A few weeks ago we went to something called Kids Expo which was basically a local trade show for all things kids.  We wandered around, collecting free pencils and toothbrushes and rulers.  The kids played a bit and we returned home to play with our treasures.  Other than our collection of free loot, I also found some useful information about family-related services that I didn't know about in our area, and I registered for a few prizes along the way.

About a week later, I received a phone call - I had won a prize.  What I heard the caller tell me was that a chef would be coming out to our house to teach us more about cooking healthy meals for our family.  I imagined something along the lines of Emeril in the kitchen, giving me tips and admiring my water garden containing five varieties of basil, the jars of dried herbs I'd harvested all summer.  In the back of my mind I knew that my vision was somewhere closer to dream than reality, I asked if there was any charge, leary about the prize after she said "It sounds like it's been awhile since you won anything."  There was no cost, she assured me, I'd won a prize.

Two nights ago when someone called to confirm the appointment, I asked again.  There isn't any charge for this, right?  He assured me, that someone would be coming out to make us a healthy dinner.  And they would be doing it in their Cooking System.  "Cooking System," I said.  "What's that?  Like pots and pans?"  I said.

"Well, pretty much."  He told me.

So, last night around six a guy showed up hauling a giant suitcase which housed his pots and pans Cooking System.  He demoed cooked for us and made us a delicious and healthy meal - everything cooked without added fats - fried chicken, vegetables, mashed potatoes, pears with chocolate sauce.  As he was frying up the chicken in a really nice looking electric fry pan, I thought, "You know, I could actually use an electric fry pan.  How much would I be willing to part with for this one?  It does look nicer than others I've seen... maybe $120?  $130 at the most?"

That's when he told me that the electric fry pan was $595.  It couldn't be purchased separately, but was available as part of the Starter Kit that was just under $2,000.  And, that's when I stopped listening and started formulating the Exit Strategy for the Cooking System.  I enjoyed my dinner, I helped dry the Cooking System, and I told him.  I like these pans, they seem to work just fine.  But I will not pay that much for pans, even after hearing about all of the benefits you described.  It is just far too much money to spend on pans."

Within 90 seconds, he was pulling out of the driveway.  My thoughts of a personal chef for a night gone up in smoke, leaving only the lingering smell of friend chicken in the kitchen and skid marks in the driveway.