Parts Unknown

Many years ago, I was clearing out my grandma’s apartment after her passing. Mostly trying to sell off whatever no one wanted, including her computer. I decided to see if I could sell it through one of the computer repair/used computer shops.

The first one I called, I had seen ads for all over town, so I assumed it was relatively reputable. They asked me how old the computer was. I told them I had no idea, and they said to bring it in, and they’d have a look, but that they could probably give me about $100 for it. Awesome.

When I get to the shop, the vibe is off. About five guys are working in the back, and none even acknowledge my presence for a good few minutes, like talking amongst themselves, not working, and ignoring my initial hello. Eventually, one guy comes over.

Tech: “So, how old did you say this computer is?”

Me: “I have no idea, it was my grandmother’s. I think she’s had it for a few years at least.”

Tech: “Riiight. This is old as f***. I don’t know why you even bothered bringing it here.”

Me: “That’s why I called first, and whoever I talked to said to just bring it in.”

Tech: “That was me, and you didn’t say it was old!”

Me: “I’m sorry, I didn’t know. All computer towers look the same to me.”

Tech: “UGH. Maybe I could use it for parts.

At this point, he took the side of the tower off, and suddenly his mood shifted to really aggressive.

Tech: “Where did you get this?”

Me: “My grandma?”

Tech: “Then why does it say [Grandma’s Male Friend’s Name] inside it!?”

Me: “Probably cause that’s the guy she got her computer from?”

Tech: “Yeah, sure. Okay, well, I can toss this for you.”

Me: “Uh, I brought it in to sell… otherwise I’ll just let my kids play on it.”

Tech: “So you just wasted my time.”

And then he immediately walked away to where the other guys were still sitting and says something to the effect of “can you believe this b****?”

I left very quickly. I ended up giving it back to the friend who had sold it to my grandma. Came to find out he had built it himself, and it had all sorts of fancy parts/programming.