Wednesday 13 February 2013

Garage sale..Singapore style

This is not the first time I have sold everything I own, and something tells me it will not be the last. I believe there are a few more moves waiting in the wings before we put down permanent roots somewhere in the world.

When R2 gets the moving bug, nothing is safe from an online posting site that sell the strangest items. It was when I saw him heading for my enormous shoe closet with the camera, a well-flung slipper nailed him and his red Canon, stopping him in his tracks. Some things are sacred, and to me, I have spent a large percentage of my life hunting down the perfect texture, the right heel and the correct shade of black for every outfit. Back away from the high-heels and no one gets hurt. Those 250 pairs are coming with me, even if I have to smuggle them on the plane by wearing five pairs through security.
How we love technology in Asia

Singaporeans are among the world's most voracious users of digital media so it is no surprise I am refereeing bidding wars via smart phones, tablets and computers. When I started posting my items, I had no idea my phone would be buzzing, whistling, pinging and chirping all sorts of messages. I couldn't keep up. I could write a book with all of the hilarious texts and messages I received. Keep in mind, Singapore is an English speaking country, but most of the offers are in Singlish so it often takes two or three replies to figure out what the people are asking me.

"Your blow up mattress, blow, can? If blow, want, lah. I like your photo, you pretty Mizzus." This was one of the first messages I received, and from there, it became more difficult to determine. I am translating and filling in the missing blanks once I used my special decoder ring to figure out what the locals wanted to buy from me.

"Can vacuum ride on bike with me?' One of my favorite questions and yes, he did pull up on a pizza delivery scooter and rode away hoovering as he cleaned off into the sunset.

"You make me good price, you make me good, lady." This was on a fifty cent spatula; how much better can I make the price?  I threw in some free slippers I enjoy stealing from hotels for guests to wear in the house. Hey, don't judge; wearing slippers on the house is something I learned from my Japanese friends. You never now what evil lurks on the bottom of your shoes, walking in the local Kampong.

"Hey lady, you have ten foot palm, selling, lah?" was one inquiry. "How tall?" "Is it palm?" This one had me in stitches and shaking my head. I received this message while riding and I had to stop the bike for fear I would fall from laughing so hard. I am not sure what part of "Selling Ten Foot Palm" was not evident in my ad.

I sold everything so we cook with fire now
Honestly, I can't make this stuff up. "Does your popcorn popper, make popcorn? Does your blender, blend?"  As for the rice cooker inquiry, I can't even go there. Let's just say, rice cookers make rice and you fill in the joke.

R2 hates when I sell our almost new items. If he had it his way, he would open the window and heave everything out, letting the people below think it is raining washers and dryers. I, however, am from small town Saskatchewan and making a buck is what I know. He leaves the room when the potential buyers come, he cringes when he hears me chatting them up, asking questions about their lives in Singapore. He shudders when I ask how long they have lived here, or about their children.  He just doesn't care. He is of the mindset, open the door, shove the goods in their hands, grab the cash and slam the door in the poor soul's face.

"I would like to take your almost-new, front-loading, energy-efficient washer-dryer set from Germany that you paid an arm and leg for, but I want a quick-bargain deal and if I have to go on any stairs, I am charging you," was one comment. Am I mistaken or was I the one selling the item? I am being charged for moving from a penthouse elevator, straight down the lift to the car park in the basement? What is wrong with this picture? How do I end up paying for the man's delivery when I have cut the price by thousands of dollars?

He could use my mattress
"Your King sized mattress, is that a Sing King, UK King or a Queen?  Is it latex, can it fold, can I come and sleep to test, are you single?" I am close to my boiling point by now, and googling like a maniac for Women's Shelters in need of gently used items so I don't have to put up with crazy questions anymore. Leave me in peace so I can continue my quest for the next country to move.

Through all of my electronic selling, I met some interesting people too. People that started to read my blog, people that were quite thrilled when I gave them special deals on items and threw in a few free plants and cactus and even a media mogul that allowed me to drool on his BMW convertible while he checked out my goods. I hope slobber comes out of the Nappa leather. I hope he enjoys his spatula.

Overall, it was another amusing experience to chalk up to Singapore living. Maybe R2 has the right idea, open the window and drop everything overboard and yell "Heads up" but I doubt that phrase makes sense here and with my luck, I would crush a few of the tail-less cats, on the way down.

My next flat, condo, casa, villa or casita is going to be made completely of stone and plastic with a wash basin outside and the old-fashioned sun to dry the clothes.  No irons, no skillets, no flippers and definitely no more selling. I wonder if I can get some stock options in paper plates and plastic forks because I think that is going to be my new way of life. Now where is that atlas, I need to find a country.

