Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Before It All Goes Down...

Hey...remember me?  I used to blog here every once in a while.  Yup, that's me! ;)

I’ve been on a bit of a hiatus, but not by my choosing.  That pesky thing called life got in the way.  I won’t bore you with all of the details, but a couple little things like a merger, a year end, budget deadlines, my birthday, my parent’s coming up to visit for two weekends and my beautiful neighbor’s baby shower has had me quite busy and unmotivated to crack the laptop open in my spare time.

But my longing for blogland has crept back in and forced me to find time to blog even though my work schedule hasn’t calmed down yet.  What can I say...I’ve missed you guys!! :)

Last time we chatted {ya know, via the interwebs} I was gushing over two pieces of mid-century modern furniture that I was dying to pick up from a Craigslist ad I saw. 



Okay, so maybe I wasn’t dyingggg for the actual transaction, but rather having those beauties in my possession.  Is it just me, or does anyone else feel a twinge of anxiety before buying or selling on Craigslist?  I’m always so excited for whatever treasure I’m about to own, but then the reality sets in that I’m about to have an awkward exchange with a complete stranger.  I get super nervous and uncomfortable.  Thankfully, I’ve never dealt with a really bad transaction before, but that doesn't keep me from breaking into a sweat before each one goes down.

Thankfully, this was the most enjoyable meeting to date!  Hubs and I rented a U-haul van to pick the furniture up.

 
{Unfortunately, we own two sedans, so there is no way we’d be fitting a dresser/mirror or chest of drawers in either car...let alone both!  So for an extra $60...$19.99 for the rental, $10 insurance coverage, $.99/mile and topping off the gas...we were able to comfortably transport two larger pieces of furniture.  I had no problem paying an extra $60 for the furniture since we were getting both pieces for $100.} 

Once we arrived at the house we were greeted by the sweetest elderly couple we have ever met!  We thoroughly enjoyed chatting with them while we brought everything outside and loaded it up in the van.


We even hung out in their driveway and talked some more before the wife insisted they stop talking our ear off so we could get home and on with our day.

It’s transactions like that that keep me going back to Craigslist for more.  I mean, what is better than getting gorgeous furniture, for an amazing price, from such kind people?!?


Anyone else have terrific CL transactions like that?  I’d ask about awful experiences, but I’m too afraid that you’ll scar me for forever. ;)

46 comments:

  1. yes, amen for those types of transactions! i have had people contact me after i have purchased from them in case i want something else before they post it- so nice! and i met one of my closest friends here through selling her something on craigslist!

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    1. For sure! I can't believe that...so awesome, Cassie! :)

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  2. I'm excited to see what you end up doing with these! They are so gorgeous - those legs!!!

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  3. Hah! It's like we're the same person! I wanntttt the deals from Craigslist. I do not want to talk to strangers. But usually the cheap stuff wins. ;)

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    1. Hahaha...obviously. ;) Right?!?! I always get so excited about the stuff, and then reality sets in. Dang it!

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  4. I love browsing Craigslist but I end up chickening out of buying things I like because of the whole talking-to-strangers factor. Plus, some areas around me aren't the best area to be in and it seems that is where I find the low prices on things I like...

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    1. I don't blame you for chickening out, especially if the area is dicey. Normally, I won't even inquire about certain items if they are from a particular area. You never know who is on the other end of the deal!

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  5. We bought Jesse's truck from a sweet couple on Craigslist! It was right after we got married and they invited us inside and we sat around and chatted while they showed us pictures of their grandchildren.

    There are other times when I'm like totally skeeved out and nervous.

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    1. Aw, so cute!!

      Ack, yea...I hear ya. Craigslist totally makes me sweat! Hahaha.

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  6. Craigslist buys are always a bit awkward. It's worse when you're a seller because you have a potential weirdo coming over and if it doesn't go well, they know where you live now.

    Generally, I've had positive experiences, but most of my purchases were power tool or carptentry related.. so we end up yapping about projects and tools and stuff. It's been a net positive experience on my end.

    Good luck with the furniture.. they look brilliant!

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    1. Oh.my.gosh. RIGHT?!?!?! I always get super nervous when it comes to the time that I have to reveal where we live. Ahhhhhh!

      Thank you! :)

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  7. i always hate those transactions....usually i am good at scheduling it so adam has to go with a buddy or something ;)

    but really you got some goodies and the extra 60 bucks was worth it. i mean, look at that deal!!

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    1. I'm glad it's not just me haha. I always have my hubby with me during them...otherwise it'd be a no go. My very first one I made my hubby and one of his big, strong friends come with. I wanted to make sure I had bodyguards just in case. ;)

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  8. I agree! Craigslist can be a bit weird sometimes. I've always avoided buying larger pieces because we both have smaller cars as well and I was too lazy to price out a Uhaul. Good call there, especially if you get a good deal!

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    1. All of our items have been big ones...so usually we borrowed my hubby's dad's truck...but then we moved far from them, so desperate times call for desperate measures haha. :)

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  9. That is so cute. I'm glad they weren't scary! lol. I definitely make Kevin take care of it!
    I love those dressers! They are probably going to look awesome in your house =)

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    1. Thanks so much, Kelly! :) I'm not sure if my hubby would ever go on all my Craigslist adventures solo...but he doesn't mind going with me to make sure I'm safe haha.

