Nice People

Earlier this week I sold one of my bikes. At first I didn't want to sell it because I really liked it, but I didn't ride it as much as I used to and it took up a little too much room, so ultimately it made sense. And, as it turns out, the guy I sold it to was pretty awesome...here's his story.

So long "Little Bastard"

So, I posted an ad on Craigslist and almost immediately got responses. One of the responses was from a guy from the North Bay. Sometimes he stays in the city with his girlfriend and wanted to have a cool bike at her place so he could get around town easily. I can't say that it was easy to meet with him because it certainly wasn't, but he was patient and we finally figured out some time.

He agreed to pick me up from my office and drive me to the house and then back to the office! At first I thought this was a little weird...you know "stranger danger" and all, but I'm a tough guy and I can defend myself. Besides, I like to think that I'm a pretty good judge of character and he seemed like a nice enough guy on the phone. ...My mom never let my into chat rooms when I was younger for this reason, I'm sure.

So we drive and talk about all manner of things. Being the open and honest person that I am I give him a brief synopsis of everything that had been going on in my life and he listened. I was actually amazed that he listened to me ramble. He gave his perspective and told me the things that he had been through - it's always nice to talk.

We eventually switched to other topics, namely fraternity life. Turns out he knows the former executive director of Theta Chi and the founder of his fraternity Alpha Tau Omega, is one of my distant relatives! I'm not much into the fraternity thing anymore, but it was interesting to hear these connections regardless.

He ended up getting the bike - he didn't haggle and I didn't have to sell it to him, he just gave me the money and loaded the bike into the van. He dropped me off at my office and wished me good luck. Later that evening he emailed me to thank me for the bike and the conversation. He also said that no matter what is going on in my life, that things will work out. He said that I seemed like a good person and that good things were going to happen to me.

Now I've had some good experiences on Craigslist, but never someone who has gone out of their way to help me sell something to them, listened to me talk as though they were a friend and then after everything was done send me thank yous and well wishes! It felt really good to read that note and to know that he will truly enjoy the bike as it was meant to be enjoyed.

Just goes to show you that there are some really great people out there, even strangers from Craigslist.

Thanks, Stu.

-one bike fewer jonathon