Penchant partners with Harris Teeter to gain financial advantage

Right in step with this week's Time magazine article on how to survive the lean economy, Penchant Lama today unveiled his Harris Teeter Rug Doctor plan.

With no end in sight for the housing slump, Penchant saw an opportunity to earn money on the "beautifacation" of on-the-market homes. After consulting several real estate experts, he determined that the first impression of a home is its carpets. With this knowledge he visited the local Harris Teeter with Koach Krafty, where he rented a used "Rug Doctor" carpet cleaning machine for $23.99.

Kelvin, who rented Penchant the machine, warned that it wasn't in optimal condition.

"Thank the holy Jesus!" Penchant exclaimed.

With 11 houses for sale in Penchant's neighborhood, he didn't have to travel far with his Rug Doctor. With Stingy Guru as his lead cleaner (the Rug Doctor was too heavy for Penchant to operate), Penchant went door to door soliciting would-be house sellers with his makeshift rug-cleaning business.

Several hours and one sweaty Stingy Guru later Penchant had "cleaned" 10 rugged-lined houses and earned a total of $473.00.

"It's desparate times," Penchant explained. "People got to get the jimmies off their rugs if they're going to sell. It was good timing for me really."

After paying Stingy $1.73 per house, Penchant returned to Harris Teeter to return the rug cleaner.

"Jeez Louise," Penchant told Kelvin. "Most of the time that Rug Doctor exploded with dirty water out of its back. But most of my clients weren't home so it worked out really well."

Based on a loosened (by Penchant's close friend Debra the Trashman) screw in the back of the machine Kelvin concurred with Penchant that the Rug Doctor was faulty and refunded Penchant his money. With the refund Penchant netted $455.70 for three hours of Stingy's work. He slipped Kelvin a few bucks for his time, energy and effort.

"The lean economy's really not having an influence on me," Penchant explained on his way to Naughty's for a steak dinner.

Read Tinkering to learn about Penchant's arrival and his first adventure in America!

-TsungChi