Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Craigslist Fail

It's my 100th post! And to celebrate, I think I'll do a hodge-podge picture post (alliteration!), along with a horrible experience with a Craigslist purchase. 

First off, I had a pretty dang fun St. Patrick's day, as is evidenced by this picture:


Glow in the dark shutter shades. Aw yeah. I can never make fun of girls for doing the "duck face" ever again after seeing this picture.

To further prove that I'm a nerd, I built a new computer! And I love it and want to marry it. It has a solid state hard drive and super-fast everything. It boots up in like ten seconds and video games experience almost zero load times. AND it kind of looks like a Storm Trooper!


Gorgeous, right?

I also got a super nice new camera for my Woody's Vintage project (that is moving along, although I've hit some speed bumps). For some reason, though, I've mostly just taken pictures of my friends' dog, Dexter.




You have to start somewhere, though, and Dexter likes the exposure.

That brings me to my horrible Craigslist experience! I have had trouble selling things in the past; I've had people show up only to offer me about half the money we agreed on, people who want to meet in shady areas, and people who promise to meet me somewhere and then just not show up. This is the first time, however, that I've had trouble with the received product. 

I'm (very slowly) settling in to my new duplex in Kansas after my move from Arkansas and I decided I'd play it cheap and buy my washer and dryer from Craigslist. After all, I just bought a new computer and camera. I found a set from a really nice neighborhood for really cheap, so I figured it was just some rich people trying to get someone to haul off their old machines, which actually happens fairly often on Craigslist. The lady on the phone said that everything worked great and that she was underselling it and that it was a very good deal. Jackpot!

Well, I hooked up the washer and dryer. When I washed a load I noticed that the washer was depositing sludgy, black, slug-like flakes all over my clothes. I figured I just stirred up some debris during the move and tried again. More grime! This time, I smelled it, and boy - I was not okay with it. I decided I'd try running the machine empty with some vinegar several times based one some things I read online, but it was no good; the slime was too thick. 

I really didn't want to have to haul this thing out and haul a new one in, and I knew that even if I had the seller's phone number she wouldn't refund it and pick it up, so I figured I'd take the machine apart and clean it myself. It couldn't be that bad, right? I went to the store and got some rubber gloves, lots of paper towels, and some bleach spray, among other chemicals. Then I took the washer apart. It looked pretty gross, even after like 6 vinegar baths, but not SUPER bad.


I didn't know what that cream-colored stuff around that ring was, but I scrubbed it all away. It was caked on pretty good. Then I noticed that you could easily remove that ring, so I did... and that's when I started to realize I was in over my head.


Black, awful, rotten filth lined the machine. All of that should have been white. But I was too stubborn to simply say "screw it" and buy a new machine. No, I had to finish what I started. I washed, scrubbed, and sprayed for hours, running my paper towels low and my trash bags high. This ring was removable...


...so I decided to give it a bath.


Bad idea. Before draining the water I thought I'd strain it with a colander, kind of like how you'd get leaves out of a pool (which obviously ruined my colander), but the drain still clogged. I probably should have seen that coming, but at the time I was no longer upset at my bad purchase, but pretty carefree and jovial. That's when I looked around and realized I was using about 5 different chemicals in an unventilated room and that I had been huffing fumes all night, so I guess bad decisions were bound to happen.

Next up was the main tank, which was definitely the worst part. It was stinky and the grime was about 1/4 inch thick (or 6.4mm, for my non-US readers).


But eventually... the job was done. I'd said my final curse words and dirtied my last paper towel. I put down my rubber gloves and beheld a job well done.



It's certainly not perfect, but it is approximately infinitely cleaner than it originally was. I'm not sure why I was such a cheapskate and cleaned it instead of replacing it, but the optimist in me says that now I know exactly how clean my washer is, and I have gained the knowledge to disassemble and reassemble a washing machine.

But the pessimist in me says that the seller of this machine will be receiving eggs on her house.

21 comments:

  1. But you didn't say if it works now. Does it? And that's a fantastic job cleaning that washer. I probably would have thrown in the towel, since the Wifey would be nagging me the whole time that I'm not doing it right.

    But yeah, it was probably the fumes...

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    1. Oh, good call... I guess I forgot to add the resolution to that story. After a few cautious test runs, I ran a load of clothes and it works! No more filth deposits! ...But at what cost?

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  2. Haha - duckface! My duckface is crap so I don't even try. Well, all duckface is bad but mine is particularly awful. I feel you carry it off on an acceptable level.
    Wow, nice job with the machine. What a mean bitchface lady selling it to you like that without warning you!

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    1. Haha thanks! :) I think I was going for goofy face, but ended up doing a duck face on accident. I'll agree with the bitchface sentiments though. Grr.

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  3. What exactly does it smell like??? Haha! But great job cleaning it! How long did it take for you to clean it? At least now, you're an expert at cleaning filthy washing machines!!! New career, yo! :p

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    1. It kind of smelled like poop. I seriously thought the previous owners pooped into the washing machine. It took about 4 hours to clean. That's what my dad said! He said I should start a washer cleaning business, but I'd think that that career would have even higher suicide rates than toll booth worker.

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    2. I said you should open a business to d-nastify washing machines. Much more technically involved than a mere cleaning job.

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  4. I'm going to say three things:

    1. You're an obstinate cleaner like me! Yay :)
    2. If Dexter disappears, you know who stole him. That cuteness is a bit unbearable.
    3. You're totally rocking those funky shades.

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    Replies
    1. 1. That's true, and obstinate is a good word for it!
      2. If you're coming to Kansas to steal a dog, stop by for a bloggy rendezvous!
      3. Thanks :) Good times were had.

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  5. I definitely agree craigslist lady deserves some eggs! Good work on the cleaning though, I doubt I would have put that much effort in! Also, it makes me a bit nervous about what I might find in the washing machine we bought 2nd hand... :S

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    1. Yeah I won't do any egging myself so I'll just have to hope Halloween brings them bad fortune, haha. If you're not experiencing any issues with your washer so far, I'd say you're okay :)

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  6. she needs some eggs. bring on the eggs.

    may i also say that dexter is a model. but not purina, like HAUTE COUTURE FOR ANIMALS model.

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    1. Haha! That's true, he's a pretty fine specimen :) He'd love the haute couture world!

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  7. I'm extremely impressed by your computer building. That shit looks HIGH CLASS. Like an expensive hooker. But smarter.

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    1. Almost as much fun, too! Although they both tend to get viruses...

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  8. I'm impressed by your many skills. Computer building, of course. That washing machine looks amazing. I probably would have taken it apart, kicked it, broken a toe, and left it to rust for all eternity.

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    1. Honestly, that's what I should have done. It might even be worth the broken toe.

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  9. Hi
    I saw a mug further down on your blogg that defiantly interested me. The TMNT-one, please contact me on my email or fb
    cdgustafsson at gmail . com
    my fb name is carl daniel gustafsson

    best regards
    /Daniel

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    1. I tried messaging you of Facebook but I got no reply! Unless I messaged the wrong Carl Daniel Gustafsson...

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  10. Your computer is so pretty! And it does resemble a stormtrooper. I am qualified to give that opinion, because I am a Jedi. And that washing mackine was so disgusting! She should have paid you to take it. Impressive cleaning job though. And huffing a bunch of fumes in a poorly-ventilated area is always good for not caring about things.

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    1. Thank you, I think it's gorgeous, too :) I had no idea you were of such a high status! I'll have to change the way I address you immediately, m'lady.

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