Thursday, August 20, 2009

bicycle bicycle bicycle


photo by Eve Parry


I've been selling things on Kijiji, to supplement our income while we're looking for work. You know things are desparate out there when people try to severely bid you down! For example, I listed a $260 mountain bike for $120, hoping to get a minimum of $100.

A few minutes later, I get an email that says "Sixty bucks. Text me."

One minute after that, I get another. "Eighty dollars. I'll pick it up today."

I text the first saying, "I have another bid for $80."

They reply, "Sorry I only have $60. Can I come get it before I leave for work?"

I replied, "sorry, I'm willing to wait for more."

The good news is that our economists believe that a recession in Canada is almost over, due to deflation. Hopefully, that reaches the Oil & Gas Industry in Alberta!

14 comments:

  1. Well my husband is in the sales of equipment and it has been really busy this week, he said just like two years ago. Maybe we are picking up here in Canada again.

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  2. Same thing here. I recently put a table saw that is only a year old, and cost $350 when I bought it. I truly haven't used it that much. Maybe, 10 times...lightly. That's why I am selling it. I simply don't do much of that any longer. I asked $125 for it. So, I get an email, two hours after putting it on a local board. Will you take %50? No. OK, $60 and that's my finally offer. This is without even looking at the damned thing. It's a cherry, really, almost new. The insults got worse. I finally pulled it from the board.

    We are being told the same thing here in Nebraska...Nebraska is recovering. Recession is over. Things are looking up. If you look at these local selling boards...it's not very obvious.

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  3. Hope things get better soon for everyone. Keep our fingers crossed :)

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  4. Does Dick Cheney list on Criag's?

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  5. Tough times all right. Good luck Kate.

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  6. I hope things pick up for everyone. Good luck with the sales.
    Mervat.

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  7. Craig's List is definitely picking up with the amount of job listings. But before that the wage offerings have been much less than the going rate. And finally some people are complaining about it.

    Let's hope that your Mountain Bike is going to go for a much better price also.

    Jen

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  8. Keep holding out Kate!!!

    At work we were just discussing how vulturish we feel during the recession. Our enrolment goes up, better instructors are out there to hire and all our vendors are just about giving away equipment. On the opposite side when the economy was booming we were hurting - amazing how that works. Education thrives during the recession.

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  9. I don't have to sell my bike, but I'd keep it before taking a beating on it. Some people are vultures, really.

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  10. some of those people seemed downright rude! Next time ask more much more... start higher. Then it would be easier to negotiate. Good luck with the sales.

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  11. It's amazing what people will try and do to save a buck or two. Good Luck!!

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  12. if it's good condition, it should sell for $150. have you tried posting at ebay?

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  13. I've been doing the same thing...selling stuff. I got an offer for my english saddle of $150. It's for sale for $800 and that's already marked down. Goodness. It's hard times, girl.

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  14. Glad I'm not alone in my thoughts! We did sell the bike for $100.00, we just had to wait another few hours. Then we sold the Xbox, the Sirius radio, the ping pong table...

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