For three weeks, Elias had been locked in a silent standoff over a mid-century modern credenza. The seller, a woman named Barb from Marion, knew what she had. Elias, a man with a tiny apartment and an even tinier budget, knew what he wanted.
The drive from downtown Cedar Rapids toward the suburbs was a race against the "Other Interested Parties." On the Buy Sell Trade boards, "Interested" was a threat. It meant there were ghosts in the comments section waiting to snatch your prize.
But today, the notification was a price drop. The "firm" $400 had withered to $150. In the world of local Facebook groups, this was the dinner bell for sharks. cedar rapids buy sell trade 2
He opened the app one last time, not to buy, but to fulfill the sacred ritual. He found his original comment on Barb’s post and typed the two most satisfying words in the English language:
“Is this still available?” he had messaged fourteen days ago. “Yes. Price is firm,” Barb had replied, her profile picture a stern-looking Tabby cat. For three weeks, Elias had been locked in
Elias typed with the speed of a caffeinated squirrel. “I can be there in twenty minutes with a truck and cash.”
Five minutes later, the credenza was strapped into the truck bed. As Elias pulled away, he saw the SUV driver staring at him with pure, unadulterated Marketplace envy. The drive from downtown Cedar Rapids toward the
"I'm Elias," he panted, glancing at the SUV, which was now idling suspiciously at the curb. "I've got the cash. And a very empty living room."