Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Tales from Craig's List

I have been trying to sell some of our old crap on Craig's List. Although most of my items have been listed for over a month, only one item sold quickly - a clothing rack from a department store. This was the item I thought was least likely to sell, so I was a little surprised when several people contacted me about purchasing the clothing rack.

Most of the items I listed were baby related, and no-one seemed interested. I had basically given up on selling our junk. But then I suddenly received an email about our used stroller/carseat travel system (which I had listed for dirt cheap). The woman was eager to pick up the travel system that night.

She was supposed to arrive at 5:30 pm. I was annoyed when she showed up 20 mintues late, because she was interrupting our dinner time. When I opened the front door, I was surprised to see an older woman staring back at me. For some reason, I was expecting a pregnant woman to be on the other side of the door.

I invited the woman inside to look at our stroller and carseat. She was very impressed with the travel system, and eagerly handed me the money. While lugging the stroller out the door, she explained that she had a 1 month-old foster child waiting in her minivan. My heart crumbled. I felt bad even accepting money from this dear woman. She was offering her heart and home to a baby in need, and I was pissed off because she came during dinner time.

I am a petty, selfish person. I hope that someday I can be as selfless as this woman.

16 comments:

Antropóloga said...

See? Just takes time and most things will sell!

My parents-in-law had a foster child for several years. It can be hard work, too.

Amanda said...

I'm glad that's another thing sold ~ every little penny helps at this time of year.
Love,
Amanda x

Just Jiff said...

Wow. I would've felt badly too, but honestly there was nothing to feel badly about.

She left a one month old baby in a stranger's driveway while she went inside the house?? I hope there was another adult with that baby in her van. Sorry to pick that out, but I get upset when babies and kids are left in cars alone. :(

Laura Marchant said...

Was the baby not in a carseat on the drive over?

dani said...

i'm glad you were able to sell it. christy, you said it was dirt cheap; it sounds like it was a good deal for both of you. further, the fact that you felt badly about your misplaced frustration with the woman's timing speaks much louder of the person you are than the fact that you were frustrated:)
much love,
dani

amanda said...

pretty sure becoming a mom equals total selflessness!!

seriously :)

happy turkey day friend!

Marni's Organized Mess said...

:-) I LOVE Craigslist.

Kate Coveny Hood said...

Well - how were you supposed to know?! But it just proves a point that I constantly make to my husband: "you never know - there may be a good reason." He calls it making excuses for people (which apparently - I do all the time). I think of it as giving people the benefit of the doubt. It's usually a 50/50 split of how often each of us is right.

Tabitha said...

I am pleased that you have managed to sell some items ~ I have been listing items on E bay tonight!!
What a lovely story about that lady ~ she sounds very special!
Love and hugs XXXXXX

Rachel said...

Ah what a wonderful story. But dont beat yourself up with time with john and the kids is special time. I am happy that she warmed your heart as your story has done for me.

TEACHBROECK said...

'tis the season..I am scared of Craigslist...stalkers and all.

Mary said...

I've had trouble selling stuff on Craigslist too-it's always the weird things (like clothing racks) that seem to go first. At least you made a bit of money and the carseat/stroller went to someone who really needed it.

Kris said...

I don't think your petty and selfish at all... if you were you wouldn't have felt bad afterwards.

I have stuff I'd like to sell & have tried on ebay but not craigslist, I should try that! Thansk for the idea lol.

I'm afraid to sell/get rid of any baby items though... most of them I wouldn't anyway (would be silly of me) but even the ones that didn't work out (like the slings that didn't fit).. I'm afraid I'll regret it later w/ our next or next or so lol.

moo said...

You had expectations. The reality was totally different than them. That's all that happened.

Oh, and you got some extra cash for the holidays! Sweet!

Danielle said...

being a mom is selfless!

I hope to someday foster a child. All of the my dad and his sibling spent time in foster care.

I am going to have to try out Craig's List. Happy Turkey day

Jenny said...

it really makes you think when you have a moment like that...that is for sure!