So I had an upgrade on my plan and opted to get an iPhone 4 and sell the two old iPhone 3GS’s we had laying around to pay for it. We listed both on Craig’s List and immediately got several responses. We also mentioned to friends we were getting rid of them. One we sold to a friend’s brother and the other comes with a fantastic encounter that just begs description…this is that tale. Probably not one mothers would ask to know about, so take caution. But it’s pretty noteworthy for sure.
So we had this great encounter with a man from Craig’s List. Originally we said to meet at Chick-Fil-A because, lets be honest, who doesn’t love that place? And it’s super safe and friendly & ALWAYS packed. Quite the key when meeting strangers in hopes of exchanging goods for money. Well when we called to find him upon arriving to this lovely little spot (which I must add I was promised dinner at if I came along for the deal), the man said he had left already because he thought we weren’t coming (we were 5 mins early mind you) and asked to meet down the street at the gas station. Sketchy. And especially this location. Extra sketchy. I have some pretty strong opinions on this station if you can’t tell.
Let’s just take a step back in time for a moment, shall we. You see, this particular gas station has recently become the memorial site for a death that occurred there. Some attribute it to a car wreck, but I know better. Now I was on the road turning at this intersection one afternoon when I head what sounded much like a gun shot coming from the gas station. With it being broad daylight however, I calmed my generally over-paranoid nerves and feebly convinced myself it was merely a backfire from a car passing by. After arriving at home and sharing my story, there were attempts to reassure me that nothing had happened like that and I was just getting worked up because of all those shows on TV that revolved around crime and was advised not to worry. But I knew. When I ventured back to the intersection later in the day, the station was crowed with flashing lights and decorated with officers of every kind. The store was closed and sirens competed with the eery silence on the corner. The next day a cross with flowers was erected under the light post that dawned the corner of this station. And it was all confirmed. Nothing was ever released in the media, but I knew…
So needless to say I was less than thrilled to meet some middle aged creepster in this parking lot just to sell him a phone. But alas, the husband convinced me all was ok and we went. We pulled up and the man got out of his once pricey beamer that now matched his hair and dress; all of which seemed to be longing to prove monetary worth that previously existed but currently was lacking. He was friendly enough however, and started to examine the phone. Eager to make a quick exchange, we boasted of great technology and attempted to seal the deal. Our buyer had other plans however, and that’s when the ridiculousness began. He started to tell of his experience on the road we had just ventured down to meet him. How this guy was tailing him and following quite close yelling obscenities through the windows and eventually pulling along side of him as they stopped at a light. As he turned to the side to acknowledge this crazed driver, the man opposite him pulled out a gun and pointed it towards his head. And what was our buyer’s response? Laughter. And this is the moment I was terrified. I was sure his next words were going to be “And now i am going to do the same to you. Give me the phone and everything else you have and i’ll walk away. Nobody gets hurt.” Fortunately, my mind is simply filled with too much NCIS and thankfully reality played out a little differently. After the pause of eternity, he proceed to tell us how he called the cops and gave them all this man’s information he could and shook his head wondering what kind of people do that to fellow drivers on the street. Heart still racing, but quite relieved, my mind questioned what kind of people tell that story to a complete stranger they are attempting to do business with in the parking lot of a sketchy gas station? But hey, who am I to judge? Nevertheless, he turned out to be a decent enough guy and bought the phone for his brother in law for a little more than we would have been satisfied with. Transaction complete and feeling a little on edge and slightly like we were gangsters in a drug run, we looked over our shoulders as we nodded heads towards one another and parted ways. Bak in the security of the car we were speechless for a moment as we drove back to enjoy the delicious golden nuggets that brought me on this journey to begin with.
