One Man’s Trash is Another Man’s Treasure
Our friend, Chris, is selling his condo and will be crashing at our place until he moves into a new place. We’ll also be storing his stuff in our garage.
When we moved in, the garage was the one area we didn’t really address. We just took the junk we weren’t going to use immediately and put it all along the back wall (and the side walls as our junk expanded over the past six months). With Chris moving in next week, we designated last weekend as clean-up time.
Two days later, we had 2 full garbage cans, 1 full recycling garbage can, 1 full recycling bin, and put lots of junk up on Craiglist. Some things we just listed for free (assorted milk crates, pieces of wood, etc…). But most items we listed for money, and it’s amazing what random stuff people must be searching for on any given day.
- An outdoor turkey fryer? the first thing that went.
- An old electric drill and screwdriver? gone.
- An old blender? bye bye.
- One of those screen room dividers (like in a Japanese restaurant)? $30? Sure!
- How about a vase I got for free? Sure! (and the friendly buyer gave us a bar of chocolate to boot)!
We still have a few items to go, but the garage is definitely clearing out. Though, as anybody who has sold on Craigslist knows, there are lots of flakes out there. You’ll inevitably get spam emails. You’ll also get the occasional no-show. But one guy takes the cake for the most creative excuse(s) for not coming. I’m copy/pasting the email below because it’s just too perfect. I actually think he’s being honest because this is just way too complex to be a lie. What do you think?
I came by but stupidly forgot that I had called you from my work phone and didn’t have your phone number with me. I thought I knew where your place was but when I reached in my pocket, I realized that I didn’t have my ipod touch where I wrote down the info. I didn’t answer when you called because I neglected to turn the ringer back on after a meeting today. The moon is in the sign of clutz.
My daughter called while I was looking for what I remembered your address to be and needed help so I ran back home. Sorry I didn’t get back to you earlier. We just had a death in the family and things are a mess. But I was there.
I’m very sorry. I really want the print server but electronics conspired against me. Let’s try it again when you’re next home at night. Assuming it’s not sold!
Thanks.
By the way…this is all for an item that is only being sold for $10. The poor guy, I just want to give him a hug.
4 Comments
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
Gee, I’m going to have to use this email as my excuse for EVERYTHING. Great email.
Karl,
I really want that blender. I’ll give you a check for $5,000. but you have to mail the blender to me, with $4,000 cash inside it. Cool part is you can keep $1,000. I see absolutely no potential problems with this transaction.
OMG, that so funny and yet sad. What else ya got left? 😉
Lets see we have some empty propane tanks, a curtain rod, a wireless print server, lots of candles and a few candle holders, a rolling back pack, some board games, thai wall art, and a king size duvet cover. Amazing what did go .. and what will go to good will!