ebay adventures!
Finally, the saga of the camera is over. After attempting to sell my camera on ebay, starting some time last month, I finally am done. My first bidder did not even contact me, so I contacted the next bidder after a week had passed (ebay rules), who agreed to buy it. However, I discovered to my chagrin that he had a shipping address in Russia! He thankfully agreed to pay extra for shipping, rather than the low price that I had foolishly advertised, assuming that everyone who used ebay lived in the U.S. After receiving payment from my new Russian buyer through some intermediary in Florida (don't ask questions: it was SKETCHY), I set about to mail the package this morning.
As luck would have it, this morning featured a charming 8 inch snowfall (and it's still snowing!). First, I went to the on-campus post office. Then, I realized that you can't use credit cards (of course, I had little cash). Then, I went on a mad search for an ATM, taking leads from strangers on the street, until I eventually found one that was my bank. After returning, the post office lady says, "Oh, russia? I'm sorry, but you must fill out a customs card. On the top of this lengthy form, it says something about the fact that "we have the right to open your package and search through the contents." As it's going to Russia, I'm certain that the authorities there will take the opportunity to do so. Actually, my friend from Colombia told me that nothing sent through the U.S. Postal service ever arrives in Colombia because the postal workers steal it. I wonder if this is true in Russia.
Anyway, next, the woman at the post office inquired into my choice of box: "This isn't a wine box, is it?" I pleaded with her, saying that it was not. In reality, it looked a lot like a wine box, and I'm not entirely sure where it came from (I just found it lying around the house). The good news is, I am finally free from this camera, which took ages to sell. I almost don't care if some Russian postal worker steals it.
As luck would have it, this morning featured a charming 8 inch snowfall (and it's still snowing!). First, I went to the on-campus post office. Then, I realized that you can't use credit cards (of course, I had little cash). Then, I went on a mad search for an ATM, taking leads from strangers on the street, until I eventually found one that was my bank. After returning, the post office lady says, "Oh, russia? I'm sorry, but you must fill out a customs card. On the top of this lengthy form, it says something about the fact that "we have the right to open your package and search through the contents." As it's going to Russia, I'm certain that the authorities there will take the opportunity to do so. Actually, my friend from Colombia told me that nothing sent through the U.S. Postal service ever arrives in Colombia because the postal workers steal it. I wonder if this is true in Russia.
Anyway, next, the woman at the post office inquired into my choice of box: "This isn't a wine box, is it?" I pleaded with her, saying that it was not. In reality, it looked a lot like a wine box, and I'm not entirely sure where it came from (I just found it lying around the house). The good news is, I am finally free from this camera, which took ages to sell. I almost don't care if some Russian postal worker steals it.