Cheap bastards
So. I'm leaving town, as I've resigned from my job, and I need a place to collect myself for another try at this whole "life" thing. Seeing as I intend to travel light, this means I need to sell a lot of my stuff, and minimize on my possessions. During the painful process of sloughing off the detritus of my existence, I've discovered a tendency for some people to be grasping, cheap bastards. Examples:
- I post an online listing to sell my computer, a machine whose component parts are easily worth over $600, for $300. I receive an e-mail from someone offering $100.
- I post an online listing to sell my computer speakers, which retail for about $300, for $100. I receive an e-mail from someone else, offering $40.
- I post an online listing to sell a bunch of DVDs at an average cost of $4.17 per disc. I receive an e-mail from someone trying to buy them for an average of $2.50 per disc.
These were all offers from entirely separate members of the human race. What these guys don't know, unfortunately for them, is that I'm a particularly intractable bargainer. The reason for this is, frankly, because I don't give a shit about "making the sale." I would rather my DVDs or books go to the local library for the public good, as opposed to some douchebag hoping to turn a 500% profit on eBay.
Don't want to pay the price I ask? Fine, go get a library card.
Try to jerk me around with stalling tactics? Feel free to receive an e-mail in response your latest inquiry, entitled "Sorry, it's already been sold."
Try to lead me off with a ludicrously low bid? Enjoy the soothing sounds of the dial tone.
It seems everyone wants to be a middleman these days.
After this experience, I have the utmost respect for those people who are able to perform in customer service or retail jobs without stabbing the occasional customer with the nearest sharp object.