One of those weird, karma things
Posted on April 28, 2008 - Filed Under Business |
Many moons ago, during the renovation, I was convinced to purchase porcelain tiles which looked like travertine instead of buying the actual travertine. To make a long story short: the porcelain tiles were never used. “All sales final” meant the tiles sat behind the house.
Several times, Craiglist was considered to sell these tiles off. In total, twelve boxes of 18 inch tile could cover almost any room. Maybe $100 or $150 for the lot if a sucker happened along.
But the drama of that turned it off. Getting someone who would actually show up to look at the tile would be an adventure. Then there would be some kind of price haggle, where the sucker thought $25 would be a fair price. I’d say no and leave to come back to work. Then the sucker would return and steal the tile, because it’s all behind the house.
Last week, a coworker told me she wanted to redo her tile in her kitchen. My porcelain tile was offered for free, which she gladly accepted. After six months the tile had warn out its welcome at Chez Cliff. GrassGuy was coming to clean up the yard so this would make his job a lot easier. Plus the lady wouldn’t have to spend hundreds of dollars buying tile. Everyone wins
One more item on the back house: window screens. As fate would have it, a coupon arrived from Screen Mobile, who has done wonderful work for me. They charge around $45 per window. With four windows and taxes, price tag would be around $200. They were put on my “To Do” list.
The next day the conversation went like this.
Coworker: So what do you have left to do on the houses?
Clifford: Well, I got this coupon from ScreenMobile so I’m going to get screens put on the back house.
Coworker: Don’t do that! I got all the tools and material to build screens.
Clifford: Are you serious?
Coworker: Sure! Just bring me in the dimensions and I’ll make the screens for you. It’s the least I can do for all that great tile you gave me!
Some elbow grease will have to be used on my part to hang the screens. But 15 minutes of work to save $200?
This now begs the question: on my next project, could I hire her out at 50% what Screen Mobile charges?
Such the Capitalist I am . . .
If you liked that post, then try these...
Birth of a Tool on November 20th, 2006
After the Texas property attempt, something was required to ensure that a similar mistake in the future didn't happen.
Ugh! on October 4th, 2007
.
Comments
5 Responses to “One of those weird, karma things”
Leave a Reply
Hey! You may have just broken your Karmic Imbalance!!!
Maybe this was what the God’s of Karma were pushing you towards all along. Nudging you in the direction of the economic land of “Trade of Services”…
Give away tiles you don’t need, get free screens…
The next step would be to find someone that will take your tennants dog poo and give you free landscaping. Dare to dream…
I almost forgot to mention… Our neighbor had several trees cut down the other day. They had several guys with chainsaws and a huge chipper throwing the shredded remains into the back of a truck. We noticed that the service had a sign on their truck for free woodchips. Obviously they didn’t want to take the chips back home with them, so I asked them if they wanted to leave them for us.
They were more than willing to part with them. When they finished we had about 8 yards of woodchips to use for our landscaping. Granted there were some smaller twigs and things in there and they weren’t dyed the pretty color that you get from a nursery, but they were free!
I am one to not scoff at free. I have an order in with them for another load as to do some much needed landscaping to our mud pit I like to call our back yard.
If you are in the market for them , check around your area. You could save a couple hundred and make that curb appeal get that much better…
Matts last blog post..Webcam of the day: Maui
That’s a great story, Cliff. Restores my faith in humanity…. well, kinda.
Stephs last blog post..2 Outta 3 Ain’t Bad
@Steph: Keep it at “kinda”. After this last renovation, I’m suspicious of everyone. But this lady is good people.
@Matt: I bought a 25 pound bag of woodchips for $5 at Lowes. They are used around my rose bushes, which I think are in desperate need of trimming.
By the by, that’s a great Maui Web Cam.
Maybe there’s a business for dog poop but not around here. Actually it’s been pretty clean as of late. I’m not seeing large piles of it like I did at one time.
Disgusting. Because it’s there or because I’m keeping track. Take your pick.
Woohoo! Go good karma
Alisons last blog post..Engaged!