craigslist stories

This craigslist thing has become really interesting. Ive met a few people now who have bought items from me and it seems like they all have a story. For some reason people have this need to explain themselves I think. All of the people who have picked up items from me have told me the story behind it, I guess for some reason they feel they need to. I find it intriguing and thought I would share a few from the last couple of weeks.

Teresa- bag of stuffed animals
After a couple of failed attempts to give this bag away Teresa continued to email me for almost a week. She seemed really nice and polite and really wanted these teddy bears! I had explained in my ad that I was in fact a 33 year old woman who still had stuffed animals and needed to get rid of them before I changed my mind. (Why I have so many teddy bears, bunnies and dolls I can not figure out.) So I decided Teresa was the person to give them to. I wanted them to go to a good home you know? She came to pick them up after work one day and we stood outside chatting for almost half an hour. She was sweet, probably in her 40′s and explained to me why she wanted the stuffed animals. Her two young nieces have been staying with her while her sister can get back on her feet from a bad divorce. The girls came to stay with her unexpectedly one day last week and she had no children’s playthings for them. I guess the girls have had a hard life so far, and their aunt took them into her arms. One has been traumatised so badly she jumps at a pin drop. Teresa says shes been searching for things like this for a while now. She even double checked with me to see if I really really wanted to give them up ha ha. I felt better giving them to her for free rather than take money from her. Those girls deserve them.

Edward- Silk Flowers
I figured what the heck and put a bunch of silk flowers up for sale even though they aren’t much. Red tulips and a bunch of little yellow sunflowers. I attached a picture and posted it and I swear not two minutes later did I get a call. I was surprised it was from a man, but wanted to get rid of them so I didn’t question him. He came by Saturday afternoon and was very quiet spoken. “I’m here for the flowers” he said as I opened the door. I smiled and handed him the bag I had prepared for him earlier. He reached in his pockets and said “Ill bet you are wondering why a grown man is buying silk flowers for huh?” I shook my head and laughed, “no its fine” I said. He told me his best friend had just had a heart attack the night before and he wanted to bring him some flowers to the hospital. “Hes going to be in there for a while, so I thought about buying him some flowers from the store but they never last. These will brighten his day.” I gave him his money back and grabbed a nearby vase to give him before he left. I hope his friend will be okay.

Quint- Dog crate
So when Cody was little I used a large portable dog kennel to house train him. He grew so fast he just didn’t fit in the thing anymore! Ive had it now for three years and haven’t used it once. Get rid of it I told myself. So I put up an ad. Quint was the only person to actually call me about it, while others sent emails. He wanted it right off the bat and promised me he would be by on Wednesday night, but when I got a call from him that evening I knew he wasn’t coming. “My wife kidnapped me and is making me tie ribbons on our wedding announcements” That is way more important I thought, and told him so after my congratulations. He came by the next day after work. He explained he needs the crate for his dog while she stays at their friends house during their honeymoon in Jamaica. “Jamaica!” I exclaimed. He said “yes, we’ve been there before but this time Im taking my little sister with us.” I thought for a second that seemed a little strange, but then he said “I haven’t seen her since I was seven” When I inquired he told me that they had been in foster homes and had gotten adopted to different families when they were quite young. He found her through an Internet site and they plan on meeting again for the first time in almost 30 years. Amazing.

Paul- Printer
Last night at about 8:30 I got what I thought was a prank call. “hello?” I answered… then the creepiest mans voice came on the line and said “hello is this Jenni?” He was talking in a low tone, very breathy and quiet (Like Igor from Frankenstein ). I was instantly creeped out. “Yes” I said apprehensively while clutching my own throat. “We have been emailing about the printer…” he wheezed. “yes…I am holding it for you”I said, and found myself pacing the floor nervously hoping it was a joke. He told me he would be by the next night to pick it up. Okay…Seriously all day today I have been thinking of the safest way to answer my door to this guy…worried that he may be a weirdo. Tonight I get a call from his SISTER who sounds annoyed right off the bat “hi you talked to my brother last night about the printer?” yes I said instantly feeling a twinge of anxiety before she said “he said you sounded scared of him, he just had a full laryngectomy and cant speak very well…” I felt sooooo bad. I envisioned a big girl with pig tails on a school playground threatening to punch me. “I’m so sorry” I said, “I hope I didnt offend him but I couldnt hear him very well…” She remained perturbed at me and asked if they could still come by for the printer. “Of course, I am holding it for him” I told her. I could hear him in the background wheezing sentences to her so she could relay them to me. Ugh. I feel horrible. Talk about judging a book by its cover eh? I hope his sister doesn’t kick my arse tonight…

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(¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`•. jenni