Craigslist Conversation Via Text Message

December 20th, 2007

[9:47AM]

Guy: R u sellin a tv
Me: Yes
Guy: How much??
Me: $50? You want it?
Guy: Yea
Me: Ok, hang on a sec
Guy: Aite
Me: When can you pick it up? I’m at 109 and Broadway
Guy: What size is the TV
Me: Didn’t you see the craigslist ad? Do I know you? 27 inches[10:01 AM]

Guy: No somebody told me about it and gave me your num cuz I needed a tv. I’m gonna buy it but I need a pic or something
Me: Don’t have a pic right now. Could get one later, but it’s a smart series 27 inch phillips magnavox. Charcoal in color. Great condition. 2 inputs, 1 output, remote.

Guy: OK and how do I know it workz. I don’t wanna buy something that doesn’t work??
Guy: U still sellin it?

Me: Come see it. It works.
Guy: I’m on 125th and 8th Ave.

[10:17AM]

Me: Cool. I’ll be home in 15 minutes. You can come over.
Guy: Aite. So how imma get it bac 2 my house.
Me: Cab?
Guy: Aite
Guy: Y u can’t meet me somewhere
Me: If you want this thing, you’re gonna have to carry it
Guy: Imma get in a cab from where I meet you at
Me: Then meet me at my apartment.
Guy: On 109
Me: Yes. 109 between broadway and amsterdam
Me: This isn’t a flat panel LCD you know. This is a tube TV.
Guy: I know.
Guy: Y can’t u put the tv in a cab and meet me on 116th and imma take dat same cab 2 my house on 125th
Me: Dude, $50 is cheap. That does not include delivery.
Guy: Lol aite hold on

[10:33 AM]

Guy: 12 30 I will be there ok
Me: Cool

[10:59 AM]

Guy: Nevermind I really don’t feel like comin all the way 2 109 and b way
Me: Seriously? What’s the diff if you’re in a cab? 50 dollar tv, man
Guy: Yea but I still have 2 carry it down your stairs and into the cab
Me: I will take it to the street for you. You take it from there.
Guy: Na I’m gd

[12:09 PM]

Guy: Yo
Me: yes?
Guy: If u still have the tv fri at about 5 30 6 I will pick it up from your house cuz I have 2 come that way anyway okay
Me: Now or never. Moving tomorrow.
Guy: Aite I’m not goin 2 work 2 day so I’m on my way

[12:50 PM]

Guy: Yo I’m still comin I’m waitin 4 my uncle 2 get his car out of the garage
Me: Ok. How long will you be?
Guy: Idk how long he gonna take 2 call me back

[1:37 PM]

Me: Any idea? Other people want this thing.
Guy: Na he still ain’t call me I want dat tv
Guy: Imma pick it up 2day I jus hope u don’t sell it by then

[4:00 PM]

[The guy shows up. 19 year old black kid. Nice, and pretty funny -- he knocked on the wrong apartment door, and told us the hispanic lady didn't know what the hell he was talking about when he said "I'm here for the TV".

At the time, there was an older black guy in our apartment looking at some stuff, and this kid was definitely confused. He finally asked the guy, "so... are you guys friends?"

I demoed the TV's multitude of features, and after he was satisfied, he paid the $50 and lugged it down the stairs. Apparently he lives on a 5th floor walkup, so the three flights of stairs he had to maneuver at our place was just a warm-up for the hell that was awaiting at home.]

[4:50 PM]

Guy: The TV workz fine
Me: Did you break your back carrying it?
Guy: lol na I was alrite
Me: Cool. Take it easy.
Guy: U 2 thankz.