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Years ago, some old woman called in response to one of my "free pick-up of non-working TV's" ad and said she had a 13" Zenith she wanted out of her way. So, I went to pick up the set and it still had the repair estimate taped to the screen from where she took it to the shop and it was determined that the set was either not worth fixing or was going to cost more than she wanted to spend. So, I picked up the set, thanked her, and started walking towards the door with it. She started making funny hand motions and mumbling. I asked her if I could help her with anything and she wanted to know what I was planning on giving her for the TV. I reminded her that my ad said "free pick-up of non working TV's" and that she said nothing about money over the phone. "Well, it should be worth something". I offered $5 because I knew it would piss her off. She declined the offer and I left the TV on the floor. What I should have said was: "Pay you for this piece of junk? I should be charging you to haul it off!"
When I was a teenager, we were coming home and I saw a tube type Magnavox color console on the curb. My Mother wouldn't let me take the TV without asking permission. So, I knocked on the door and this crabby old woman answered. I asked if I could have the TV and she told me that it was no good. I made the mistake of telling her that I could use it for parts and that's when she wanted money. I told her that it was out on the street for the garbage man and I was only trying to be nice by asking her if I could take it. Her reply was, "If you can use it; then, it should be worth something to you". Me: "OK; I'll give you $5 for it". Her: "It's worth more than that, I'll guess I'll just give it to my Son". Had I gone back after dark, the TV would have probably still been there. From that point on, I never asked if I could have anything out of someone's trash again. If it's on the street, it's fair game.
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