Menage Trois Trader Joe's: The Deal Messiah Gets A Two For One

It has to happen at least once in every man's lifetime, and today it happened to the Deal Messiah. The mythical Menage A Trois. However, this wasn't of the sexual nature, although the Deal Messiah certainly felt gratified afterward.

I've had an old office chair up for sale on Craigslist now for at least two weeks with absolutely no interest.  Finally, out of the blue, I get a call from a German lady who just moved to the area.  However, she lives about 45 minutes away, and was really weird about coming to pick up the chair.  We decided that I would meet her friend, who happened to work at our local Trader Joe's, and I would do the deal with him there.

We're moving out of this god forsaken place at the end of the month, and it occurred to me that we probably have a bunch of food in the pantry that we're not going to use.  I did a quick sweep and pulled 3 cans of light coconut milk, a box of pumpkin pancake mix, and a bottle of maple syrup (all trader joe's brand).  What the hell, let's try to return this stuff, I seem to be able to return everything else known to man...including dog food.

Dude met me as promised outside of Trader Joe's, and I collected my $ for the used chair.  Sold sight unseen, only via photos.  I also mentioned to dude that I had a few returns to make, and asked if he could help me.  He said sure, no problem, and we went inside.

He turned out to be the assistant manager, and processed my returns in no time flat.  I got an exchange coupon worth enough to buy a sixer of their Fat Weasel Ale (7.1%) and a bottle of their Prosecco, which Mrs. Messiah can't seem to get enough of.

Excellent.  I love getting it a two-fer.

Craigslist: How To Wheel And Deal Office Chairs

The Deal Messiah is always on the lookout for a deal. Let's face it, it's second nature to him. So when he saw a Herman Miller Aeron chair selling for $275 on Craigslist, he "snuck it" immediately. These bad boys retail for around $850.



I was already heading that way for another errand, so I did a quick scan of Craigslist, and there she was. In this type of deal situation, you literally have to send an email or call the seller (if there is a phone number listed). If it's really a bargain, I normally send an email to this effect:

Hi, I will buy your chair. I am a cash buyer and come and pick it up today, if that works for you.

I was "first to the scene" and knocked the chair price down to $262, after pointing out a few blemishes. I knew that even if I didn't like it, I could turn around and sell it for a profit, which I ultimately did.

The chair turned out to be a little too small, so I turned around and sold it on Craigslist for $375, cash. I had a few cocky "lowball" buyers on craigslist, but ignored them until the right buyer came along. And by right I mean a guy who called me, and said I will buy your chair, come pick it up today, and pay you full asking price. Shazam.

I rolled the $375 into two chairs that I found at a wholesale office chair place a few towns over (on craigslist), and negotiated down to $400 cash, out the door, from a starting price of $475.

End result, two awesome office chairs that retail for over $1,000 for Mrs. Messiah and I, for $285.