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General Discussion & Feedback => Just Chat! => Topic started by: CliffordK on 17/12/2014 20:48:24

Title: Where would one find science stuff in a store?
Post by: CliffordK on 17/12/2014 20:48:24

Let me start a puzzle topic about searching for goods in stores.  After a puzzle/anecdote is solved be welcome to add your own.

I have some irregular (fixed and moving) objects that I wanted to make precise measurements of and decided that augment my measurements with a laser pointer either projecting on the object or on paper...  in theory.

I went to a tool store that I thought had them in the past, but they don't sell them now.  So, I headed off to an everything department store that carries everything from food to hardware to clothing. 

I can usually find things in stores pretty well, but this time I ended up asking 2 people for assistance.  The place they had them was extremely logical, but it was the last place I would have ever looked for them.

So...  where would one find a laser pointer in a department store?

Title: Re: Where would one find science stuff in a store?
Post by: RD on 17/12/2014 22:14:26

Quote from: CliffordK on 17/12/2014 20:48:24

... I went to a tool store that I thought had them in the past, but they don't sell them now.

 
The more powerful laser pointers are banned as they can be used offensively ...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7651466.stm

Title: Re: Where would one find science stuff in a store?
Post by: alancalverd on 17/12/2014 23:26:32

I recently bought laser pointers in a tool store (associated with a spirit level) and a computer store (including a wi-fi interface to Powerpoint). No problem.

Title: Re: Where would one find science stuff in a store?
Post by: CliffordK on 18/12/2014 09:34:37

Yes,
They could be used for unsavory things like tools for professors to teach (or heaven forbid, disrupting the lectures). 

So...  the question remains...  where would you find them in a department store?  Not laser levels, but the little handheld ones.  Electronics section?  Office supplies?  Tools?  Somewhere else?

Title: Re: Where would one find science stuff in a store?
Post by: demografx on 19/12/2014 04:53:36

I think Staples has 'em.

Title: Re: Where would one find science stuff in a store?
Post by: demografx on 19/12/2014 05:00:43

Also Walmart
http://mobile.walmart.com/c/kp/green-laser-pointer

Title: Re: Where would one find science stuff in a store?
Post by: CliffordK on 19/12/2014 22:37:12

Ok...
Nobody quite got the question.

At Fred Meyers, they put the laser pointers (red) in the Cat Toy section.  Not with electronics...  Not with office supplies...  but with CAT TOYS.

Title: Re: Where would one find science stuff in a store?
Post by: Don_1 on 29/01/2015 10:43:30

Quote from: CliffordK on 19/12/2014 22:37:12

Ok...
Nobody quite got the question.

At Fred Meyers, they put the laser pointers (red) in the Cat Toy section.  Not with electronics...  Not with office supplies...  but with CAT TOYS.

Cat toys??? Nope, I just can't see the reasoning there, can you elucidate? And why cat toys, why not dog toys???

My daughter's cats go crazy chasing screwed up empty sweet (candy) wrappers around. Is this a way to amuse cats in a similar way, but without having to collect the sweet wrappers strewn across the floor afterwards? If so I don't think much to it. Just imagine hubby flickering a red dot around and little puss jumping up that wonderful 18th century French Polished oak cabinet, leaving deep scratch marks all down the front. Hubby might then find the wife increasing the power of the laser and turning it on him.

"That cabinet belonged to my great great grandmother you imbecilic moron." (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.freesmileys.org%2Fsmileys%2Fsmiley-violent044.gif&hash=2cb3e1cf59d012205665c02842aecec3) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)

Title: Re: Where would one find science stuff in a store?
Post by: David Cooper on 29/01/2015 17:48:47

It's just possible that a store might have them behind the counter but prefer not to sell them to people who look rather too young and are therefore potentially irresponsible. This leads to most sales being made to elderly astronomers who use them to show people round the heavens, accidentally bringing down numerous aircraft and ending up in court for flashing.

Title: Re: Where would one find science stuff in a store?
Post by: Colin2B on 12/02/2015 00:00:49

Quote from: David Cooper on 29/01/2015 17:48:47

..This leads to most sales being made to elderly astronomers who use them to show people round the heavens, accidentally bringing down numerous aircraft and ending up in court for flashing.

Maybe they are just trying to see how high the cat really can jump!