Items For Sale
Summer is here and many expats are selling their stuff as they get ready to move on to newer pastures (or be sent back to older ones).
Those of us who have been in Shanghai for more than a year will recognise the cycle and see there is an opportunity to get good secondhand gear. I have seen friends, colleagues and acquaintances sell everything from big estate cars, computers, furniture, baby gear, books, electronic equipment and tissue holders. Every year I get Emails from colleagues with lists and photos of things for sale. Invariably the 200 RMB Giant mountain bike is sold within seconds. I also see flyers in coffee shops such as Casbah Cafe in Huai Hai Lu and the Shanghaiexpat forum gets posts from people on a selling mission.
The funniest thing I saw this week was a spoof list sent to me by a colleague who is obviously in need of a holiday. Some of the items have been omitted to protect the guilty.
End of year Sale items
Opened box of tampons – half full – 20RMB
Sofitel slippers – 3 – 5RMB
Blue plastic re-usable folders – 20 – 20RMB
Unused kitchen multi-purpose sponge – 5 mao
Leg wax/ hair removal tube– half full! – 3RMB
Cans of cat food – various flavours x 5 – 20RMB
Cat hair brush – used once only! – 5RMB
6 empty CD cases – free
Vintage Plastic supermarket bags various sizes – 1 mao each
Box of staples – discontinued size – 5 mao
Box of toothpicks from japan airport – 3mao