Thrift Store Connection

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.

Congrats man...that is what it is all about!

A school I do some work for is always cooking bread in one of those things and it doesn't matter how full you are that smell will make you hungry again.

What an awesome story! Not only for you but for the residents too! You sound like an awesome guy parrot, you made some new connections while taking some friends along for the ride!