Faux Bamboo Adieu: Tales of ‘The Ones’ That Got Away

9

February 15, 2013 by Decorum DIYer

Those of us that use Craigslist as our source for an inexpensive way to get the high style we crave have all been there.  You find the PERFECT item and must have it.  You call, e-mail, send a text – whatever it takes to secure your precious item(s).

And then, it happens, you are told that the items have been sold, or worse yet, that there is one person ahead of you and that the seller will contact you, should the first responder not show/not buy.  Epic. Bummer.

This has happened to me quite a lot lately.

First, I found these puppies.  Everything I love – wood, faux bamboo, and a great price of $50 for the pair.  You know my love for faux bamboo, remember this post? They would have been perfect for my one day living room.  I even included them in my moodboard.

They were perfect, as is, but I could always change out the fabric at a later date. Even my husband was on board and rooting for me.

But then it happened, I was told they were already sold within one day of being posted.  Okay, so someone else will enjoy these lovely chairs.  I can live with that.

But then, the next day, I spotted them on Craigslist, again!  Yay for me!  I was about to send the all important “I’ll pick-up today” e-mail, when I noticed the price was now $250 for both (still a discount, but more than I can allow my frugal self to justify).

Then, the kicker.  It was now for sale by the purchaser, a DEALER! Boo!  I tried my best to ask if the price was still $50, pretending I thought it was the same seller, but no dice.  😦

I was so disappointed, but mostly, I was annoyed.  This dealer would not treasure them as I would have.  This dealer was just looking to make a quick, furniture flip and profit the $200.  As is the American way.  Bravo, dealer, bravo.

I’m still sulking, can you not tell?  Oh well, it wasn’t meant to be.

Then, later in the week, I saw this ad.  I had been keeping an eye out for someone else (whom shall remain nameless and unidentified).  I did everything in my power to ‘score’ them on his, uh her, uh the genderless, nameless individual’s behalf, but it was too late. Someone had already agreed to view and possibly purchase the stools the next day.

4 Swivel Bar Stools – $50

4 swivel bar stools matching. Wooden. Awesome look. 50 bucks. Must go. O.b.o

But then, something even stranger happened.  The seller apparently caught on that the stools were pretty fashionable and worth a pretty penny, so he changed his ad and sent me an e-mail advising that the price was now $125 for all four (again, still a good deal).

After days of waiting for a response, as the seller and the first responder kept rescheduling ‘the appointment’, the ad for the stools disappeared from Craigslist, never to be seen again.

Super. Bummer.

So, the hunt continues for amazing finds at very reasonable prices.  It really is this girl’s only hope to acquire the style I like. As for ‘my friend’, I’ll continue to look for those stools, too.

Has this ever happened to you? Does anyone have a story of ‘the ones that got away’? Or better yet, a story of ‘the ones you thought got away, but the planets aligned and now they are yours’?  I’d love to hear from all of you!

My point:  Be persistent, check Craigslist often, and things will turn out for the better.  Design and decor is a process, even on a tight budget, it will happen…, one day.

Also, folks, this marks my 100th blog post!

Woo hoo for me!  Thank you to all of you that have supported me and joined me with my little journey.  I really enjoy and appreciate the relationships I have made via this blog.  Here’s to 100 more posts!

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I wish everyone a pleasant, and Craigslist/Thrift Store happy weekend!