SOLD!

Yep, they people paid for the Mazda and drove it away. It was a young married couple. Her mother had sent her the lion's share of the money for the purchase. Apparently she was of the opinion that a "safer" vehicle was required to transport her two grandchildren.

Unfortunately, that wasn't the full extent of family involvement in this transaction. Saturday, the purchaser's father called and left me a message. He called again Sunday morning around 9:30. I didn't pick up the phone for a variety of reasons, including the fact that my head hurt very badly from the previous evening's activities.

When I finally reached him, he explained that his daughter only had $2,400 to spend. Huh. I suppose that was an attempt at negotiation. I pretended not to notice though. And instead of making a counter offer, I thanked him for letting me know that they weren't interested.

Hah! The daughter called back within the hour saying that she was trying to come up with the extra $400. Which eventually she did.

Of course, $2,400 plus $400 equals $2,800, which would have been $100 less than the price I was asking. At that point, I was sick of the whole thing, and if they had showed up last night with $2,800, I wouldn't have complained a bit.

Again I say Hah! When they showed up, they had $400 in cash, and a cashier's check for $2,500! So I got my asking price free and clear!

Of course they also had a sick baby with them. Their seven month old son had a double ear infection. His first ride in the "new" car was going to be a trip to the hospital.

So do I feel guilty for squeezing the last bit of money from them? A young couple struggling to make ends meet, with a baby in tow requiring a doctor's care and potentially expensive prescription medication.

Well yeah, a little bit. However I can console myself with the belief that I sold them a safe, reliable vehicle that will undoubtedly give them years of trouble-free service. Much like it did for me.

I'm so going to hell . . .