Craigslist: RTFA

I can sympathize with this guy.

Three times I have given stuff away on Craigslist, with tiny list of basic requirements designed to make the giving process simpler. For me. That’s the exchange here: you get something for free, I get to not worry about it anymore. It’s a trade. Three times I have been astounded that people cannot read, or just don’t care. Tonight is the latest episode.

3 years ago: I gave away four older computers and monitors, only requirement was you had to take all of them and I don’t provide any support for them at all. A guy came to pick them up. Two days later my cellphone rings and he wants to know how to boot “Micro-WIndows” on the machine that has Solaris 10 installed. Which part of “No support” was confusing to you? I don’t have an hour to explain UNIX vs Windows to you.

1 year ago: I gave away an older BBQ grill. Two conditions were: bring a big enough truck or van to transport the thing, and bring someone to help you carry it. A guy arrives at 11pm on a Sunday night, in the world’s smallest car, without anyone to help him carry it. I spent an hour helping him disassemble the thing in my driveway and stash the various pieces all over his toy car.

Tonight: I gave away a broken TV to someone who knows how to fix these things. Two conditions: Bring a big enough truck or van and someone to help you carry it. My hands are now aching and bleeding from helping the guy, who arrived alone of course, jam this beast into the front seat of his tiny sedan.

0 for 3. Not good going, Craigslist readers.