I got to work this morning and one of the bread machines had broke yesterday. ( I work at a nursing home and they bake bread in the hallway every day for the aroma and to snack on. I also have about the best company credit card that can be used anywhere for anything because I am always out and about with the bus and can stop and shop saving management time and their own gas. ) So I am tasked with procurring a new bread machine during the day today.
Since I always have little pockets of time between appointments, I decide to use those little 15 minute gaps to search the thrift stores today. I do that on occassion anyway, but today I have a purpose.
The first few I strike out at, but there is one near my house called "Dogs and Cats Forever Thrift Store". It is used to fund an animal shelter. No bread machines, so I strike up a conversation with one of the ladies that seemed to be in charge. I asked about bread machines, and she said they come in, but go out pretty fast.
I then asked about computers. She said they come in, but they have a guy that picks them up. Oh, I said. Mind my asking what he pays you for them? She says, nothing, he just takes them and scraps them. I told her that I would pay for them and she wanted my number. She breaks out a note pad that is just full of people and their phone numbers. I figure I am going to get lost in this notebook in about 2 days, but she searches for a sharpie and makes a big black star that is easily visible next to my name and number and a brief description that I will buy computers when they come in.
It is just 2 blocks away and I told her that I would pay 4.50 per tower and $1 per laptop. I said $4.50 because they will ring it up and the sales tax will come close to $5 each. Pretty nice for me. Now to hit all of the rest of the thrift stores and find the people in charge.
Oh, after my appointments I was going to make one more stop at goodwill and then off to wal-mart for a bread machine if I struck out at goodwill. On my way to the bus, I passed John (a resident) setting on the bench outside. I asked if he wanted to help me track down a new bread machine and he jumped a the chance to get out. we went to goodwill and there were 2 setting on a shelf. One was brand new and never used for 9.99. Score!
So I saved the company some money, made a residents day with a shopping excursion and wound up with what should be a good computer connection. A good day in the life of this scrapper.
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