Apparently I am one of the estimated 3,569 Salem residents burned by this year’s one-day only composter sale. In more proof that local advertising is bucking national trends and that people are still looking for more stuff to buy for the home, the one-day event, last Sat., May 2, was so popular that demand for these $29 Earth Machines vastly exceeded supply.
I couldn’t get to Fred Meyer in time, so I sent one of my handlers, who discovered herself in line with 100 other people too late to get the tiny dirt-makers. They were also selling then at Roth’s Wilco Farm Store in Stayton and Silverton, and at Coastal Farm Stores in Woodburn.
The ad for the new millienium’s Tickle-Me Elmo in Salem Monthly‘s green living section was placed by the Marion County Public Works Environmental Services.
I’ve heard the media buyers at the public works weren’t sure that demand for the composters would continue to be high — some had wondered if the market in this area was already saturated by previous events like these.
Obviously lots of people want to see some good come of their garbage, so I can’t be too sad that I didn’t get my hands on one.
You can still contact the company if you didn’t get there in time.
Wow!! I saw the ads, but was out of town that day so figured I was SOL — I’m glad it was so popular. Any idea for how many people DID get one? This was a fantastic deal on that item — is the county giving away coupons or rain checks or something?
Not sure, but if there was any doubt in the interest, it should be clear now.
Marion County sells those composters year-round at Fresh Start Market, a coffee shop / garden center on Center Street, just east of the State Hospital. It’s $34 any time of the year! Fresh Start Market is a great project that helps juvenile offenders get their lives back on track. Oh, and another great service: You can recycle your styrofoam there!
http://www.co.marion.or.us/PW/ES/composters.htm
OMG, Steph, that’s like five minutes from my house. I could walk there (ok, it would take 20 minutes then) and save the gas. Maybe not 5 bucks worth of gas, though.
I called Fresh Start (bought an xmas tree there last year) and they do not have them now, but should have them June 1st. Get in line! =-)
I’ve been using one of those for a couple of years now. It makes quite a bit of compost. You fill it to the top with grass clippings and a few weeks later you can pour another batch on top. It gets pretty hot in there too. Check out this story about the county considering expanding their compost operation to include meats.
http://www.katu.com/news/29427314.html?video=YHI&t=a