She LOVES the new tank!

Long story short, we have a new saltwater tank!

Long story long, we haven’t had a saltwater tank since before we were married and lived in Lansing! We’ve wanted one, of course—and Tom even bought a few tanks along the way—but with moving every few years it just isn’t practical. He had an 80-gallon (I think it was) tank specially made…that we eventually sold after moving a few times. Then he found a used system that we were planning on setting up here…but it got trashed in the move. We were reimbursed for it and Tom wanted to buy the same tank right away, but I told him to wait because we were in no hurry. Fast forward five months and he was perusing Craigslist and saw a really great tank for a really great price—and snapped it up!

It won’t have fish in it for a few months (we have to wait for the water to cycle and get healthy so it doesn’t kill the fish) but in the meantime, the kids LOVE it. Especially Katie. She will just go sit in front of it.

Finally, an amazing sale transaction.

Today rocked.

I listed our dining set yesterday. I get an email today about it…with fully formed sentences and no text speak!! I emailed back and got a reply within a half hour. She was able to come look at the table right away, she came when she said she was going to (almost to the minute!), and left a deposit and took some chairs with her. We even stood and chatted for 20 minutes because her husband is deploying soon, too.

Ahhh, that feels good. That’s how this stuff is SUPPOSED to work.

As as a bonus? We sold the table for more than we paid for it—though not by much, after you figure in what we paid for [feet] sliders and seat cushions!! But we weren’t out any money and that’s the best part!

And we have a playset!

We weren’t really planning on getting a big playset, but once I saw Owen playing on his little Step 2 playset and saw that he had really outgrown it…I looked on the local Yard Sales board and found exactly what we wanted, emailed the lady, and made plans to go look at it (it was 45 minutes away). I was excited because most of these types of sets are SUPER expensive and have too many things that Owen wouldn’t really use, but this one was actually quite reasonable and had things Owen would like (towers, ladders, a rock wall, and a tunnel!). We looked at it, Owen played on it and loved it, so we left a deposit last weekend and made plans to get it this weekend (Tom was in the field all last week).

I thought the process would take ALL day, possibly requiring two trips (and since it was 45m one way, two trips would have been dreadful)—even with our friend’s big trailer—because Tom had no one able to help him. But thankfully at the last minute I managed to get a friend’s husband to help (the ones buying our old playset!) and then one of our best friends was also able to help…and he also offered his big truck (which ended up being critical) and the whole thing was done in like two hours, not counting drive time! They had it apart and loaded on the trailer and truck in under an hour (the lady texted me to tell me and we were both amazed) and I think it took about the same to unload and put it together. YAY!

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“Mom! The number one!”

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“Mom! Look! It’s the letter A!”

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Testing out the bench.

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He had to run and get some cars…

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Are you done screwing the slide in so I can use it?

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Wheeee!

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Tunnel!!

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Uncle Tom! (A great picture that I’m ticked ended up blurry! I had an in-focus one but you couldn’t see Owen’s face.)

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The workers!

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Katie’s first swing!

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Also, as a bonus, we didn’t have to use any money from the savings account for the cost of the thing (which was not inconsequential). We had our stash of Craigslist/LejeuneYardSales cash from a few recent sales for the deposit last weekend, then I sold a bunch of stuff this week to finish out the rest of the payment. YAY!

Why can’t anything ever be easy?

I recently listed a baby item on LejeuneYardSales—a First Years Kickin’ Coaster. I got an email from a lady and through a loooong and extensive series of texts, was also going to sell her our swing and some baby clothes (which I just hadn’t gotten around to listing yet). It was about $250 worth…but let me tell you the whole story.

Since the clothes hadn’t been listed, they were not organized or sorted in any sense of the word. There were some in the closet, some in drawers, some on the floor, and some in the garage. I spent a good hour or more today getting it all sorted and counted. Because she had said she would take them all (because I said I would cut her a bit of a deal if she just took everything instead of cherrypicking), I kept texting her as I found more (just two big batches, really) so she wouldn’t know how much cash was required. I even sent her a picture of my scratch sheet showing how many onesies, swaddles, 2pc outfits, blankets, 3pc outfits, pants, shorts, etc., and then sent the sheet showing the breakdown of prices (like 72pcs @ $2 = $144 and 8pcs @ $4 = $32 for a total of $176) and then showing my total price of $150. And I texted a picture of the pile of clothes. So with the other two things she wanted, it was $225. And she was fine with it all. And wanted that total so her sister would have enough cash. And she kept texting me that she wasn’t sure when her sister would be there. Fine.

So it’s getting later and later and just as we’re making dinner and trying to feed the kids at 5:30, a car pulls in. Of course. But I think “This should be easy. We load her car, she gives me the cash, 10 minutes tops.”

