The Resting Place.

[bigtiller]

Rodger A. Cook, the landscaper on This Old House passed August 21, 2024 from an extended illness.

Local obituary: Roger Cook, 'This Old House' landscaper, dies at 70

"He was down to earth, gave great advice, and never pretended to be someone he wasn’t."

www.boston.com

 

[jyoutz]

It's often a business that's past its heyday, and new management thinks they're smart enough to turn it around. And sometimes the problems are internal, and can be fixed, but rarely by changing the product itself. Other times, it's because the world has changed, and there's not as much need for the product.

Two that really pissed me off were Sorrel and Muck Boots. Both great products, which had loyal followings due to high quality and performance, and both have gone to total garbage in the last ten years. Muck Boots changed all of their fits and sizings about 6-8 years ago, and also the way they assemble their boots. They don't fit as well, and they don't last as long. Sorrel is even worse, very solid Canadian-made winter boots, now imported glued-together synthetic junk.

I still have the Sorrels I bought 10 years ago and they are high quality. Have they changed recently?

 

[jyoutz]

Yep, and it's easy to leverage that name into short term savings... but it never lasts.

Speaking of Muck Boots, let me know if you guys have found any good replacement. I have been buying their "Chore" model for years, they're my daily "go out to the chicken coop", or "go shovel snow" quick-on/off boots. But whereas I used to get 5 - 10 years out of a pair, now I just get 2 - 3 years out of the new junk. Heck, I think the interior fell apart on my current pair after just 1 year, I can't wear them without socks anymore, which I usually do for the quick run out to the chicken coop on summer mornings.

If anyone has a boot like the Chore, but better fit and quality, I might be tempted to try it.

About 4 years ago I bought some Servus brand boots from Tractor Supply. They say made in USA and they are holding up really well. But I only wear them during the summer rainy season. I have insulated boots for winter.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/servuscomfort-technology-rubber-knee-rain-boot-6356637?store=2326&cid=Google-Shopping&utm_medium=Google&utm_source=Shopping&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADnTm21fGTyEP6LH8fFq3wSm4iyFk&gclid=CjwKCAjw8rW2BhAgEiwAoRO5rMRHCdKT6rVtArqCf3Mgqn1NNb9oVXhrqDxJco_VSoi3VKCmRAhcYxoCgegQAvD_BwE

 

[MossRoad]

Rodger A. Cook, the landscaper on This Old House passed August 21, 2024 from an extended illness.

Local obituary: Roger Cook, 'This Old House' landscaper, dies at 70

"He was down to earth, gave great advice, and never pretended to be someone he wasn’t."

www.boston.com

Bummer. I really liked watching his segments on that show. I saw the show where he said he'd be stepping away due to health issues. He'll live on in reruns, though.

 

[sixdogs]

Any idea what Roger died of? It seemed to be a big secret.

 

[workinonit]

Nothing about a cause. Just "illness".

 

[sixdogs]

Family pay tribute to late legendary YouTube dog from viral ‘Ultimate Dog Tease’ video

One of YouTube’s original stars has passed away.

coveredgeekly.com

 

[MossRoad]

Any idea what Roger died of? It seemed to be a big secret.

All I heard him say on the show was health issues.

 

[goeduck]

It baffles me why companies buy an existing business that makes a specific product a certain way to a loyal customer base and then changes everything. Then they wonder where their business went.

I have often wondered the same thing. When I saw it happen, the purchasing company always thought they knew better and always thought the buyers wouldn't know the difference.

 

[sixdogs]

I have often wondered the same thing. When I saw it happen, the purchasing company always thought they knew better and always thought the buyers wouldn't know the difference.

I once had the new buyer of a successful business tell me "you'll love all the changes we have planned" at the same time I was thinking "uhh, no I won't; that's why I come here".

Duh. They failed.