Friday, August 27, 2010

Confessions of a Shopaholic

You know when you finally have some money, the first thing you have to do is: spend it!

So, we finally got a list of the equipment that we needed.  That was a bit tough at first because we weren't sure what all equipment was mandatory to past initial inspection, but were able to get a requirements manual from the local Health Department, which helped.  Once the list was in hand, we went shopping.  We checked the internet for used restaurant equipment and local auctions.  We were dead set on getting everything as cheap as possible, but still clean and reliable.

When you start surfing the web for restaurant equipment, you find out quickly that you only thought you had your complete list.  There were things that we never even thought of that we still needed to get.  We were fortunate to find a restaurant closing and were able to buy some used tables, as well as prep tables, a 3 compartment sink and many other things.  Those are the places you want to find.  Talk about some good deals!

So, we purchased most of the things we needed, and saved the biggest expense for last...the chairs.  We looked at some used furniture but with mine and Melinda's (well, we call it a slight case of OCD), but since there weren't enough chairs that matched exactly, I just couldn't bring myself to buy them, no matter how cheap they were (and they were going to be a steal).

Looking through the internet, I found some plain black metal chairs for fairly cheap, brand new.  I actually found them on two or three different websites, some at different prices.  And then I was enlightened on what my hidden talent was: haggling.  Price guarantees are awesome, by the way.  When one company will give you a better price, the other company will give you free shipping, and then the last company will give you a better price PLUS free shipping.  It was marvelous, and I think I got high on it.

Probably the funniest story (at least for Melinda) is my experience with Ebay.  I've always had a strange fear of that website.  (Something to do with buying things from people I don't know, and paying them online.  How can you be sure it's not some kind of scam?)  Anyway, one day I got tired of asking Melinda to buy everything for me, and did it myself.  I bid on a package of forks, and remained the highest bidder throughout the life of the auction.  I watched it to the last minute, and noticed some sly little foxes trying to outbid me. I had my auto-bit set up higher, so I'd refresh my screen to see if they outbid me.  30 seconds, 29, 28...  My internet connection was slow, too, taking some 15 seconds to reload.  They were still upping their bids, trying to win it, but as low as possible.  The final refresh, and the screen told me I won!  I WON!  I was elated, had to call Melinda immediately, not only to gloat, but also ask, "Now, how in the heck do I pay this guy?"

Tiff

No comments:

Post a Comment