A while back, I saw a headline about a massager that Slate said had “become something of an L.A. cult”.

Given that I spend most of my life moaning about lower back aches and pains that I’m feeling (anybody on the other side of 30 can relate), with a healthy dose of neck moans thrown into the mix, my interest was piqued.

I’m not big on joining cults, but for a decent massager, I could be willing to throw caution to the wind.

In I went, clicking on the headline about cults again, and here’s how the article kicks off:

I first encountered the Etekcity shiatsu massager at designer Lesley Aitken’s studio in the Arts District. I stopped by to talk about a project, but before I could even say hi, she tugged me over to an outlet. “You have to try this,” she said while gesturing toward a device plugged into the wall. “I got it this morning.”

I settled into a chair with the massager against the base of my neck. The gadget is the size of a small throw pillow with two knobby nodes covered by a mesh panel, and the first thing I thought after turning it on was that it is powerful. It felt almost as if real human fists were kneading me. I pressed a button to heat it up, and within 20 seconds, the nodes warmed to a temperature like that of hot stones a masseuse might use for an actual spa treatment.

If you’re talking about a product that offers a lovely massage, without having to leave the house, we’re onto something big.

I did some Googling around, and found other glowing reviews. In an article about back massagers, health and fitness website BarBend picked the Etekcity massager as their best bargain buy.

Bargain buy, you say? More on the price later.

By the way, it’s pronounced ‘E-teck’, not ‘etteck’, like how certain SuperSport rugby commentators pronounce ‘attack’.

BarBend listed the following pros:

Not only is the Etekcity brand known for its effectiveness, but their sleek, modern look blends effortlessly into most environments. This is perfect for those wanting to keep their massaging discrete.

Surprising as it may be, but this user found the Etekcity Back Neck Massager as not only the most effective product he sampled, but the most affordable as well!

This was backed up by BGR, with the review saying you get “an awesome massage pillow with eight deep-kneading shiatsu massage nodes that feel amazing on your neck, shoulders, and back. It’s definitely going to change your life for the better.”

Finally, over on YouTube, I found an informative video:

Give it to me right now.

Here’s the thing – when I went looking for a local online retailer that sold the Etekcity Back Neck Massager, I didn’t have much luck.

Over on eBay, one pre-owned Massager was listed for R350, but shipping from the US was going to cost another R750 or so. I repeat, pre-owned.

PC Link Shop has the cost of the product, together with shipping, at R1 529, but they’re talking about 10-15 working days for delivery, and they’re not responsible for any delays due to “USA suppliers delaying orders, customs detaining shipments, acts of God, SARS inspections, customs inspections, Port Health inspections or flight delays”.

In other words, best of luck. Have you seen the mess at just about any customs depot in South Africa? No thanks.

Finally, I found the product on Amazon, retailing for $25,49. Using a currency conversion rate of R15,20 to the US dollar, that’s R387,45. They deliver to South Africa, but there’s no guarantee it will make it through customs without some or other hold-up.

Given that I want it delivered to my door, without any hassle or having to think about clearance and customs fees, I asked Postbox Courier for a quote.

For those who don’t know, Postbox Courier gives you a shipping address in the US, UK and Hong Kong.

As soon as the product you order is delivered there (often the same day you order, or the following day), Postbox Courier will grab it and bring it to you in South Africa in three to five working days.

To your door, no hassles with customs, Postbox Courier tells you in advance what clearance fees are necessary, and they monitor things every step of the way.

I was quoted $59,33, or R901,82, for the shipping. I was also told that because the value of a single unit converts to less than R500, it will be cleared as a ‘Low Value’ product, and won’t attract any additional clearance or customs fees.

Altogether, I’m in for R1 289,27, or roughly the price of two 90-minute massages. I’m not saying you definitely can’t find it cheaper anywhere else, but this way you know it’s going to reach you in good time.

I’ve ordered the massager, which will now be sent to my US address provided by Postbox Courier, and I await its arrival at some point next week.

Thanks for coming with me on this journey.

May all of your back and neck pains be instantly cured.

[sources:slate&barbend]