Craigslist tales
I am a craigslist shopper. I consider myself fairly smart about it. I had a situation arise last week that is mildly funny but super freaky. Just take a moment of caution if you are buying and selling on any internet site (facebook is full of swap pages these days).
If it is a small item I am selling or buying I try to get them to meet me at my work. While it is not the best place, it is better than my house! I try to be careful of what area I am getting something in and I try to always let people (Doug) know when & where I am going to be someplace.
So last week I had found a pottery gadget for sale (cheap) and I emailed and we agreed on a price and a pick up date and time. She informed me she would be home because she didn't have a car (I know it was a she as I get a name). So I take Espen with me and we go to this place. It is not in the worst part of town but in a run down area. I am familiar with the area because it is near Grandma's old house.
As I pulled up in front of the location I felt like this particular time I was in a weird place. Just a hunch I ignored. I had my little red zippy car with a child watching an ipad in the front seat. I took the keys. I made Espen stay in the car, with his seat belt on. I locked him in the car and ran up to the door. I had to go into a screened in porch to get to the front door. As I did I just felt like this one was not a good deal. I pushed it aside again. I knocked and a young white male opened the door. He had a swastika tattooed on his neck. HOLY CRAP. He swung open the door and said "come in". I said no thank you! Then over his shoulder, just inside the door, I saw a lady. She was giant. So large I do not think she could have gotten out of the chair to give me the item. She was holding up the pottery gadget. I literally ran the few steps to the lady, grabbed the item, tossed the cash and ran out the door. I WAS FREAKING OUT.
What the hell, Shelly? Was all I could say to myself as I sat in the car. I started up the car and quickly go the crap out of that neighborhood. Espen asked why we were driving so fast. All I could do was praise him for waiting for mommy in the car. OMG. I knew she didn't have a car. A swastika. A beautiful multi-racial child in the bright red car. What the crap. Any number of bad things could have happened.
Never go in a home. Never push aside the instincts. Yes of course it worked out but it could have ended so differently.
So today when I picked up a table for my pottery display for the farm, I purchased it from a man I have dealt with previously. We have acquired three things from him. And I was reminded of how differently my instincts were today than last week.
Be safe when purchasing from online persons. Do it in public areas. Trust your gut. Tell someone.
If it is a small item I am selling or buying I try to get them to meet me at my work. While it is not the best place, it is better than my house! I try to be careful of what area I am getting something in and I try to always let people (Doug) know when & where I am going to be someplace. So last week I had found a pottery gadget for sale (cheap) and I emailed and we agreed on a price and a pick up date and time. She informed me she would be home because she didn't have a car (I know it was a she as I get a name). So I take Espen with me and we go to this place. It is not in the worst part of town but in a run down area. I am familiar with the area because it is near Grandma's old house.
As I pulled up in front of the location I felt like this particular time I was in a weird place. Just a hunch I ignored. I had my little red zippy car with a child watching an ipad in the front seat. I took the keys. I made Espen stay in the car, with his seat belt on. I locked him in the car and ran up to the door. I had to go into a screened in porch to get to the front door. As I did I just felt like this one was not a good deal. I pushed it aside again. I knocked and a young white male opened the door. He had a swastika tattooed on his neck. HOLY CRAP. He swung open the door and said "come in". I said no thank you! Then over his shoulder, just inside the door, I saw a lady. She was giant. So large I do not think she could have gotten out of the chair to give me the item. She was holding up the pottery gadget. I literally ran the few steps to the lady, grabbed the item, tossed the cash and ran out the door. I WAS FREAKING OUT.
What the hell, Shelly? Was all I could say to myself as I sat in the car. I started up the car and quickly go the crap out of that neighborhood. Espen asked why we were driving so fast. All I could do was praise him for waiting for mommy in the car. OMG. I knew she didn't have a car. A swastika. A beautiful multi-racial child in the bright red car. What the crap. Any number of bad things could have happened.
Never go in a home. Never push aside the instincts. Yes of course it worked out but it could have ended so differently.
So today when I picked up a table for my pottery display for the farm, I purchased it from a man I have dealt with previously. We have acquired three things from him. And I was reminded of how differently my instincts were today than last week.
Be safe when purchasing from online persons. Do it in public areas. Trust your gut. Tell someone.
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