Selling on Nextdoor
I understand perfectly well why people would rather not sell used items on Nextdoor and forgo receiving nice crisp dollar bills only to avoid dealing with other people. It starts with the requirement to sign in again to the app where there seem to be an endlessly deep pool of souls with nothing but time on their hands. If I tapped into the small hidden compassionate side of my brain I might say they are lonely and just reaching out. Like the perfectly normal-looking petite woman, who, on the first day of the "Financial Literacy" adult education class, said what brought her there was to meet people. Great, I thought, make sure not to sit next to her ever.
So, the app spews out notifications that I seem unable to filter in my fear to miss the one about the item I am selling. Someone saw a bike leaning against a lamp pole in the neighborhood, or someone (again) did not pick up their dog's poop, or did you all see the mountain lion that maybe was a coyote or maybe the German Shepeard from across the street. I hate what stupid things people do with their precious time on earth. It irks me to no end that their sense of importance seems to lack any type of perspective. Maybe they don't get out often. Maybe they don't follow the news. Maybe they need help and are just dying for another to respond and engage with them. Truth is I do not care really, I just want to sell my espresso machine and get some money back (ideally the $150 I asked for). After a week of no takers and just mostly garbage postings with the occasional beautiful sunset, rainbow, or flower close up thrown in, Nextdoor suggests I lower the price. Whatever, at this point I just want to get out of the app and move on so I make the convenient one-click decision. The new price is $105.
Within hours I get a notification that someone is interested. It feels like I was chosen and given a great gift, I am so elated. The communication is very detailed and lengthy and has a good amount of spelling mistakes. I am wondering if this is a fake response of yet another time-waster who finds it funny to string others along and get into conversation. I stay succinct and to the point. My hackles are up and I write just to be sure "cash or Venmo only" in case I finally agree to some meeting time only to be presented with a check. He/she (I cannot discern the name, another red flag) responds with a curt "OK". We agree to a time later that afternoon, I send the address, which feels like a big step in trust.
Another text, saying "I am leaving now. Would you accept $85 cash?". Whoa. The nerve! I am either being strung along here or this person is totally rude. I type "Sorry, no. $105 firm" and do not hear back immediately like before. Very likely a no-show now.
I am meanwhile outside the house, God forbid this person enters my home. The espresso machine is sittings in the open hatchback of my car like I am about to do a drug deal. Thank goodness the rain has stopped or I would be looking like a total fool. A white SUV slowly approaches my address. The driver waves, I point to where to park.
A stunningly gorgeous woman in her early 30s with long black curly hair and a broad smile gets out of the car. Perfect teeth. She has an accent, I ask from where. She says Tunesia, two years now in the US. I inquire where in Tunesia and she looks surprised and asks had I been? Oh yes, a whole month, years ago, coming in by ferry to Tunis from Palermo, Sicily, traveling all around the country. She nods and says with an open face "sorry about the $85 question. Always worth a try".
I am so relieved at this whole situation, my delightful memories of Tunesia, the realness of her, I am giddy. Bargaining as any good Tunisian would. She expertly checks the espresso machine, is clearly very familiar with all the parts and accessories, and says she is buying it for her brother as a gift. The coffee he currently makes tastes like shit. She grins. She pays me directly and within seconds with Venmo, we shake hands.
I almost hate to see her go.