Got the tires - looking for rims

The trip across town was well worth it.  Hubby was pleased with their condition.  Price seemed fair to us, so we didn't bargain.  My current Saturn tires are in good enough condition for summer, so I will look for rims before having the new-to-us tires mounted and balanced.  Then we can easily switch tires when seasons change.

Craigslist

Buying specific items is easier on Craigslist.  Their URL for the Denver area is http://denver.craigslist.org.  If you are not in the Denver, be sure to change the location so you don’t get excited about something in Omaha. 

I always check out the free stuff (goes fast), farm+garden, materials, garage sales and auto parts.  I watch other categories from time to time.

Today, we are going across town (don’t usually do that unless it is something special) to look at four mud and snow tires for the Saturn Vue.   This is my husband’s department, so he will decide if the price and condition of the tires are right for us.  Four new ones mounted and balanced go for over $600.  

When thinking of tires be sure to check the size you need.  Tire sizes are printed on the sidewall of each tire.  Double check this with the owner's manual.  It will look something like P245/75R16.  According to the Saturn's owner's manual P means passenger car.  245 is the tire's width in millimeters from sidewall to sidewall. 75 is the aspect ratio (height to width ratio - in this case the tire's sidewall is 75% as high as it is wide).  R means radial ply construction.  16 means rim diameter.

If you are a newby to Craigslist, sellers post a description and most times a picture.   This can help you decide if you want to pursue it further.  You can also send the listing to a friend’s email address for their opinion.  There is an items-wanted section, but I don’t think it gets much traffic.   Every once in a while, an items-wanted ad will appear with the for-sale ads.

If you are a seller, put in only the relevant facts plus picture.  Check your spelling – there have been some pretty funny misspellings and a couple of spoofs that have brightened my day.  I don’t know why but weirdly named fish have been targeted.

A good Craiglister will delete their ad when it sells.   Items can be on Craigslist for 45 days – we have had a 1966 Charger tranny with bell housing and shifter for almost a month.  Obviously the right muscle car restorer hasn’t viewed it yet.  Our tires and rims for a previous SL Saturn went quickly. 

Estate Sales

More estate sales than garage sales this morning.  Had have good success in the past with basements, backyards and garages, so I look there first.  Of course, cowboy/cowgirl chic stuff gets my attention, and today include a live raccoon trap for $15, large size cowboy boots for $10 and the cowboy tie for $2.  The "On the Range" picture was $28.

For newbies, I included the Grain Train sign because some sales are sponsored by charities like this one. Didn't find anything there this time, though.

I thought the two outdoor chairs and footstool were at a good price ($15 for all).  The metal structure and cushions were in good shape, and it was comfortable.  One arm was missing, and I would have taken all the arms off.

Came home with three things - the white canvas (?) coat with Indian painting ($5); little dirty, but washed up beautifully on the delicate cycle, two cowboy whips ($1 and $.50) and a "Ready Set Go appliance (not pictured) that is advertised on TV ($3 but has no recipe book).  It does have a timer and looks like it could do toasted cheese., but if it doesn't live up to my expectations, it will be off to Goodwill.

More hunting next week.

Cached in Plain Sight

Yipeeeeeeeeeeeee.

Tomorrow morning is my time for garage sales, and sadly the season in Colorado is winding down.

Every community has different rules. My sister in Texas goes at the crack of dawn (6-7 am) while we in Colorado are more laid back.  I am usually out by 9 and back by 11.

I usually take the Saturn Vue rather than the '88 Toyota pickup, and wear clean gardening or crafting clothes.  Doesn't seem like a good idea to haggle over price wearing fancy duds or driving an expensive car.  I'll take a bunch of change and plenty of one dollar bills.  After bargaining someone down, it doesn't seem right to pull out a $50 bill.

I'll bring back a couple of pictures of what I saw, what I passed up and what I bought.

Happy garage sales to you...