Ha.

HAHA.

HAHAHAHAHAHA.

👿

So, first thing…this deal is all sorts of convoluted. The girl who initially emailed me is about 3-4 hours away, but the stuff is for her brother…but it’s a sister (who lives here) doing the picking up. Ay yi yi.

She has a snotty nose kid running around—ugh—that Owen was trying unsuccessfully to engage because he was a little young (poor Owen—he was trying so hard!). But what can you do? This should be quick. She wants to look through the clothes. Okay, that’s fine, I get that—to see that I didn’t misrepresent the quality. I say I’ve also thrown in a bunch of bibs, socks, wash cloths, and some lightly stained onesies. So she picks through one of the five bags and I can see her start thinking something along the lines of “this is not what I expected”…and I get a bad feeling but I don’t say anything and just let her be.

Then she asks about the chair—the Kicking Coaster—which is basically a moving base that the kid lays in and kicks at the stationary piece and it slides along a track and lights up and plays music. I tell her that actually—BONUS!—it’s not missing a piece like I had thought, and it even works better than I thought (both of which I mentioned in the listing). She’s like “Is this it? What does it do?” I explain it. She says she doesn’t want it because it doesn’t do anything. Um, your SISTER is the one who wanted it—you’re just picking it up. But I say okay, whatever.

She says she wants the swing can she see it. Of course. So I haul it over and she looks at it for like three seconds and says okay. Doesn’t ask for it to be plugged in or anything. And at this point, I don’t offer. So we get that in her back seat and go back to the porch with the clothes. She says “So, $150?” I say yes, for the clothes. No, she says, it’s $150 total, for everything. Oh no, I say, it’s $150 for the clothes alone, $225 total for everything. At which point she tells me there must be some misunderstanding because there’s no way her sister would have agreed to that much. I say she did, I texted her everything, with a clothes price and total price and she agreed. She was ADAMANT that I was wrong and her sister must not have understood. I tell her she can text her or whatever. She asks if she can go through the bags and just pick some pieces. I say no, not really, because I’ve already gone over this with your sister and she agreed to take everything if I gave her a good deal. She was still adamant I was wrong…so a call was placed to the sister.

And oh yes—SURPRISE!—the sister wanted EVERYTHING. :rolleyes: But the idiot girl who was picking it up didn’t bring enough cash (probably because she didn’t understand her sister’s texts or just flat out couldn’t believe it)—and then tells her sister it’s a lot of clothes and the mom-to-be probably would be too picky and not want all of them and besides she didn’t bring enough money. And then I get to hear the starting details of the money issues of this family. She was supposed to take the money from her sister’s bank account but didn’t get there so used her own money (which is why I’m guessing it wasn’t the full amount). Then after some back and forth, she hands the phone to me.

😐

Then I get to hear that she was paying out of her own money but her brother was paying her back but not until the end of the month so the $225 (or $150 for clothes) was a bit much. Could I do $100? UM, HELL NO. I said no, we agreed on $150 and that’s a reduction of $25 plus I got everything ready for you on short notice (remember, none of this was listed) and you said you’d even give me $25 for my trouble so really you are getting it for $125. Well, she asks, can she just pick out a few things? No, not tonight since it’s so late (by now it’s like almost 6pm!), but if she’d like to come back again this week, sure. But the prices will be a bit higher since you’re taking up my time and only picking a few pieces. I wanted to add AND THIS IS NOT A F***ING STORE.

So I hand her back to her sister and then they converse in Spanish—which, man I wish I knew Spanish, because up until then the entire conversation was in English so you know it was something they didn’t want me to hear. So the girl tells me she will just take the swing…do I have change? Nope. “Not even your husband?” Nope, sorry, we don’t carry cash. Which we might have had cash but at that point I was done with her. So she’s counting and counting and then says “How much for the swing and chair?” $75. Well she doesn’t have that change, either, so it’s off to the nearest gas station (5 miles either way) and she’ll be back. She unloads the swing and takes off. I haul everything in and Tom is like “WTF? Why didn’t she take anything?” I tell him the story and we make bets if we see her again. About 30 minutes later she pulls in and hands me $75. I say “Oh, so you want the chair, too?” No, she says, just the swing. I should have just taken it, but I am honest, so I said it was just $50. So I get $50, she tells me she’s done doing deals for her sister and she has told her sister that if she wants to drive here she can do the deal herself.

Good riddance.

Craigslist…AAAARRRGGGGHHHH!

I had a brand new item listed (complete with all the info Amazon has on it plus pictures) and some women emailed me about it, and scheduled her husband to pick it up today. There was no price negotiation at all, so I was thrilled. THRILLED!