22 comments:

  1. i like the chair in your post, is it for sale? and if so how much?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry, that was the landlords, jaja! Maybe at my next sale.

      Delete
  2. I damn near wet my pants girl...oh my what a life you lead Layna....good thing I am one of your friends and not one of those tail less cats you took out while throwing your old belongings over the rail : ) You are quite the story teller so I expect to get all your books for free. You write book, I take for free...you know, thats sales!!!lmao Good luck with all your selling,chatting up, money making ideas, while still trying to get the hell outta that place you called home for a bit...miss yah like crazy...drinks are waiting on ice for your arrival..hehehe Cath xoxoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No pants wetting or I will have to use my proceeds to purchase Depends for you! Thanks for reading and enjoying!

      Delete
  3. Hey Layna, loved your posting - one of the best yet. I like the idea of giving away your belongings to a woman's shelter. That's what I did when I moved to the US from Canada. It was very freeing to give away my business wardrobe to a friend who was starting her first office job. Can't be bothered with garage sales and the like but I loved reading about your experiences. Hugs to you! Jacquie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oooo, that is a wardrobe I would love; if I was petite like you, darn! Lucky lady, receiving your clothes. Thanks for your comments Jacquie! Abrazos!

      Delete
  4. Layna, not sure where you are going, where you will be travelling, but we need the stories to continue. Wherever you land, whoever hires you....they are lucky sums de b**ches. You are one talented lady. Luv da writing...keep it up, pleezeeee!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Layna, I was the guy who purchased your porn collection and some of the apparatus from your dungeon. Thank you for throwing in some of the vibrators and dildos...nice touch, luv you much lah! This chair that hangs from the ceiling did not come with a bolt to hang it, can you send one ASAP pre-paid? Glad we didn't have some of the conversations like you write about, sending those pictures of you demonstrating how to use the items really made things simple to choose from. All transactions should be so easy (thanks Paypal) and your Singlish was easy to understand. BTW I think the birthmark is cute and so do all my buddies! Owning this equipment and toys makes me feel somehow intimately connected to you and your hubby which means you now have another follower for life...Keep entertaining us and have a great move!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh yes, I remember you. You were the one that haggled me on the slightly worn eye mask, whips and chains. OMG, had me at guy that purchased my Porn collection....tears came to my eyes from laughing! Where is your blog; with that imagination, it would be a huge hit!

      Delete
  6. This was so hilarious, peed my pants laughing, lah. I am a Canadian so I raise my "eh" for your "Lah".

    ReplyDelete
  7. The dude with the vaccum on the scooter should have turned it on and used is for auxiliary power!!


    LOOOKIE

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Or he could have sucked up a few rats to rid the streets of the vermin that scare me every time I venture out for a walk.

      Delete
  8. great blog, gonna spend the night reading it...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Just don't forget to go to work in the morning and get fired.

      Delete
  9. So Sad to see you go17 February 2013 at 18:43

    My Dearest Layna, I have followed each and every one of your blogs. I love them, they make me laugh, and I feel I am with you every step of the way....well, not when you see the rats, bats, and other creepy things. I am so sorry you had to leave Singapore. What a waste, but I know you will keep up the writing. WRITE A BOOK, please. KEEP THE PHOTOS and the WRiting coming. Your following fan.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello following fan - your words make me a little leaky on the eyes. Thank you - I didn't want to leave Singapore either, but life threw us a curveball out of left field. I am not sure if that is a good baseball analogy, but I think you catch my meaning. Sad to go, going to miss my friends so much but I shall make more, god willing.

      Delete
  10. ken eye bi yo matwass fo 25 cents becwas 5.00 is tew mache fo me

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry to say, but the mattess is spoken for, and I got $6 for it! You should invest in spelling lessons!

      Delete
  11. With all due respect, I believe you are one of the funniest, blogger I have ever read. It seems like you are leaving and I want to know whether this blog will continue? Do you know where you are going? Don't leave your readers hanging please.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope to be back one day...once I start our new lives in the next country.

      Delete


  12. Hello, Do you need a loan from The most trusted and reliable company
    in the world? if yes then contact us now for we offer loan to all
    categories of seekers be it companies or for staff usage. We offer
    loan at 3% interest rate, Contact us via email:
    jonsonlanld@gmail.com

    (1) Full Name
    (2) Full Address
    (3) Country
    (4) Age
    (5) Occupation
    (6) Tell phone number
    (7) Sex:
    (8) Loan Amount needed:
    (9) Loan Duration

    Email us at: jonsonlanld@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete