I listed a couch on Craigslist this weekend. It was a well used couch, offered at a cheap price, just to get rid of it.
Seems like a decent deal.
Public service announcement:
Dearest potential buyers, when you would like to purchase large items from people on Craigslist... get a truck before you call, please.
This is a big IKEA L-shaped EKTORP sectional couch rigged up with the pop-out bed, ottoman, and a storage drawer. We'd finally replaced it, since it was out of scale with the remodeled living room, with its higher ceiling and we wanted more layout flexibility. The removable cover was fairly worn and soiled from countless disasters involving the raising of a 5 year old and representative specimens of the milk, orange juice, Cheese-it and Fruit Loop food groups. The night before listing it, I took it apart and assembled the new couches.
Size-wise, this is what I consider "big"
This is a used but decent couch. The bones were in great shape, but the cover was shot. IKEA still sells covers of all colors and fabrics, but we thought it was time to replace the whole thing, rather than just a cover. I listed it on Craigslist at 9:30 am for $50. New, this beast goes for over $1,000 as equipped, but I wanted it out quick.
By 9:34 am, I'd already received my third inquiry. Everyone wanted it. I had to start a waiting list, just in case, while the first caller was "on their way". I lugged the massive slabs of couch scattered around the house out to the garage and put it together. Easy sale!
What followed was a full day of delay tactics, schenanigans, and no-shows. My phone rang and received texts constantly. Someone actually showed up,... in a bright red Honda Fit.
What?!!! The thing was the size of a pregnant roller-skate. They couldn't even fit half the cushions.
All day, it was a lack of hauling vehicle that kept people from showing up. The stories though...
"My dad will be home on Friday"
"I called my cousin, but he isn't calling me back"
"I'm trying to find a truck"
"My mom is coming over with her van"
"I'm on my way,... when I borrow a truck"
"Nooooooooooooo.... truuuuuuuuuk....".
I felt the day slipping away. Surely one of these peanut-heads would soon to get their hands on something with four wheels and a cargo bay or bed at some point, right?.. right?
Could someone even come up with a mid-sized vehicle that they could stuff into and lash on top? A Honda Element perhaps? A station wagon with a roof rack even? I offered local delivery for $30 (two trips in my truck), but apparently that was too steep. Heck, Home Depot will rent you a truck for $19.00.
Dear readers, if you were seeking and answering ads for a couch, wouldn't you be ready with a couch-capable vehicle? Of course you would, because you are bright, well-read people.
Finally, at 3:30 pm, working my way down the list to a dude who'd been waiting patiently for a few hours (while I dealt with a rabble of truck-less (friendless?) nincompoops). He showed up promptly, slapped fifty bucks in my hand, and loaded up a mini-van and a mini-pickup, before departing happily with his soft cushioned prize. That's how it's done folks, the man was clearly a genius.
If people want to buy my original Kindle, or a Palm Pilot, they can show up on a unicycle for all I care, but if they're shopping for a deal on a COUCH, get a damn truck first!