So fast forward about five days to today, an hour before he’s supposed to pick it up, and he emails me and asks for more info, how much it sells for new, is the item new, what are the specs, etc.

Um, what?

Haven’t you already looked at the listing? And how is it MY responsibility to tell you how much the item sells for new? So I sent him the link and said I really didn’t have any more info, and was he still coming to pick it up?

His next email was asking if I’d take half what I was asking.

>:XX

NO.

NO NO NO.

Not 30 minutes before you’re supposed to pick the damn thing up and NO because you could have negotiated a week before and NO because apparently you’re an idiot and couldn’t even read the >:XX listing.

Ironically, had he/she/they negotiated the price at the beginning, I would have been fine with it. And it IS Craigslist so I should just expect morons as a matter of course, but I just. cannot. stand. shit like that.

So then he emails back “Well if you change your mind, email my wife.” Yeah, no. I told him we’re moving in three days so I’ll just sell it on the other end.

Yeah, I could have taken the money and been done with it, but I refuse to deal with morons if I can help it.

Another Craigslist Idiot

So I have a DVD box set listed. Some guy emailed me asking if I would take X and I replied I could take X + $5 and he agreed and gave me his number. I looked it up just for shits and giggles because I didn’t recognize the prefix—and it was from somewhere about an hour away…but I figured maybe he worked in the area and would pick it up next week.

So I called and left a message saying today before 2, tomorrow, or next week. He texts back tomorrow would be better…and oh, can I meet him halfway? Um, NO. My listing clearly says PICKUP ONLY (yes, in all caps and bold). I didn’t let on that I knew where he was (because it doesn’t matter) and I told him, Sorry, no. Then he says “Well I’m two hours away so it would cost me [price of item] to come get it.” I tell him my listing said where it was…so I assume he doesn’t want it now?

IDIOT. :##

Craiglist Idiots

When we first moved here, we had great luck with things we listed on Craigslist. No morons asking for 50-80% discounts, no one asking for us to ship items (when it clearly says PICKUP ONLY), no one haggling at all. It was heaven. Sigh.

But now, the idiots are out.

  • One person offered less than half of what we were asking for a set of DVDs. Now, I do leave room to haggle, but starting out offering a pittance will get you nowhere.
  • One person told me he could buy an older version of a remote control for much less. Well, yes, an older version doesn’t have the features MY newer version has…which is why mine costs MORE. Duh. :crazy:
  • One person told me the shower curtain I was selling should cost less because the item is used AND discontinued—and I wrote back and said it should actually cost MORE because it’s an in-demand item and I’ve seen them go for twice as much as I was asking.

But this is the current email conversation I’m having in trying to sell an old stereo receiver (the listing is VERY detailed):

Craigslist Idiot: do you still have this?

Me: Yes we do.

Craigslist Idiot: These are 10 year old models. Does all of its features work and can it be demoed?

Me: As I stated in the listing, we can show you that it can power on, but it cannot be demoed since we already have a new receiver hooked up. Please check my ebay feedback (as also stated in the listing) if you are concerned about our honesty regarding the status and quality of the product. Thanks!

Craigslist Idiot: I am just asking if the unit is 100% operable?

Me: Yes, it is. [By the way, this is clearly stated in the listing.]

Craigslist Idiot: Since it can’t be demod, can I pay with Paypal?

At this point I am so irritated with him, but I really want to get rid of this thing. I figure it would just be like an ebay transaction except with local pickup.

Me: Yes, that would be fine. My paypal email is the same as this.

Craigslist Idiot: [Two days later] Could I paypal you $100

ARGH!!!!!!!!!

I really want to tell this guy to take a flying leap. But I really want the money—and this thing—out of my house. But it just irritates the >:XX out of me that NOW he asks for a discount. I am tempted to email him back and say there has been other interest in the item, I can maybe go down $25 if he wants to come get it ASAP…and see what happens.

— time lapse —

Me: $100 cash or $125 via Paypal.

Craigslist Idiot: Why so much more for paypal? do you come out closer to Novi at all?

Me: It’s not so much that it’s more for paypal, but moreso that it’s a discount for handing over hard cash. I’m already discounting it by $25 for Paypal or $50 for cash. That said, Paypal is more of a hassle for me to get the cash in my hand.

[You notice I didn’t even address him wanting me to deliver it now?]

This guy is SOOOO irritating me, yet I can’t wait to see what he says next. I just can’t believe he’s bitching when I am offering him either a 20% or 33% discount!!! I really want to tell him to shit or get off the pot because this back and forth is ridiculous—you either want it or you don’t—but I want the money.

— time lapse —

Oh. My. Gawd.

Craigslist Idiot: I get paid today and will have $73-76 free after my insurance payment. Will that work.

