Subject: I am too nice...or maybe just stupid! Ok- I have detemrined that I am just way too nice. I had an extra stem (it was on my bike when I bought it but had to buy a shorter one ) and set of handlebars (needed smaller ones ) that were just sitting on my counter for a few months. A friend/coworker of mine just bought a used bike, and mentioned that he needed new handlebars (diff. size ) and diff. stem. So...I so gractiously offered to bring in my extra bike pieces, and told him that he could try them and if they worked I would SELL them to him because I was going to put them on E-Bay. Which to me, I thought it was extremely clear that I was loking to make a few bucks off my extra bike stuff. Later, he tells me the stem works and is on his bike, but the handlebars didn't. He then tells me he'll give my the handlebars back, but will give me his old stem. Meaning- we'll swap stems. I don't think he understood that I had intended on SELLING him the stem. What the heck am I going to do with another darn stem? At the time I didn't know what to say- it was awkward. So I sat on it. Granted I know he's cheap, but I thought I would casually bring it up and tell him that I didn't want his stem and ask him to give me like $20 for mine. But today...he told me he needed to get the handlebars back and the stem. I told him I didn't want his stem and didn't have the guts to ask him to pay me for my stem- it's kind of awkward asking a friend (who you know, but not extremely well for money ). So I just told him to keep that stem because I didn't know what to do with it and didn't want another stem sitting around. It's crappy- kind of rusted, not a great stem at all. I'd be lucky to get a few pennies for it. So then he felt bad, and insisted that I take his stem. So...I am so stupid for even trying to be nice to help someone out by cutting him a deal, and really stupid that I didn't stand firm and ask him to pay me, which I told him in the first place that I would SELL him the stem. I usuaylly stand up for myself in any type of situation, but have a hard time doing so when it involves money! Does anyone else have this issue? I gues smy lesson learned...I shouldn't offer to help people so much- especially the cheap ones who just don't get it when you say the word "SELL". Edited by runnergirl28 2005-09-20 10:59 AM
|