My eBay

Ah, why not, here's the link to my eBay page:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/passroom/m.html

The Day it Started

As is the usual, I was out thrifting Salvation Army down the hill from my home, and I found some throw pillows to match the leather sofa and loveseat I'd recently purchased on the cheap from a friend; I also bought a sewing table, a set a daiquiri glasses, a lambswool sweater, a snappy cowboy shirt, a French cuff dress shirt, a set of silver cuff links, a thermos, a rug, and eight cotton napkins. (The whole purchase was about $35.)  As I was checking out, I noticed a snowboard leaning against a post.  I knew what the board was as I'd worked in a board shop during my undergrad years.  I wasn't looking to buy a snowboard, so I let it be.

That night while contemplating sleep over a whiskey, the board was on my mind.  It was $125, and easily the most expensive item in the store that day.  But, this wasn't just a snowboard; it was an unridden, 2002 Lib Tech Doughboy Shredder 193, and mounted on it similarly were unridden Burton Custom Freestyle bindings.


This setup in 2002 was one of the most costly in the business (well into the $800-$1000+ range).  The reason: this board is huge; I'm 6'3", and I'd have a hard time turning it in powder.  The more specialized the board, the more they charge for it.  It was absolutely beautiful and in pristine condition.  I decided then, I would be Salvation Army's first customer the next morning and committed myself to a new career.


I arrived early as I'd promised myself, and I beelined to the board.  I proudly carried it to the checkout and bartered.  The cashier actually let me have it for $80.  I was the happy owner of one of the greatest snowboards in the history of the sport.  And, I had no idea what to do with it.


I spent the next couple weeks researching and making phone calls to the local board shops trying to figure out the best way to sell it.  Consignment was a consideration, but I didn't want to pay a percentage.  I figured my best bet would be Craigslist.  Craigslist was not new to me, but it'd been awhile.  Also, I didn't really know at what point to price it.  I was nervous because I'd spent $80 I didn't really have to available, and I didn't want to sit on the board for too long.  Making my move, I took some photos and wrote a great post, and then I listed it for $500 with high hopes.  Nothing happened.  Then, nothing happened.  Then, still, nothing happened.  Then, the listing ran out.


I relisted the board for another week's time and waited.  During that time the train lights were found and purchased, and so was the Keurig.  (Those are upcoming posts.)  I had spent way more money on things I wasn't keeping than I could afford, and bills were due.  I was desperate for money.  Then, Kevin emailed.


Based on the post I'd written, Kevin had very hesitantly asked if he could purchase my board.  He told me he thought he was tall enough to ride it, and that I should really give him a chance to at least see the board.  I replied with my phone number, and then he called.


Because I knew what this board was, I wasn't willing to sell it to someone who couldn't ride it.  Question my thinking all you want, but I won't sell people things they can't use.  Over the phone I actually talked Kevin out of buying the board.  He thanked me for my honesty, and we both hung up.


A couple days went by, and Kevin called again.  He assured me he'd be able to ride the board, and that he was certain he wanted it.  I again tried to talk him out of it, but he was persistent.  We agreed I would sell him the board for $300, and it sold.


That was my first sale, and I've sold many things since.  Some are just boring sales of boring things, but some have really great stories I think should be told.  Over the upcoming posts I will tell these stories, all while I continue to thrift and sell to make my success.


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The following is the Craigslist post:

Libtech Doughboy Shredder 193cm with Burton Customs - $500

Yeah, you're here because you know what this board is, and so do I. This IS the best big-man board ever made. C'mon, she's 193cm, she's huge, and she's beautiful. And, yes, she IS rare.

No matter how I found this beauty, I did. Now, I'd like to sell her. By my judging (I'm pretty good, as I used to sell these things.), she's never been ridden. Better still, she comes with Burton Custom bindings (also never ridden). Seriously, she still has factory wax. She is absolutely amazing!

I really want her to go to a good home, so, be careful how you approach, I don't want to just sell her to sit in your wall collection; she wants to be ridden!

Picture with me: You're a big dude, like 6' 5"+ and something pushing 250lbs, and you love Cadillacs; though, Cadillacs are rear-wheel-drive and don't do snow. Still, you get to the mountain with two feet of fresh; you want to ride, and you know she's there; you strap in left, or maybe goofy (your stance); you sit down on the lift; you feel it take off and rise, and feel her tug at your leg (She wants to go!); you get to the top and slide off, and she's there with you; you strap your back foot; you slide into the moment, and, now, nothing can stop your carves as wide as you want because she eats them like nothing else; she IS the most amazing board ever. Ride her, please!

Thanks for taking a moment to read about her. Fall in love with her and take her home. If you have the right kind of love and a beautiful story, I might accept your other offer.

Be well,
Jeff

keywords: snowboard, snowboarder, Burton, Forum, Ride, D.C., K2, Union, Gnu, Lib Tech, Lib-Tech, Custom X, non magnatraction, camber, Holden, Bonfire, Salomon, Slope Style, Fat Chicks

Tonight I Started Blogging while Watching the Ken Burns Jazz Documentary.

It's time to get this started; as in, it's time for something different.

The Jazz inspired me.  They took chances in their beliefs to change their lives.  I now commit myself to do the same.

Over the past seven months-ish, I have decided I like the house I live solo in enough to figure a way to come up with $1200 a month in simple rent.  This rent, however, does not include my $500+ per month of expenditures to keep the heat and lights on, buy my Jeep and pay its insurance, and eat some simple, homemade meals.  Add to this the fact I really like nice things, and the search wants a way to live this life on a -$41k salary.  How do I do keep up?  Keep following, and I'll tell you how I'm making it.

Jeff