![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
On television
Jun. 9th, 2007 05:59 pmTerrible Craigslist Experience
I exchanged a few e-mails with a woman who was selling the family television: a big ol' 27" HDTV, early 21st-century vintage, a good deal at $125. ("We're moving across the continent," they said.) After getting a handle on the model's dimensions and features, I let her know in no uncertain terms: "I am going to buy your television!" We had arranged to perform the exchange last Sunday evening, but earlier that day Sabrina had injured her shoulder, so I gave the seller a call.
"Can we pick it up later in the week? How about Tuesday evening?"
"Okay, 6:30pm should work."
"Alright, see you then."
"Sure. I have had other offers."
"I understand. Thanks for holding onto it for us."
Tuesday rolls around, Sabrina and I pack the handtruck into the Toyota, and we roll on down to the seller's apartment. I call up to let them know we've arrived.
"Hi, I'm Adam, I'm buying your television!"
Some guy answers. The seller's husband, I guess. "Television? What television?"
"You know ... from Craigslist."
"Oh. Oh, the television. Not here anymore. We sold that on Sunday."
Pause. "Oh. Thanks." Click!
Now, I suppose I should have been able to tell on Sunday that we weren't going to get the TV: the woman spoke to me as if I were a high school student asking for an extra few days to finish a paper—she was condescending, smarmy almost. But she had my phone number. She had my e-mail address. Would it have killed her to let me know that she'd sold the TV to someone else?
Studio 60
We're still watching this show for some reason. Last week's episode was trash, but this week's was garbage. I grew up among "crazy" Christians, and never once witnessed someone drop to their knees in a crowded room and spontaneously bust out the prayin'. The only possible reason I can think of for the show's constant misfires on everything religious: Aaron Sorkin has never actually met a Christian. Think about it. It would explain a lot.
I exchanged a few e-mails with a woman who was selling the family television: a big ol' 27" HDTV, early 21st-century vintage, a good deal at $125. ("We're moving across the continent," they said.) After getting a handle on the model's dimensions and features, I let her know in no uncertain terms: "I am going to buy your television!" We had arranged to perform the exchange last Sunday evening, but earlier that day Sabrina had injured her shoulder, so I gave the seller a call.
"Can we pick it up later in the week? How about Tuesday evening?"
"Okay, 6:30pm should work."
"Alright, see you then."
"Sure. I have had other offers."
"I understand. Thanks for holding onto it for us."
Tuesday rolls around, Sabrina and I pack the handtruck into the Toyota, and we roll on down to the seller's apartment. I call up to let them know we've arrived.
"Hi, I'm Adam, I'm buying your television!"
Some guy answers. The seller's husband, I guess. "Television? What television?"
"You know ... from Craigslist."
"Oh. Oh, the television. Not here anymore. We sold that on Sunday."
Pause. "Oh. Thanks." Click!
Now, I suppose I should have been able to tell on Sunday that we weren't going to get the TV: the woman spoke to me as if I were a high school student asking for an extra few days to finish a paper—she was condescending, smarmy almost. But she had my phone number. She had my e-mail address. Would it have killed her to let me know that she'd sold the TV to someone else?
Studio 60
We're still watching this show for some reason. Last week's episode was trash, but this week's was garbage. I grew up among "crazy" Christians, and never once witnessed someone drop to their knees in a crowded room and spontaneously bust out the prayin'. The only possible reason I can think of for the show's constant misfires on everything religious: Aaron Sorkin has never actually met a Christian. Think about it. It would explain a lot.
