SAFE SHOPPING.....CRAIGSLIST SCARE!

Okay this is my public safety announcement.....


Im a HUGE Craigslist fan and shopper and have never had any issues or problems............UNTIL NOW!

The other night my junking buddy Liza and I traveled about 30 minutes south so that I could pick up another antique sofa (yes another one....and this one was free)

Upon arriving at the home....the man came to the door and we stepped through the doorway and were taken back.   The room was practically empty except for the antique sofa, a recliner, a box with a laptop on it and a beautiful secretary that was filled with junk.   I almost passed out from the smell and immediately made eye contact with my friend.  It was a horrific combination of urine, stench, old stale and whatever nasty smell you can think imagine.

The man is standing there in shorts and a t shirt but is looking at us kind of weird.  It was like a Jack Nicholson  in The Shining....you know "HERE'S JOHNNY".  

My first words were "oh I dont know if it's going to fit" and I looked at my friend.   So my friend asks the man if he has a tape measure....thinking we can run out.  (We were right in front of the door and didnt enter into the room any further).  He says oh maybe in the car and was going to go behind us to his door....NO WAY WERE WE LETTING HIM BY THE DOOR AND BEHIND US.     

So my friend then says...."dont you have one in your car?  I say "I think I do, lets check and we can measure the back to for the length".   He says okay.... and we walk out go to the back of my minivan.

"So are you ready to run.....she says.   I say OMG...is he watching us.  We jump in the van, start it up and I back out of the parking lot as my hatch is still closing. lol

IT'S REALLY NOT A FUNNY SITUATION...WE LAUGHED AND MADE FUN THE WHOLE 30 MINUTE RIDE HOME AND WHEN WE TOLD HER HUSBAND AS I DROPPED HER OFF AND MINE THE NEXT DAY.  BUT IT'S NOT FUNNY!!!!

Nobody knew the address where we were going and this guy could've really been dangerous.

I have a houseful of things from Craigslist but realizing now that most of them have been picked up by my husband.   The ones that I have picked up have never been indoors....either from a porch or a garage or driveway.

The antique sofa I got last week was picked up inside but it was from a young wife and mother who was holding her 1 1/2 yr old daughter.  I was actually surprised that she let me in the house and left me in her living room as she went up and changed her daughter's diaper.   I guess she like me....thought I was a trusting person.    Thankfully for her that I am..because it's very dangerous to let a stranger in your home.

I wanted to share this story with you because I know a lot of you shop Craigslist and also sometimes junk.   Just be aware of your surroundings and never go alone if at all possible.

I definitely will be more cautious next time, it only took one incident to make me realize the danger I put myself and my friend in as well.   We are both mother's and furniture is great but not worth getting hurt of losing your life over.  And besides we have her living room makeover to complete on Thursday night. lol

Had to make a little haha in this serious post people.....but do know that Im serious and this is a true story!

BE VERY CAREFUL AND SHOP CRAIGSLIST SAFELY!