na-scam ako sa facebook marketplace

mail from the slow lane #8 includes: amateur mistakes, mentions of dead cats (again), and choco bon mini roll

Nov 11, 2024

October welcomed an interesting chain of events. It all started when Typhoon Kristine made landfall in Metro Manila. No one felt good about going out that day, but we did it anyway. The people I was with were paid to be there, and I already filed that day as a paid time off at work—a real Burden of Dreams (1982) moment. We should've headed back when we saw lit street lights at 2 pm, but calling off a PTO takes a lot of red tape, and I haaaaaaate bureaucracy. So, off we went to Quezon City to attend an event that would be canceled a few minutes before its scheduled time. Dejected, we sat in a brewery and processed everything that transpired that night. If you saw Paimon from Hereditary with Pearl and the Kids Next Door, that was probably us. We only went home before visiting Studio Soup because they had an I Saw The TV Glow-inspired space activation, which also got canceled. Pero okay lang. Nakapag-basa pa rin kami ng zines at tumatak samin yung Growing Roses on Concrete ni Gab Ferrer. It’s a photo collection of cats that got run over by cars that reminds me of Sharon Creech’s Love That Dog and all the photos I took of dead rats from 2015 to present. Should I make a zine called Love That Rat?

I got home after wading through the Metro Manila flood, only to realize I had left the window by my desk open. Rainwater got in thanks to 95 km/h winds and my apartment's poor layout. The next day, I turned on my computer, and my monitor died soon after. I panicked and went to Facebook Marketplace to buy a new one ASAP.

Let me preface this by saying that I had it coming. I messaged a seller with a Lenovo ThinkVision listing for 1,600, typically retailing for about 6,500 PHP. 1) I should've controlled my lowballing inclinations, 2) I should've stopped talking to them when I noticed holes in their story, 3) and when they became too aggressive when I expressed doubts about our transaction. But I still gave them the benefit of the doubt after they sent a monitor test video where they said my name. It made me feel bad for being too suspicious of people trying to make a living.

So I sent the payment via GCash, and they blocked me soon after. The listing was gone, too. I couldn't bring myself to text the Lalamove rider they were probably in cahoots with. I can't call incompetent cops. I can't be mad at them for scamming an FB marketplace lowballer, either. What's the point? The only thing left to do was hope that they used the money for something worthwhile. I was able to save their identification cards, but I'm dubious about their authenticity. I just hate how rude they were about scamming me. At least be nice when trying to steal from me. :(

Just stop before you think of lecturing me or telling me what I should've done. I do not want to hear it. Dazurb, blablabla. I have learned what I need to know. Lessons are listed below.

Key Takeaways:

Always close your windows when leaving the house.
Buy from a reputable source
A canceled event is always better than running one that could put people in harm's way.
Water will always win.
Wag masyado lowballer sa FB Marketplace.

I bought a monitor from EasyPC #NotAnAd just because I needed it for weekend work. My partner has so kindly fixed my old monitor through magic and by ordering a new power supply from Shopee. And now I'm selling the new one. If you know someone who might be interested in a YGT 23-inch monitor for 2,000 (very negotiable) shipping from Makati, please let me know!

Recent excursions

Neutral position ni aze pag nasa mixer

erm

Makati Cinema Square date with Leila. My first internet friend from 2012! Our first ever hangout was at Sta Lucia Odyssey where Leila got a The Killers CD. This weekend, we dropped by Plaka Planet di ko maalala kung ano hawak ni Leila dyan but they look adorable.

Inigo with the longest attached ash I’ve ever seen

Studio soup library

Shane Dandan’s album launch at sari-sari. I got to document this!!! Very neat. I didn’t love most of the photos I took that night, especially those on film due to skill issue. Will try much much harder next time. This is my favorite photo though. ^___^