Common items which are hard to find in stores

One of the most baffling things for me, is how difficult it is to find simple things to buy depending on where you are. I'll give you an example:

In the U.S. people use washcloths to take a shower, and I find it hard to find a sponge for the same purpose. I remember looking for it up and down, and taking a long time to find it. Likewise, in Brazil people use sponges to take a shower, not washcloths. And, low and behold, I was just baffled how difficult it is to find a washcloth here since I moved. Of course, you can find towels anywhere, and washcloths are nothing but very small towels, but I could not for the life of me find washcloths yet.

Another item which is hard to find in the U.S. which I loove is rags. That's right folks, cleaning rags to wipe the floor with. Of course, you can find mops all over, but there are things that rags do better...which I will not get into. :2thumbsup:

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I was on vacation for two weeks and I forgot my mirror in one of the hotels: a mirror with a handle that I use to trim my own hair (especially the back). This morning, coming to the conclusion that I was about to jump off a cliff if I didn't shave my hair (I value my baldie ), I went in search of the same kind of mirror that I had bought in Queens, New York; but that I also see here in Brazil in hair salons and the like. "It's not rocket science", I thought.

Well, I started looking for it in beauty salons, then beauty product supply stores, pharmacies, malls, department stores, street markets, imported goods fairs, etc. I found: mirrors for women's make up, mirrors with lighting, purse-sized mirrors, mirrors for the car, mirrors for the wall and free-standing ones for the house, mirrors that blow and zoom your image up or down, mirrors which tilt mechanically, mirrors with artistic frames, stained mirrors, etc...But I could not find the damned thing I wanted if my life depended on it.

Until I finally just gave up! Wouldn't you believe it, I found a small square mirror (with no handle, sniff sniff), in one of the kiosks in the subway station on my way home. Not exactly what I was shooting for, but boy, is this hair coming the fuck off my head tonight!

Any purchasing items you guys've had difficulty finding lately? Tell me your story.

 

i've always found it annoying how seasonal items are rarely offered during the appropriate season. for example, swimsuits are available during the winter and spring, then when summer comes along they take away all the swimsuits and start selling winter coats.

also weed.

 

It can be difficult to find a French coffee press.

 

So true!

 

Kirby vacuums.

 

Galactic dust.

 

Battery operated pulsating vagina's......

 

I love baking. In the Netherlands baking soda is not used, and not a kitchen staple like in the US. My favourite bread however is Irish soda bread. I can only find baking soda in Chinese/Asian stores.
Fresh yeast canalso be hard to find, most big stores only sell dried yeast etc.

 

I can't think of anything, but they have loofa sponges for that. http://www.groovygreen.com/groove/?p=689

 

I have one. :sunny:

 

Pot. Very common yet quite hard to find at the moment. Most likely due to the weather.

Edit: I didn't see the "in stores" part of the topic line. Although weed is hard to find in stores despite it being extremely common.

 

Post deemed by OP as on topic.

 

anvils. most stores that carry anvils are cast iron junk

 

I've been having a real hard time finding Binaca type breath spray. I need some in the metal tube.The Listerine ones are good but I don't want one to break in my car from freezing or from getting too hot in the heat, this has been ongoing since Summer.

 

You can find tons of sponges to wash with at Wal Mart and the rags to clean with I usually get at the dollar store or at an auto parts store.

 

well I must be weird because I dont use sponges or cloths...I just use my hands and a bar of soap

and a small towel to dry off

 

I completely agree!

(And I can help you out with the second thing)

 

When I first moved here it was summer but it was bitterly cold and absolutely no store had a heater of any kind... all they had was air conditioners and it was so annoying because it never ever ever gets hot enough here that any normal person would use an air conditioner.

It is cold here all year and the only sell heaters for like 1 month and then you are out of luck.

 

Off season items. Drives me crazy.

If I want to buy something for gardening off season it is a nightmare. I wanted to buy my Aunt a garden cart for Christmas two ago. Luxury item so I thought I should be able to find one. Wrong. Last Year was a no go.

I bought one this summer past and put it away for the Christmas just past and gifted it to her then.

I guess the upside is that it was a gift I really thought about but to think about it for over a year ahead is a little nuts.

She was happy and so was I, so I guess that is all that matters in the end.

 

haha, i can find it, just not in stores.