checking CL ads the other day when I came across a badly worded/spelled ad with 3 nearly indistinguishable pictures. The ad was for a “massive tool sale” and said something along the lines of send a list of what you want...we probably have it. No phone...no address.
I had had a feeling there was more to the story and sent an email asking for info. The person responded and updated the listing to include an address and said come on by next day to view the tools. I got up early the next morning and arrived at 8. I was the first one on scene to a tiny house with a leaky cat and a tobacco stench. Coming behind me was a man I had bought tools from in the past.
The (recent) widow explained the situation and took me to a 1 car garage buried in sawdust and a basement space adjoining. The garage workspace was full of Triton, Rockler, Dewalt, woodpecker, bessey and other nice tools that had been used heavily but not abused to badly. The house and workspace was a different story. Massive amounts of sawdust surrounded leaking pipes and kerosene heaters in the basement. This was where he had finishes and paints stored in mass.
The other buyer was close behind and another was coming up the driveway. Upon entering the garage the 2 other individuals immediately offered her Criminally low amounts for a dewalt planer, 12” Bosch compound miter with articulating arm and a nice floor drill press. This got me stinking mad as the men were taking advantage of her at a low point in her life.
I asked her to step back inside the house with me and enquired as to who was helping her, how was she pricing, did she know anything about what she had, Needless to say she had no good answers. She then told me it all had to go THAT day as she was getting booted out by the landlord. I asked her if she would accept my help. I had her borrow a leaf blower from the neighbor as I told the other buyers to get out of the garage so I could take a better look and get some pricing together. Opening the garage door I let loose a cloud that could be seen all up an down the street.
For or the next 6 hours or so I negotiated pricing with these pirates and tried too stop her from giving away her materials. I asked that she allow me to make a fair price for the materials I wanted in return. Upon arriving at a price I simply sent the buyer to her for approval and payment. In the end she ended up giving me a few things but I paid fair prices for a few gems and helped her clear the basement and garage as well as keeping the sharks from eating her alive.
The main piece I purchased from her was a craftsman table saw with a granite top. Just about killed me to get it home. I spent this weekend stripping it down and removing glue, paint, varnish from the various surfaces and about 16 inches of sawdust from inside the cabinet. I had to sand, steel wool, scrape, brush and steam clean many of the parts to remove the built up funk. Even the motor was caked in dust. It is a wonder the house never caught fire.
Tomorrow is reassembly and I will have to get a snapshot of the new 400 pound (+)bruiser after I find some matching paint for touch up. Anyone know the magic paint formula for a 2009 or so craftsman professional series made by Steel city?
I had had a feeling there was more to the story and sent an email asking for info. The person responded and updated the listing to include an address and said come on by next day to view the tools. I got up early the next morning and arrived at 8. I was the first one on scene to a tiny house with a leaky cat and a tobacco stench. Coming behind me was a man I had bought tools from in the past.
The (recent) widow explained the situation and took me to a 1 car garage buried in sawdust and a basement space adjoining. The garage workspace was full of Triton, Rockler, Dewalt, woodpecker, bessey and other nice tools that had been used heavily but not abused to badly. The house and workspace was a different story. Massive amounts of sawdust surrounded leaking pipes and kerosene heaters in the basement. This was where he had finishes and paints stored in mass.
The other buyer was close behind and another was coming up the driveway. Upon entering the garage the 2 other individuals immediately offered her Criminally low amounts for a dewalt planer, 12” Bosch compound miter with articulating arm and a nice floor drill press. This got me stinking mad as the men were taking advantage of her at a low point in her life.
I asked her to step back inside the house with me and enquired as to who was helping her, how was she pricing, did she know anything about what she had, Needless to say she had no good answers. She then told me it all had to go THAT day as she was getting booted out by the landlord. I asked her if she would accept my help. I had her borrow a leaf blower from the neighbor as I told the other buyers to get out of the garage so I could take a better look and get some pricing together. Opening the garage door I let loose a cloud that could be seen all up an down the street.
For or the next 6 hours or so I negotiated pricing with these pirates and tried too stop her from giving away her materials. I asked that she allow me to make a fair price for the materials I wanted in return. Upon arriving at a price I simply sent the buyer to her for approval and payment. In the end she ended up giving me a few things but I paid fair prices for a few gems and helped her clear the basement and garage as well as keeping the sharks from eating her alive.
The main piece I purchased from her was a craftsman table saw with a granite top. Just about killed me to get it home. I spent this weekend stripping it down and removing glue, paint, varnish from the various surfaces and about 16 inches of sawdust from inside the cabinet. I had to sand, steel wool, scrape, brush and steam clean many of the parts to remove the built up funk. Even the motor was caked in dust. It is a wonder the house never caught fire.
Tomorrow is reassembly and I will have to get a snapshot of the new 400 pound (+)bruiser after I find some matching paint for touch up. Anyone know the magic paint formula for a 2009 or so craftsman professional series made by Steel city?
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