Brought home ANOTHER scrap mower. They also had a push mower engine they were selling.
The riding mower is junk. Seized engine. No deck. But it has a kohler that has the missing linkages and stuff I need for the Ariens *******. $25 for the mower with the parts I need, vs $40 on Amazon. $15 for the push mower engine. Pulls and sounds like it has compression.
But boy, let me tell ya how this went down. Messaged the seller and someone was on their way already. That was LAST weekend. I told them if that person backs out or flaked, let me know. I’ll be there. Wednesday, I got a message that it was still available.
I drive there today, and there’s a KID waiting for me. 10yo boy. “You here for the mower?” “Yeah. You selling the mower?””yeah, it’s back here on the side of the house”.
Followed him to the side of the house (where I had visions of Chris Hanson waiting, while I’m frantically thinking how the EFF could this be mistaken for anything. Is there street code/slang for “mower for sale” that means totally different things to different populations?!?? And ****. I was messaging a middle aged/older woman!! She looked to be in her mid/late 50’s!), and sure enough. There was the mower. In the back of the house, was the engine for the push mower.
Wasn’t going to buy the push mower engine, but for $15, why not. I’ll find a free push mower needing an engine eventually. There HAD been a deck for free a few weeks back, but it’s not on FBM anymore. Oh well.
Now here is where I’m impressed with this kid. I’m talking to his gramma. She has custody. Kids dad and mom are out of the picture. As I’m talking to her, after a few minutes, he walks out with his guitar, her purse, keys to the car, shoes (she was barefoot), and a hair brush. Basically sayin “get ready”.
I’m thinking, he wants to buy a video game or something.
NOPE. Lil man says “harbor freight, tractor supply, and the music store”.
Turns out he wanted to buy a toolbox for his tools. AND he told ME that US General boxes are good boxes!
His gramma said to him that if he wanted something, he’s gotta earn it! The neighbor gave him the riding mower to fiddle with. He turns around and sells it to buy what he really wanted.
That’s just badass right there. AND HE IS TEN YEARS OLD!
I’m bummed though. Had I known he needed a toolbox, I’d have brought him one, so he could keep the cash for something else.
They’re moving, and still have a garage to go through. They took my number, so when the time comes, I’ll head down there and see what else I can buy from them to put some cash in lil dudes pockets!
I don’t know who lil dudes mentor is. It’s a small town. I’m betting one of YOU degenerates are his mentor! How else at 10yo does he see importance in tools and tool organization?!? His dad was briefly in the picture but was an addict and verbally abusive. Now in prison for a while. I doubt he learned it from him(?). Dunno. But. I. Am. Impressed!