AUGUST 20, 1998

Opinion:

Attention new students:  Beware of rip-offs in Boone

Okay folks, this article is from our “Greedy Business” file.  Since this is the beginning of another glorious school year here at Appalachian State University, I thought I might take the time to warn all of the incoming freshmen and transfers about this subtly dangerous place called Boone.

First, let me alienate the very university that has fostered my college life and expectations for the last four years.  The number one way, as a student, that you will get ripped off, is through Food Services.

I will cut to the chase on this one, because you have probably already experienced this rip-off yourself.  You will be overcharged for mediocre quality food.  Yes, it is true.

College students, arguably the most financially unstable class of Americans, are paying far too much for food here at ASU. This semester, my example is derived from the food court.

We now have a small Chinese food establishment that adds to the cafeteria decor of the food court.  No, I certainly don’t have a problem with variety, but at what cost?  Sure, you can eat a nice Chick-Fil-A sandwich, and the meal that goes along with it, if you don’t mind spending $8-$10 and sapping the money from your meal card faster than you can say Adam Smith (look it up).

What place ranks as the first of the worst?  This one is a cinch: The Market.  The brochure for this place should read: conveniently placed in the western part of campus so that you don’t have to walk to the gas station to get gas station food prices.

My recommendation would be to avoid The Market any day of the week and twice on Sunday, because you will soon have to beg your parents for more money for your meal card just for the privilege of surviving.

Secondly, if you do choose to live off campus in the future, stay away from the largest rental agency in Boone.  (If you do not know who I am talking about, call me and I will fill you in.)

I made this mistake once, and I still kick myself for renting from the biggest, but not the best.  They do not care about you, only your money.  These people will stone you with the rocks of poverty and unrepaired appliances and then make you pay the hospital bill. They charge you for everything that you can think of and then throw in a few more just to break your pride.

If this seems like pointless slander, then I will provide my own example.

When I rented from this property manager, my apartment soon became infested by a literal storm of angry hornets that had nested outside and found a way to pour in through the light fixtures above two of my roommates’ beds.  After multiple stings and swats from newspapers, we counted 172 (I kid you not) dead Japanese Hornets.  And what did the rental agency do about it?

After multiple phone calls and nights spent on the upstairs couch, they came by four days later to see what the problem was.  And believe me, that is only one example of their carelessness.  Just ask anyone who has rented from them.

Thirdly, and finally, you will get ripped off by everyone’s favorite towing service.  (Once again, give me a call if you are yet to make their acquaintance.)

Again, I speak from example on this one.  On one of the many late nights that I was retrieving my sorry vehicle from their monitored parking lot, I was told by the lady who happily counted my $50 that she did not quite understand why everyone hated the company.

“If we didn’t tow you and charge you this much, someone else would.  So we’re just taking advantage of our position,” she said.

There are two lessons to be learned here.  First, do not be an idiot like me and continue to get caught and towed to their unfriendly little establishment.  Second, if you ever are “taking advantage” of anyone, do not directly say so to the newest Opinion Editor of the school newspaper.
 

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