Third Notice: Second and Last Aladdin Lamp Cooperative Buy

This is your last chance to get in on a cooperative buy on Aladdin lamps, parts, and accessories that I will coordinate on behalf of the Yourdon forum. The tall aluminum Aladdin lamps are no longer available. However, prices for other lamps have been reduced.

The minimum number of total kerosene lamp units that need to be ordered is five. Those interested in either lamps, parts, or lamps with shades should email me at faryna@groupmail.com. After much bickering, I think I have been able to get decent prices for us. Some prices, however, are not as good as they were for the first order. You be the judge. I will need to receive payment for lamps, parts, and/or lamps with shades by no later than November 26th, 1999. These dates have been extended as I have been very busy lately, unable to answer all questions, and post announcements. I expect to begin shipping out the orders on December 6, 1999. Again, send me email for details.

Aladdin Kerosene Lamps
B139 Tall Aluminum Table Lamp (No Shade)   $US 70.00  (no more are available)
B2301 Classic Brass Table Lamp (No Shade)  $US 89.00
B2301-653 Brass Heritage Lamp with White Opal Shade $US 129.00

Aladdin Lamp Accessories and Spare Parts
R103 Lox On Chimney  $US 16.00
R105 High Altitude Chimney  $US 20.00
R150 Lox-On Mantle    $US 5.00
N230 Wick                    $US 8.00
R111 Wick Cleaner       $US 1.00
N101B Brass Insect Screen $US 6.00
N101N Nickel Insect Screen $US 8.00
N239B Brass Oil Burner    $US 39.00
N236N Nickel Oil Burner   $US 39.00
N185B Brass Electric Converter  $US 32.00
N185N Nickel Electric Converter $US 32.00

Thank you for your attention.

Sincerely,
Stan Faryna

Can't get a good price on something? Click here and check out the cooperative preps thread.

Got 14 days of preps? If not, get started now. Click here.

Click here and check out the TB2000 preparation forum.

-- Stan Faryna (faryna@groupmail.com), November 21, 1999

Answers

Stan, why do you consider the Aladdin lamps to be worth the price? i know people who have used the <= $10.00 kerosene lamps from Wal-Mart for years and years with no complaints. I have been using these inexpensive lamps as well, and they seem to work well. It seems to me that a lot of money that could be going into other preps is getting diverted by buying these expensive types of lamps.

I am not trying to attack you, as I know your judgement to generally be good and that you are an intelligent, rational person. Also, I salute the public service you render with the cooperative prep buys you set up. Simply, I am asking you to explain this assessment you have made (that >$89.00 lamps are worth the price).

www.y2ksafeminnesota.com

-- MinnesotaSmith (y2ksafeminnesota@hotmail.com), November 22, 1999.

Minnesota Smith,

It's an interesting question. I might have an interesting answer. If you have a zippo handy, turn off the lights in the room, light up the zippo. Now turn the lights back on. That's about the difference between the typical kerosene non-pumping lamps (wholesaling for about $5 to $20) and the Aladdin incandescent lamp. I had one or two of those lamps and I gave them away to family after I saw how bright and handsome the Aladdins are. I've met some skeptics, but once they see an Aladdin burn, they were converted. Then again, if you need to buy 14 days of food or you are prepping on a tight budget, I'd recommend that you save your hard earned cash. So, yes, I agree with you. Sorta.

More later.

Sincerely, Stan Faryna

-- Stan Faryna (faryna@groupmail.com), November 22, 1999.

I can vouch for Stan's point. A typical lamp puts out one candle- power of light. An Aladdin puts out MORE light than a 60 watt bulb.

It was hard for me to purchase my first Aladdin lamp. Unlike food, it was something I was not likely to need if Y2K is a BITR. If you think the risk of power outages is no worse than your normal risk from winter storms and Squirrel Kings on a rampage, than it is hard to justify the expense. For an outage of a few hours flashlights or $5-$10 oil lamps or a few candles will suffice. But after following the situation with DOE, NERC, and the NRC for a couple of years, I have no confidence in their don't-worry-be-happy reports (hope, yes... confidence, no). Read Wired's POWERLESS. In the Great Ice Storm of 1998 some people were without power for up to 42 days. I decided that given the risk of EXTENDED power outages, an Aladdin was a reasonable "insurance premium". I got the cheapest one I could, with no shade (the Genie II), but it was SOOOO bright, I had to go back and order a shade. Also bought another Aladdin and another shade... and extra wicks and mantles. Get in on this deal while you can... its a good thing.

-- Linda (lwmb@psln.com), November 23, 1999.

Thanks, Linda. On another note, I like the Aladdin lamps because they are handsome in my opinion-- not to mention they have been a part of American history for almost a hundred years. Of course, the antique Aladdins are more handsome, but the tall brass lamp is no eye sore. And I admit that I really don't like to buy things that I'm never going to use again. I find myself using the Aladdin lamp even when the lights are there to be turned on. On a chilly evening, I'll light up an Aladdin and read a book by it. To add ambience to a romantic dinner, I light the dinner by Aladdin light. Really. You might want a shade for mood lighting, however. And that's another thing, you can add a shade later on or take out the oil burner assembly and put in an electric light bulb assembly if you don't want to burn up lamp oil.

Sincerely, Stan Faryna

-- Stan Faryna (faryna@groupmail.com), November 23, 1999.

P.S. I expect some checks will not arrive by Friday and that's alright by me-- as long as I don't get stuck with the bill at the end of the month.

-- Stan Faryna (faryna@groupmail.com), November 23, 1999.

Personally, I think this lamp co. is exploiting those of us who don't know that you can buy oil lamps all day long at garage sales for a buck apiece, like I've been doing for the last 6 mos.. Good bartering item, don't you think, rather than a "Prep Must". Also, I just bought wick replacements for said latterns for 1.19 at your local Ace Hardware. This is a 3 ft. length, enough for a multitude of latterns. Sounds like Stan's paying for his preps off of ya'll's purchases.

-- susan (reaper1@mindspring.com), November 23, 1999.

Susan,

I would guess that you don't know Stan very well. Among other things, Stan has lead efforts to organize prep donations for those who are less financially able, offered a "safe house" to a potential whistleblower, and offered his phone number to a distressed/depressed prepper. In fact, Stan's kindness towards strangers is such that his friends have sometimes suggested more caution in his generosity. Stan is the "real deal", and that is a rare find.

Stan, I'll be in touch tonight about adding 2 more to the Aladdin purchase. Thanks for your efforts.

-- (RUOK@yesiam.com), November 23, 1999.

Good tip about using the Aladdin for mood lighting. Not doing it now, but will definitely do so If I no longer NEED the lamp and kerosene. They are HANDSOME lamps. If you haven't seen them look here or here

Speaking of kerosene... here in Kalifornia I can only get the stuff with the red dye added. But I heard from a lady at the hardware store where I bought the lamps that the red dye would gum up the wick. Stan.. or anyone else.. do you know anything about this? Ultra Pure oil is insanely expensive so I would like to stick with kerosene.

Just might have to get me some more mantles and wicks.. have to take inventory. Will email you in the a.m.

-- Linda (lwmb@psln.com), November 23, 1999.