Spent the morning at the camera swap meet at Kiwi Camera in Orlando. Busy place.
Saw a strap that would be perfect for one of my cameras–but it was attached to a camera.
“Let me know if I can help,” the seller bellowed from behind his table.
“I don’t really need another camera,” I said, “but I love this strap. Do you know where it’s from?”
“Make me an offer.”
The price for the camera–an old Fuji rangefinder–and the strap: Like $130.
“How about 20?” I sheepishly asked.
“That’s too much. Make it 15.”
“Okay,” I said, opening my wallet.
Fifteen years ago I put a set of newer Z car aftermarket fenders on Craigslist to sell with a note that all money was going to an overseas missionary. $175.
Guy shows up and was impressed with the fenders and hands me $200 - send extra to the missionary he says.
Now I need those fenders.......
I bought a 1990 miata like 7 years ago. Had hit a guard rail and needed a fender and door, also had blinking airbag light so failed VA inspection. Guy listed at like 9 or 10 pm for $800. I messaged within single minutes and agree to grab the next evening. He deleted the add like 10 AM saying he was getting too many messages, if I could get him $500 by noon it was mine.
I did the opposite about a month ago. Had an e30 sport seat taking up space in the garage with a broken weld. Was listed for $50 for weeks with no bites. Guy messaged he was getting out of airforce in Alaska and would be in VA in a couple of weeks. I said I'd hold it but never expected him to show. Sure enough I get a message on a Thursday night if I'm in town he'd grab over the weekend. Drove up from Norfolk, checks it out and mentioned he'll make it a driving sim chair. I just said give me $20 and get it gone.
I was on the opposite end of this type of thing a few years ago.
I was looking for a way to move a long kayak in the bed of a short pickup. I did some research and found a trailer hitch mounted bed extender. I searched on FM and found exactly what I was looking for $80.
When I got there, the guy said that he had just lowered the price to $40 as I had texted him. I said that I would give him $80, because that's what I was expecting to pay and it was already way below market value. He was in disbelief, but reluctantly took the cash.
I still feel that it was a fair deal.
wae
UltimaDork
4/6/25 9:57 p.m.
About a year ago, I witnessed two people in an automobile transaction... The seller was trying to charge the buyer less and the buyer was trying to pay the seller more. I couldn't stop laughing.
You know who you are ;)
Now I’m wondering if there’s a sniglet for this situation.
wae
UltimaDork
4/7/25 9:34 a.m.
David S. Wallens said:
Now I’m wondering if there’s a sniglet for this situation.
You taught me a new word today!
In reply to wae :
Huh. Me too. Adding that to my personal vocabulary.
See also: Lavenous
Somewhere I have a book of sniglets.
Oh yeah, a pic of the new camera strap:
In reply to Datsun240ZGuy :
Selling or throwing out something that you end up needing is the WORST! Especially when you kept it for so long and then one day go, "Ugh, that's it. I'm never going to use this, it just taking up space." Makes you kick yourself a little.
