Sunday, June 26, 2011
Saturday, June 18, 2011
The Crap is Starting to Sell
Yesterday my lovely housemate, Anniliese, let me use her car all day to get some errands done. I took full advantage.
Powell's gave me a little over $30 for a bunch of books I've acquired mostly from free boxes in the last few years. Southeast neighborhood sidewalks can be an oasis of cardboard goldmines, especially during the summer months. I delivered a DVD player to a nice young lady named Margot in NW. Another $9 in my pocket. Then I had an appointment at noon with Eric of Wire Audio Repair. He gave me a quick (and free) diagnosis of my guitar amp's ailment. He was personable and reassuring; I walked in thinking I was wasting his time with a worthless hunk of junk and walked out a half hour later feeling like I might make a quick hundred bucks or so if it just needs a little re-soldering like he says. After that, I went home, managed the craiglist account and set up an appointment with a college kid named Chris who wanted to buy my table/desk. Then I strategized a trip to the plasma bank, but soon realized there wouldn't be enough time before I had to return the errand-mobile to Anniliese up by the airport.
Chris came over at 5:30 and picked up the furniture. I had listed it for $45, but all he had was a $50, so I threw in a folding chair and we called it good. I've been really surprised at how smooth all my craigslist dealings have been lately. For the most part, it's been one email per item, from someone who's actually willing to buy it... at the listed price! Nobody wants to haggle! I've only been low-balled one time. Another sign that the economic apocalypse is starting to ease up? Or is this just typical, non-confrontational, no-you-go-ahead-even-though-I've-had-the-right-of-way-for-a-full-six-minutes, Portland Behavior™?
If you'd like to take a gander at my online rummage sale and chuckle at all the ridiculous purchases I've made over the years, you can find it at portland.craigslist.org by searching: jeredm.
Enjoy your weekend.
Powell's gave me a little over $30 for a bunch of books I've acquired mostly from free boxes in the last few years. Southeast neighborhood sidewalks can be an oasis of cardboard goldmines, especially during the summer months. I delivered a DVD player to a nice young lady named Margot in NW. Another $9 in my pocket. Then I had an appointment at noon with Eric of Wire Audio Repair. He gave me a quick (and free) diagnosis of my guitar amp's ailment. He was personable and reassuring; I walked in thinking I was wasting his time with a worthless hunk of junk and walked out a half hour later feeling like I might make a quick hundred bucks or so if it just needs a little re-soldering like he says. After that, I went home, managed the craiglist account and set up an appointment with a college kid named Chris who wanted to buy my table/desk. Then I strategized a trip to the plasma bank, but soon realized there wouldn't be enough time before I had to return the errand-mobile to Anniliese up by the airport.
Chris came over at 5:30 and picked up the furniture. I had listed it for $45, but all he had was a $50, so I threw in a folding chair and we called it good. I've been really surprised at how smooth all my craigslist dealings have been lately. For the most part, it's been one email per item, from someone who's actually willing to buy it... at the listed price! Nobody wants to haggle! I've only been low-balled one time. Another sign that the economic apocalypse is starting to ease up? Or is this just typical, non-confrontational, no-you-go-ahead-even-though-I've-had-the-right-of-way-for-a-full-six-minutes, Portland Behavior™?
If you'd like to take a gander at my online rummage sale and chuckle at all the ridiculous purchases I've made over the years, you can find it at portland.craigslist.org by searching: jeredm.
Enjoy your weekend.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Rapidly Approaching Escape Velocity
Holy crap. I leave for Australia in ten days. Holy. Crap.
I have no money. I don't know anyone there. I have a plane ticket and a backpack and that's about it.
Did I mention I'm going for three months? Holy. Crap.
I've been taking trips to the plasma bank and listing all my junk on craigslist, just to pay the bills and get a little traveling money together. The plasma is selling, but the junk is not. Bright spot: Couchsurfing.org finally came through. I have a place to stay my first night in Sydney.
Any questions?
I have no money. I don't know anyone there. I have a plane ticket and a backpack and that's about it.
Did I mention I'm going for three months? Holy. Crap.
I've been taking trips to the plasma bank and listing all my junk on craigslist, just to pay the bills and get a little traveling money together. The plasma is selling, but the junk is not. Bright spot: Couchsurfing.org finally came through. I have a place to stay my first night in Sydney.
Any questions?
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