Hunting high and low

So, one of the things I bought when I got back from the States 10 years ago was a tabletop electric can opener. Yes, it is a totally unneccesary kitchen gadget but what the heck. We had one in the States and I realized it was really quite useful and convenient. And I know I use it more often than I do my cake mixer .. lol. So I went and bought one then .. against my husband's wishes .. he thought it was totally not worth the money I spent on it. HUH. 

Anyway, my Kenwood tabletop electric can opener has been with me since 2004. It's really a nifty gadget. And my maids all loved it. Past and present. It's so darn easy to use. And the cans are opened cleanly and smoothy. No accidental cuts from jagged can edges .. you tend to get those when you use a manual can opener. I detest those idiotic things.Truly. 

So, my can opener cost me about $60-$80 ... and it's already been around for some 10 years. Not that we eat a ot of processed, canned food. But we do go through condensed milk and canned soup regularly. And canned sardines. So we do use it. It sits permanently at one corner on the kitchen countertop so we don't have to keep taking it out and putting it back in the cupboard. 

Recently, the small part of the opener fell off. Doesn't affect usage. But it still bugged me. So I traipsed down to Courts (the local electronics and home appliances store) to get a new one. 

Lo and behold, they didn't have it. 

Not that I was looking for the same model and brand, mind you. I wanted to buy ANY tabletop electric can opener. They didn't carry a single one. Not any brand. 

We went to different stores and found a hand held electric can opener from a German brand. I didn't want it. I wanted a tabletop one. 

*sigh* 

I finally called up Kenwood Singapore and spoke to the sales department, who informed me that they stopped bringing in the tabletop elecric can opener 2-3 years ago. 

What. The. Hell. 

Obviously, such a gadget wasn't popular here. 

People are sadly misguided. I see TONS of canned goods in NTUC. Most still require a can opener to open them. Are these sad sad people still using a manual can opener? Obviously. 

The lady informed me that it would be costly for me if they were to bring in just one set especially for me - it wasn't just about air freight cost. 

Whatever. 

I went on Ebay UK and purchased a brand new set. YAY!!! Even with air mail costs, it was still affordable. 

I can't wait for my new tabletop electric can opener to arrive. Sure, its the same make and model as the one I have now .. BUT it'll be spanking new and white .. and NEW. LOL. 

Yay to online shopping!!