Craigslist Treasures

Belated Post.This was supposed to show up yesterday.I used to browse Craigslist as a way to kill time on slow days at work, but the need to replace some dying furniture made it a more serious search. Even at a liquidation size discount, completely new is out of my budget. Craigslist has a lot of used junk on it, but now and again you find something nice at a bargain price like this bedroom set I bought for $150.

The bed is only a double bed, but I'm pretty sure the frame will accomodate a queen set if I find a good deal on one. There's blanket chest ($35) too which I initially said no about, but I'm reconsidering. I hate to break up a set and it would be nice to have some extra storage even if it limits my space. I pick up tonight and I'll post pictures once I get it set up and dressed. Huzzah for Craigslist.

Well, the bed is in, but the dresser and blanket chest (yes, I opted to take it) are still loaded into the back of the CR-V. Just ran out of time last night. As for why I'm hauling furniture in my vehicle when I could have just rented a U-Haul? I tried, but they lived up to their nickname, U-Hell, once again. A very rude clerk named Kim Chandler was the cause. She didn't properly explain (or understand) how their insurance contract works. She tried to tell me that when the contract said that payment for any damage is due immediately by cash, credit card, or check that it didn't mean immediately. I worked for U-Hell's competitor in their call center in PA. I can also do this thing called "reading", so I know she was full of sh*t. If you refuse their insurance and something happens, you are responsible for the entire amount of the damage up front. It doesn't matter if you have insurance or not. This is how their contract is worded and a standard practice for this business at the time I worked in it. I can't say how many times I had to explain this fact to customers and tell them this was standard to all of the major self-moving companies. Perhaps the policy has changed in the intervening years. The straw that broke the fox's back, however, was when I indicated that I would rather not leave my drivers license and credit card and that I would wait until I had them in my possession to check for preexisting damage. To my face, she replied, "Whatever, I don't know WHAT your problem is." My problem is that I speak with police officers and fraud investigators on a weekly basis regarding identity theft and fraudulent credit card charges. Sue me, I'm paranoid. Anyway, I opened my mouth to let her have it, but shut it again after half a second and (as calmly as I could) say, "All right, fine. I will take my business elsewhere" and walked out. The moral of this story is: U-Hell really isn't worth the frustration.

Frustration aside though, I'm really pleased with my purchase. It's not new and has a little wear and tear, but it's been extremely well-kept and should last for a bit. Best of all, I was right, and the frame will upgrade to a queen mattress set.