Me: I’d like this deal to get worked out, but I cannot discount it that much. My last offer would be for you to pay half now (either $50 cash or about $63 Paypal) and I will hold the receiver (take it off Craigslist) until you have the rest of the money. If you then decide not to purchase it, you would lose your payment.

As an additional note, I do have someone else possibly interested in the unit, although no deals have been made.

Please let me know what you’d like to do.

Craigslist Idiot: What if I paid you the $70 I’ll have cash and $30 on paypal?

Me: I guess that would work. When can you pay me and pick up the item?

Craigslist Idiot: I am at work in Brighton. Can we meet in Novi or such?

Me: No. My ad clearly stated pickup only and I’m firm on that. Sorry.

At this point, I’m expecting him to come back and change his offer to $74.50 + package of licorice + Boyz II Men CD + some pocket lint.

— time lapse —

Well, I just decided I had had enough, and I wrote him back and told him the unit was taken (we will probably donate it and then write it off our taxes). I swear, I have never experienced so much run around on a stupid Craigslist item…EVER.

And I certainly don’t plan to do it again.

Craigslist Job Titles – UGH

I hate job titles on Craigslist that have NO bearing on the duties listed.

For example, I was intrigued by a job titled “Proposal Coordinator/Editor” under Writing Jobs. Now, tell me how the following job is anything but a secretary? :crazy:

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

Manages telephone coverage and assures coverage of the reception area at all times. Answers phones according to the office’s procedures, routes calls to appropriate staff, takes accurate messages, maintains a record of telephone messages, and holds messages for pick-up. Retrieves messages from voice mail as appropriate. Greets all visitors and assists them while waiting; directs and distribute deliveries to the appropriate staff. Presents a courteous and cheerful attitude to visitors and staff. Assists the Vice President with all building management calls and helps to develop appropriate protocols for fire drills, key maintenance, security, and other building related matters. Provides clerical support for the Vice President and staff, assisting with research activities and special projects as requested. Writes, edits and types correspondence, reports, memorandums, and other materials as assigned. Schedules meetings and tracks project timelines. Assists with mailings, including federal express and UPS, copying, assembling, stuffing and posting. Maintains all office supplies, equipment and other office support activities. Performs other duties as assigned by the Vice President Fishery Conservation and Management.

One of my friends commented:

The first section I have cut out 100% describes a receptionist position:

  • Manages telephone coverage and assures coverage of the reception area at all times. Answers phones according to the office’s procedures, routes calls to appropriate staff, takes accurate messages, maintains a record of telephone messages, and holds messages for pick-up. Retrieves messages from voice mail as appropriate. Greets all visitors and assists them while waiting; directs and distribute deliveries to the appropriate staff. Presents a courteous and cheerful attitude to visitors and staff.

Now in between “assur[ing] coverage of the reception area at all times” the candidate is supposed to sandwich in three other jobs:

  • Assists the Vice President with all building management calls and helps to develop appropriate protocols for fire drills, key maintenance, security, and other building related matters. Provides clerical support for the Vice President and staff, assisting with research activities and special projects as requested.
  • Writes, edits and types correspondence, reports, memorandums, and other materials as assigned. Schedules meetings and tracks project timelines.
  • Assists with mailings, including federal express and UPS, copying, assembling, stuffing and posting. Maintains all office supplies, equipment and other office support activities. Performs other duties as assigned by the Vice President Fishery Conservation and Management.

The proper job title for the non-editing tasks would be “Administrative Assistant” (which is NOT just a high-falutin’ euphemism for ‘secretary’ — it reflects the fact that the job requires more skills and responsibility than an ordinary secretary would have).

So this job description describes three different jobs.

1) receptionist
2) AA
3) proposal writer/editor

Translation: we need someone to write and edit proposals, but that only happens once a year. You’ll really be a receptionist most of the time, except during proposal time, when you’ll have to make the proposals appear like magic, on top of your regular workload. Oh, and while you’re in the office, you may as well keep busy, so do all the stuff we need an AA for as well.

:crazy:

Glider rocker has been purchased!

We weren’t planning on spending money on a glider rocker quite yet, but we knew we wanted one… so after we researched them (gotta love the Baby Bargains book) and saw that the recommended ones were $400+ (not including ottoman), it was off to the baby store to actually sit in one to test it out (to see if it was really worth the money).

We also knew from past experience that not all gliders are not created equal, and I knew I’d have to sit in one before buying it to make sure I fit (well, my hips that is). And I have to say that the gliders were nice. NICE. But there was NO WAY we could afford a new one. Besides, even if we could, we asked and they apparently take 10-12 weeks to come in!

So I checked Craigslist and there were a few, so I emailed them and decided on one. We went to check it out (glider PLUS ottoman!) and it fit well and was comfortable, so now we have a glider! YAY!