also a tub of the powder. The gel is what you're supposed to use to clear the blockage. The powder says to use it once a week or once a month for maintenance to keep the drain clear so you don't get another total blockage. The gel did work for me in my bathtub drain when I needed it but had no luck with the bathroom sink so as I said I wound up getting my plumber.

2dotty · ‎05-06-2015

It took me a long time to learn too. I once bought a drain cleaner that destroyed the finish on my drain. I ended up calling a plumber and he had to replace the drain. I learned my lesson and call the plumber from now on.

lucymo · ‎12-13-2010

@bonnielu wrote:
Got a rule for myself. I research everything I buy. First where I intend to buy it, such as QVC reviews. Of course I know many of the negatives might have been "accidentally" eliminated. Then I do a search on Amazon or just GOOGLE it. I find out lots of information and then make my decision.

Also got another rule or habit or whatever. I don't watch QVC live unless I am looking for either an exact product or general information.

I am too darn gullible. I save lots of money just by checking in advance. On any given day just tuning in I used to buy and buy and buy. Not anymore.

@bonnielu, I like the way you think. If I watch live QVC, HSN or whoever, they can make me believe things work but it brings up another saying 'if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is'. I don't watch much either, can't afford to.

chickenbutt · ‎03-09-2010

This isn't the kind of thing that any of us probably AUTOMATICALLY know. But I've learned that you really have to be careful what, if anything, you use in drains.

It also depends A LOT on the type of pipes you have and some other factors I cannot remember. See how little I know? hehe - But my husband has known some plumbers and they've advised against using a lot of the stuff you can buy in the store/online. Depending on the type of pipes you have, some regular products that might seem benign can do a lot of damage.