A friend of mine was telling me that she was trying to buy some used soccer goals for her children from a local on-line classified add. These classifieds are convenient because you can contact the seller and pick up the item somewhere in your area.
The seller wanted $30 for the soccer goals which was a great deal because they are usually at least $50 used. My friend was so excited and tried to set up an appointment to pick them up yesterday afternoon. That ended up having to be changed to today.
When my friend checked her email the seller reneged on the offer saying that she had discovered the goals sell for $300 new, so she was going to advertise them for $300.
Unfortunately my friend was very “irritated” by this and was trying to figure out what action to take, and asked for my advice.
I told her that she has a guardian angel watching out for her because her kids could have been injured on those soccer goals yesterday or she might have been in an accident going to pick them up.
She said that was true, but she just didn’t think the seller sounded like the type of person to do something so rude. I told her that you just never know about people, just when you think you have someone pegged, they go and do something completely unexpected.
She asked what she should say (if anything) to the seller. I told her to send an email telling her that if she doesn’t sell the goals for $300, you would still be happy to give her $30.
My friend liked my ideas and had a good laugh and felt much better when we ended our conversation.
If any of you need advice for similar situations, don’t hesitate to contact me!
Or she could have said: “If you can’t sell them for $300, I’ll be glad to give you $25.”
I should have thought of that.
P.S. You know this friend.