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| ME! |
Quick back story, four kids, lost good job, working for 1/4 of what I used to make, broke as hell. Ok, no that that's out the way.
My kids like any other red-blooded teenage boys are all about some video games and electronics. Since my paycheck barely covers food and shelter I do not partake in the purchases of said items, I find them ridiculously overpriced and a huge waste of time. So in having said that my boys know of they want XBOX stuff or what have you, they must find a way to pay for it. I will put a $20 or a bit more towards the price but unless its your bday (and even then you gotta have 2/3 of the costs covered) you are on your own.
No problem because I have lil worker-bee-boys and they will work for what they want. So In the past four months we have had 2 PlayStation3's go out on us and an X Box. My kids are gameless and miserable. In particular Michael whose birthday just passed. He has been working his booty off to raise the money for a new game system since his died on him four months ago. Since the rate of pay in my home is slave-like-rates, it takes awhile to gather the funds for things they want. My son had been laying tile in our hallway, washed my van, cleaned my house, cut the lawn etc to earn enough to but an XBOX360. All the while he has been browsing craigslist for a deal to get one. Earlier this week he was stunned to see one being sold for $80. He was super excited and approached me about it. I read the ad, called the dude up myself and asked all the questions any concerned mom would. Like why are you selling it? Does it work? If so how come you don't want it? Are you an adult? etc.
He passed the initial interrogation and we planned to meet at a mutual spot at 445p the next day. This spot was 45 minutes from my home but hey my kid deserved this.
So we arrive 15 minutes early, called the dude to ensure he was coming and waited and waited and waited. Gas is $3.60a gallon here so we killed the engine while we were waiting to conserve gas.
Picture this: me, four kids all sitting in a parking lot, quite chilly since we were trying not to turn the car on. The kids were whining "how much longer?" 'I gotta pee" "I'm hungry" etc. But we waited. It all felt illegal and scary. But since the whole craigslist killer thing I am not going into anyones home to buy anything and sure as hell not inviting a stranger into my home. So a public parking lot was the only solution. Problem is there is no power source in a parking lot so we would have to take his word that the game system worked. A few calls exchanged between us and the dude. He was delayed at work and then traffic. After an hour and 15 minutes I was annoyed and started to pull off.
A glimpse in my rearview mirror showed me that my son had tears in his eyes. He begged me "come on mom, 10 more minutes, he's coming I know he is."
I relented and we stayed put. Finally the dude shows up. I get out and approach him. I bring Michael with me leaving the other kids in the van. I had a blade in my pocket just in case. Okay, I know that sounds bad but seriously I wanted to be able to fight if need be. This could have been someone tryna rob me. Anything. And I had my kids with me. I introduce the dude to my son and explain to him that he was a really good kid that had worked his butt off to earn the money. I also pointed out my other children and explained that we were good people struggling so if he had any doubt that the game system was flawed please do not sell it to my son. He assured me he would never do something like that and handed over the game. I handed over the $80. When I did the dude gave me a weird smile and said "Enjoy" Something in that "enjoy" mad me feel like we had just been had. Got home plugged up the game and guess what? We had been had! Our money was long gone and the dude sold us a game with the red ring of death. Gamers will know this means the game will never work again.
My son who is generally a tough guy begged me to call the dude all the while fighting back tears. My son thought there was a mistake. I told him no mistake, we had been had. I called for his sake but of course we were blocked. I tried a different phone and he did not answer. My son was completely heart broken. Not only did he not have a game but he worked for months to save up for it and now he had no money either. As I watched my child fight back tears and I saw the look of hurt in his eyes I tried to comfort him. I had no words that would help. So I hugged him and he broke down and cried like a baby. My heart was destroyed. How could that bastard do that to us/! I felt so violated, like we had been robbed. The worst part is other than the usual "some people are just bad" and "I'm sorry" there was not much I could say to comfort him. But I'll tell you this... if I ever see that guy I will whop his ass some kinda good. I am now obsessed with finding him. I want him to pay. I want my son's money returned! I am so angry. I think I could be the next craigslist killer.
