Craigslist Find Project

[umberto]

Looks like it's time to say goodbye to Flipper.  It's going to make somebody a really good bike.  

http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/mcy/5899932439.html



Boy she's come a long way:

[sandblaster]

Wow... nice job!

[umberto]

Thank you Sandblaster!  I had a lot of fun working on it, and it actually was a lot of fun to ride. I'm kind of going to miss it a little bit.

[DP3601]

That 250 looks great compared to when you picked it up!! 

Hmmm... OKC  Just up the road from me, I have been wanting a good 03 or 04 KX 250.....

[umberto]

Where are you located DP3601?  I think you would like this bike, it's turned out to be really good little scooter.  Maybe Santa Claus could bring you a bike for Christmas.    

[DP3601]

Im in the DFW area...

[umberto]

My contact info is on the Craigslist ad.  Shoot me a text if you want to come take a look.  It's crazy season at work, but I am free evenings and weekends. 

[umberto]

I forgot how much fun it was to deal with people on Craigslist.  So far I've had a guy call me and talk my ear off (telling me his life story) only to not show up or answer his phone the next day, two scammers that could barely speak English, and two guys that texted me after midnight on a work night. 



I guess you get what you pay for in a free service.   

[umberto]

I've always categorized annoying Craigslist people in a few categories.  There is:

The Scammer - From another country and just looking to follow my scam script no matter how much you call me an assclown.  (2 so far)
The Dreamer - I don't have the money to buy this, but I'm going to waste as much of your time as possible. (1 so far, who was also a...)
Mr. Unnecessary Information - I may or may not buy your bike, but I'm going to get you updated on my entire life's history either way.  If you're lucky, I'll branch out to family members as well. (1 so far)
Lack of Boundries guy - I'll call you when you say text only, or I'll text or call after hours.  (2 so far)

I was missing out on two of them, but now I'm down to one.  Today I got this text from:

Mr. Lowball - I don't care that you've only had it on Craigslist for a week, I think you must be desperate, or I firmly believe in if you don't go, you won't know.  (1 so far)


It's been a rough week at work; it's peak and one of my key employees just had an emergency appendectomy.  Maybe I'm a little bit cranky.  

All I'm missing is:

The Irrational Trade Guy - I think you want to trade for my collector's edition Obi Wan doll, no matter how much you said no trades in the ad.  You just don't know you want it, and it's worth at least twice what your bike is, because I say so.  (0 so far)

[sandblaster]

Lol..
On ebay I have all the frequently asked questions listed... So if you ask a question, there is several categories that say the exact same thing.
Will you take "X" for your part....
What I want to say and what I actually say are two different things...
For instance...
"I know you say that you won't take offers, but how would you feel about "X" ?

I want to say," Ah, seriously? I make it absolutely clear that I don't take offers and you are actually wasting my time? Dude!!!

What I actually say...,
Hello.
I appreciate the interest but with high shipping costs, eBay fees, PayPal fees, and the cost of buying these bikes, let alone the processing time getting these ready for sale, high Federal and State tax rates on businesses, insurance, building cost, utilities, payroll taxes, workmans compensation, Saif, ect, ect, I must respectfully decline.
Best regards..

[umberto]

Boy I hear you on all the fees associated with running a small business.  Healthcare, payroll taxes, minimum wage hikes, franchise fees, etc.  It's hard to make a profit.  Dealing with the public is a treat sometimes too. I think if it weren't for my faith, my family, my doggos, and my dirt bikes, I'd be a cranky old man living in a cave.   

[umberto]

I sold Flipper tonight to a really nice man who is going to start riding with his son.  I had a lot of fun working on it, and made a nice little profit.  Yay!

[mikectanker]

Profit on a bike! I did that once In 20 years!
Being self employed or owning your own business is a  real bitch sometimes. After 10 years I don't  think I could go to work for someone else.  There's more work but the added freedom and control of decisions is something I can't ever give up. And when it's busy enough to  be stressful, that means I'm making good money instead of the same hourly wage. When it's slow I play with dirtbikes and my kids and I don't stress over it.

[umberto]

I've always categorized annoying Craigslist people in a few categories.  There is:

The Scammer - From another country and just looking to follow my scam script no matter how much you call me an assclown.  (2 so far)
The Dreamer - I don't have the money to buy this, but I'm going to waste as much of your time as possible. (1 so far, who was also a...)
Mr. Unnecessary Information - I may or may not buy your bike, but I'm going to get you updated on my entire life's history either way.  If you're lucky, I'll branch out to family members as well. (1 so far)
Lack of Boundries guy - I'll call you when you say text only, or I'll text or call after hours.  (2 so far)

I was missing out on two of them, but now I'm down to one.  Today I got this text from:

Mr. Lowball - I don't care that you've only had it on Craigslist for a week, I think you must be desperate, or I firmly believe in if you don't go, you won't know.  (1 so far)


It's been a rough week at work; it's peak and one of my key employees just had an emergency appendectomy.  Maybe I'm a little bit cranky.  

All I'm missing is:

The Irrational Trade Guy - I think you want to trade for my collector's edition Obi Wan doll, no matter how much you said no trades in the ad.  You just don't know you want it, and it's worth at least twice what your bike is, because I say so.  (0 so far)

Mr Trade Guy showed up yesterday.  It wasn't Irrational Trade Guy, but close.  He wanted to trade me a four wheeler straight up.  It was a nice four wheeler, but the ad said no trades so I'm going to count him.

[umberto]

Profit on a bike! I did that once In 20 years!
Being self employed or owning your own business is a  real bitch sometimes. After 10 years I don't  think I could go to work for someone else.  There's more work but the added freedom and control of decisions is something I can't ever give up. And when it's busy enough to  be stressful, that means I'm making good money instead of the same hourly wage. When it's slow I play with dirtbikes and my kids and I don't stress over it.

I agree, I could never go back to working for someone else.  When you work for someone else and your boss is an idiot, it's a lot harder to deal with.  If I make a bad decision, I learn and move on. 

There are days I wish my business wasn't in retail.  People are just nuts sometimes.  And whoever said, "The customer is always right." never worked in retail.