Monday, September 7, 2009

Start the car! Start the car!


When I moved into my home, I had just about the ugliest staircase ever: green carpet that wrapped around the steps and down onto the wall and a chipped white iron railing, the kind you might use outside in a garden, not indoors. Ick. I wanted to block as much of it as possible, so a designer friend custom-made a nice large wood entertainment center (armoire and side bookcases) that managed to hide some of the staircase ugliness.

Fast forward to 2008: I had the staircase redone!
Hmmm ... but now the armoire/bookcases covered my beautiful new staircase. Another change needed! I sold the entertainment center on Craigslist last month and brought out the old TV stand until I have a job and can get a nice, new one.

In the meantime, though, I needed a bookcase for the goodies that had been on the other two bookcases. The bookcase had to be no more than 24” wide in order to fit on the wall designated for it. Ideally, I wanted one that was open on all sides, too. That wall has an outlet that I use for the vacuum cleaner and I didn’t want to have the outlet blocked if I could help it. Searched and searched; so difficult to find a bookcase that size. I finally found one online at Bed Bath and Beyond: open sides, right size, wood, $99.99 – hurray! I called the corporate number and found they had it in stock in my local store, so I called the store, had them put it on hold and rushed right over. So excited!

I got to the store and they pulled out the bookcase from the back. It was the wrong one! Yes, $99.99; yes, wood; yes, the same width. But it was closed on the sides. Oh no. I’m sad. Together the sales guy and I went online and I showed him the one I wanted. $99.99, wood, open sides, 24” wide. He checked. They had it in stock! Yay! I’m happy!

Off he went to get it from the back. Yes! It’s the right one, $99.99 sticker on the box, the whole shebang. Relief!

The cashier scanned the $99.99 sticker. Uh-oh!
She scanned it again. Hmmm …
"What’s wrong?"
“Ma’am, it’s coming up as $14.99.”
“But the sticker says it’s $99.99,” I say, “and it’s $99.99 online, too.”
(When I told the story to my family recently, it was at this point that they started hitting me and saying “Only YOU would even question something like that!” Guess they have a point. I should know when to keep my mouth shut.)
“Well, ma’am, it’s coming up as $14.99 so that’s the price.”

Coming to my senses – but still feeling faintly guilty – I pay, they load it up in a shopping cart and the guy helps me take it to the car and loads it in for me. I quickly thanked him … and blasted outta there, thinking of the IKEA winter sale commercial “Start the car! Start the car! WOOOOOOO!”

I know. I should’ve bought two.

11 comments:

Erin {House of Turquoise} said...

ha ha, what a great story!! It really looks great though...what a perfect fit!

paintergal said...

Oh good golly! A great shelf at a ridiculous price. Happy Day!

Janice Lynne Lundy said...

I love when things like this happen. They affirm what I believe about the Universe supporting us when we are in alignment with our truest selves. Even in the form of bargains! Everything looks great, enjoy!

Life Potentials Network said...

This was a charming and amusing story! I just loved it! Everything looks wonderful...hope you enjoy your new look...how can you not with such a great story attached! xo

Lady Prism said...

lucky lucky lady!

PixieDust said...

I thought I was misreading the amount - that it was ringing up 149.99

Lucky you!!!

:-D

Looks beautiful.

(((hugs))),
love,
me

Kelee Katillac said...

Hi Rose!

So great! The Universe wanted you to have it for $14.99!!! Had to be because you protested with integrity and they still made it yours for that price!

You deserve it! And I love your wall color too...very
peaceful like your fountain and harp.....

love, kelee

dec0r8or said...

What a great story, Rose! And YES, you SHOULD have bought two! :) It looks much like the ones that I have--and I paid $89 each for mine, thinking THAT was a bargain! I think everyone else is right--the universe DID want you to have it! Yay, Rose! (Oh, and I revisited your stairs make-over--AWESOME!)

rebecca said...

Toooo funny! Only you! Start the car! Start the car!

And, yes, you should've bought two! Time to go back before they realize they made a mistake....hehe!!!

Kat said...

That old staircase was soooo not you! The new one is totally YOU!
Okay Im using to many !!! but omg $14.99!!!!! Are you kidding me? ROFL!!! Its perfect and yes you should have bought two.

joan said...

Wow!! Now that's a steal of a deal! Why don't you go back and get a second one? No, that's not stealing;)
I LOVE that Ikea commercial. It makes me laugh every time!
Congrats on your great buy Rose!