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  10. I sold some thing on Craigslist once before I moved - I also did not want to meet strangers - so I would have them come to my apartment building lobby, where every guest has to get buzzed in & sign in at the front desk etc. For a couple of days, my phone would buzz, I'd go down the elevator with whatever the item was - blender - shoes - a gazelle exercise machine - handbags - and the potential seller could try them out & yay or nay them. I am sure the front desk thought I was a complete loon, but I felt safe knowing that, at the very least there were always people around & these people would be on camera (if they ever come back for me and do the awful things that everyone imagines is going to happen when you do a treasure hunt exchange on Craigslist!!)

    My old roommate and I had also found some great things on Craigslist - for free - like an amazing long curved L-shaped bar from the 70's and a box of vintage clothes (including Chanel). Our rule was we go in 3's and we always left the address/directions/email of where we were going and who we were going to meet behind on the coffee table for someone to find. Knock wood, we've never ever met any creepers!!

    ...but there ARE so many great finds out there (you just found two of them!!) - it's hard to resist. (and no matter what the item is you're looking at, there's always that initial awkwardness of conducting business with a stranger!!)

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    1. You had such a good plan...it's great that everything would be on camera...you know, just in case. ;) Plus, going in 3's and leaving all the info is super smart too! Good for you!!

      And wowzers...you old roommate seriously made out on CL! See, so many good deals to find, as long as you are willing to risk the awkward/scary transaction haha.

      Thanks for stopping by Gigi! :)

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  11. I was wondering where you were ;)
    I get very uncomfortable too about a craigslist transactions and I have been trying to train the hubby to go instead of me. I had one bad meeting that pretty much left me scared and almost in tears. So now I try to have him go.

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    1. I KNOW. My life has been beyond hectic lately. I hate how disconnected I've been!!

      Oh nooooo, I'm so sorry to hear that! :( I don't blame you for having him go instead. I give you props for even using CL again after that!!

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  12. My favorites are family run estate sales that I find through Craigslist. I always meet the nicest people, learn a little bit about my local history and the 'heirlooms' which they are about to bestow upon me. It usually results in both parties being thrilled about furniture items finding a new, loving home. Many of the sellers are just happy not to move the furniture themselves or see their life-long treasures go to the dump. It is a win/win all around. So happy that you found these beauties and enjoyed the transaction.

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    1. Thanks so much! I really want to go to an estate sale...and I'm kind of shocked I haven't yet...but I bet they are really cool experiences. You just made me want to go to one even more! :)

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  13. I was wondering where you went...glad you are back :) Craigslist is a scary place. I have always had my husband with me. xo Kristin

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    1. I knowwww, life has been too hectic lately! Being disconnected from you guys is the worst!

      Good call on keeping the hubby with you...I do too, otherwise I'd be terrified haha.

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  14. We sold our table on CL recently, and the couple was super late coming to pick it up. When they got there I was just getting the boys out of the bath, so I threw clothes on them really quick, but I couldnt find Jacks underwear so I just had him go commando for a minute so I could deal with selling the table. They were super nice (the couple) and as we were taking apart the table for them, Jack walked in, pulled down his pants, grabbed his junk and said 'Why dont I have underwear?!'

    So...that was awkward.

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    1. That is both blog worthy and absolutely hilarious!

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    2. HAHAHAHAHA! I loved this comment. THanks for the laugh Bekah!!

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    3. BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! That literally just made me burst out laughing at my desk. Now my co-workers think I'm a crazy person. What a great story...thanks for sharing Bekah! :)

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  15. I can't wait to see what you do! & I LMAO'd about Bekah's comment, hahaha!

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  16. These pieces are gorgeous! Glad you had such a good experience : )

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  17. Even with the van rental, it was a steal! Can't wait to see what you will do to them. I haven't had a great or bad experience, but I'm like you, I get freaked out when meeting someone from CL. We recently got a pick up truck, and I cannot wait to start shopping for big bulky furniture that we couldn't load in our cars before. Seems you are a busy lady lately, it's nice to take a break once in a while, or in my case, for weeks at a time ;).

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    1. Agreed!! I was totally fine with spending the extra cash for the rental to pick the pieces up. I'm so jealous of your truck...hubby always says he wants to buy one, but I'm on the fence. Plus, I'll probably end up turning our basement into furniture makeover land haha!

      Yes, it's been nuts, and I've been missing you guys! But like you said..sometimes you have to get away for a while! ;)

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  18. Wow that is a good deal. After you posted about craigslist I couldn't find anything on craigslist and ended up at my local thrift store and came home with a china cabinet. Nothing like yours those are gorgeous. Now I will probably spend the rest of the night on craigslist to try and find a gem. Fingers crossed.

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    1. Fingers definitely crossed! I hope you found something great! I love the thrill of finding a wonderful piece to pour some TLC into. :)

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  19. Yay for sweet CL finds!! I had a similar experience when I purchased my jewelry armoire. The nicest little old lady was waiting outside for me to get to her house and she just couldn't believe how fast the internet worked (she listed it the same day I bought it!) Her reaction was so cute. :)

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    1. Awww, that is just too darn sweet!! Gotta love it! :)

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  20. I love CL. I have always had go luck and te people have been pretty swell. Great finds!

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    1. Me too...I don't know what I'd do without it. I certainly wouldn't have 75% of my home furnished...

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  21. Old people are the best!! Can't wait to see what you do with your new treasures!

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  22. Great finds! Most of our buying CL experiences have been good. The old people are definitely the best. :)

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    1. For sure...they are so much fun to do business with. :)

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