Is this the future of America? (Warning: Craigslist responses ahead!)

[runningtoohot]

I’m flabbergasted. Is this really the state of education or intelligence in this country? Do people even know how to *read*, let alone write a coherent sentence? (And *I* was considered to have poor English language skills in high school!)

I’m selling a NON RUNNING 1992 400E. The ad states the condition of the car, including the fact that it does not run, it needs an upper wiring harness, and it has been sitting for 3 years. It also states that if the ad is up, then it is still available, and the registration has been paid up until last year. (Link: http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/cto/4315850639.html )

I went through some of the email responses, and I have listed a handful of choice replies below. I actually eliminated the ones that were obviously due to English being a secondary language, as that wouldn’t be fair - and it would be even meaner than my leaving the phone numbers in the quoted replies.

These are verbatim quotes – I kid you not!


WATS YOUR CELL OR CALL 818 880 7394 IF U GOT BENZ THANKS


Good morning I need mor inf.
Abaut you adress need one car for my wife and litle bb coming soon
(562)968=9109 can you pleade call me o txt thank you


Do you still have the Benz for sale? do you have an parking?


Hello
I am interested in this car just a few questions. Is the car currently running? if not what would it take to get it to run?
thank you
Edwin
(714)715-1512



I like yor car. How does it run and what kind of miles do it? how big is the trank? gimme yor nummer.



Hi I am a college student in need of a car I am interested, is this car still up for sale?


Dat car be da shiz wit 22s. Sel me les mony?


How much money do you want down and what are the payments?


Hello, I came across your Mercedes 400E today on craigslist and it seems to be a pretty clean and solid car. Can you drive it to me so i can see it?


Hi,
Hope this mail finds you well.
I saw your add for the well maintained MB 400E and was wondering if its steel available.
I am in search of such a car and I would love to see it.


Does the car run?
Is back registration owed on the car?

 

[alabbasi]

Yep, selling stuff on Craigslist is a not fun. Constant requests for pictures, low ball pricing and 99% of the people that contact you have no money and nothing better to do.
I've found that I have much better luck selling cars and parts on ebay.

 

[gerryvz]

Perhaps this could be the genesis for a "Bottom Gear" story idea for Ron500E, if his supply of Benzworld 126 forum shenanigans ever dries up.....

 

[Maui]

Wow, that is some funny stuff there. Maybe Ron can use it in a sitcom or something.

I've sold a few things on CL without much issue. The funniest was 6' x 6' chain link dog run. The guy that bought it did not want to take it apart so he tied it to the top of his Isuzu Trooper standing on end. It was really shaking around badly when he left and I told him he owned it and I was not responsible if and when it fell off and killed someone. He had two very small pieces of string holding it to the roof. I have no doubt it fell off within a couple blocks or at least on the first curve.

 

[emerydc8]

The dumbing down of America. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dumbing_down

They used to want employees who were just literate enough to operate the machinery, but incapable of any critical thought.

With the outsourcing of our jobs and the successful transition to a country consisting mostly of consumers who produce nothing, I guess they don't even want literate workers anymore. We have been living on a credit card since the end of Bretton Woods. It will get worse.

 

[runningtoohot]

...if his supply of Benzworld 126 forum shenanigans ever dries up.....

Do tell!!! What shenanigans? Could you post any links?

They used to want employees who were just literate enough to operate the machinery, but incapable of any critical thought.

Still applies, although circumstances may be different. As a business owner in a "service" economy, you typically want someone competent enough to get the job done, yet you don't want someone very ambitious or smart - otherwise you may be training your future competitor.

With the outsourcing of our jobs and the successful transition to a country consisting mostly of consumers who produce nothing, I guess they don't even want literate workers anymore. We have been living on a credit card since the end of Bretton Woods. It will get worse.

What do you mean we don't produce anything? We produce an incredibly ignorant, whining, & self-indulgent populace with an unbelievable sense of entitlement. "I exist, therefore *you* must support my existence". For the sake of others, please don't get me started.

Ever heard of "section 8" rental assistance? I got talked into that once, thankfully she moved out. She couldn't even change a light bulb, and actually called an electrician and tried to deduct it from the rent. Seriously. Or how about this: (the last 10 seconds say it all) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBqjZ0KZCa0&sns=ehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBqjZ0KZCa0&sns=em

Or you'll love this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a780LGWG7to

Okay, am I banned now?

 

[gerryvz]

Do tell!!! What shenanigans? Could you post any links?

http://www.500eboard.com/forums/sho...with-Benzworld-org&p=7290&viewfull=1#post7290

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/open-discussion/338181-benz-world-any-fans.html

 

[emerydc8]

What do you mean we don't produce anything? We produce an incredibly ignorant, whining, & self-indulgent populace with an unbelievable sense of entitlement. "I exist, therefore *you* must support my existence". For the sake of others, please don't get me started.

"You didn't create that--someone else did."

 

[Jelmer]

This isn't only in English. I have the same experience here. One time (years ago) I was looking for a gearbox and I received an email without content but a subject (roughly translated) "the box i hafe for you".

I try to deal with people as little as possible

 

[gsxr]

Glenn, I really hope you made some of those up. Really.

Otherwise, Ron may want to talk to you about posting ads once a month or so, to generate a nice little segment for each Bottom Gear episode. You know, instead of "In The News", have a "Cragslist Follies" bit for five minutes.

 

[runningtoohot]

"You didn't create that--someone else did."

Thanks for reminding me. I forgot that since I'm not a direct employee of big-Government, that I (we) weren't part of a collaborative effort.

...I try to deal with people as little as possible

That's why I'm selling off everything - as preparation to taking up residency on a remote mountain top. I'm not yet sure if I'll shave my head and get an orange robe, but it's under consideration.

Glenn, I really hope you made some of those up. Really.

Otherwise, Ron may want to talk to you about posting ads once a month or so, to generate a nice little segment for each Bottom Gear episode. You know, instead of "In The News", have a "Cragslist Follies" bit for five minutes.

Nope. Those are ALL absolutely genuine "cut & pastes". It's taken several weeks to collect those gems, and I now regret that I previously deleted some others. (I'm so thankful that I made a dedicated email address for craigslist.)

 

[Allgonquin]

Many times I too have paused to wonder at the future of mankind after reading Craiglist ads, much less responses to for sale ads. There was quite a thread on garagejournal.com on the topic. I just don't get the sorts of people who own a Camaro, who could conceivably trot outside and check the spelling by reading the nameplate on their own car, yet list it as a Camero. That is just the tiny, smallest smidge of the tip of the iceberg of CL wonderment. But I get some restoration of faith in mankind after viewing some of the vids on wimp.com - always a good selection of amazing things.

Rgds,
Chris

 

[Maui]

Trust me, the current government would love nothing more than have the country populated with useful idiots. They want them to sit at home, watch the Maury show and collect food stamps. The only activity they want them to do is vote for more free stuff.

Allgonquin, are you native algonquin? The reason I ask is because my brother is an expert in Allgonquin languages especially Objibwe. He's the head of American Indian Studies at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.

 

[gerryvz]

You would not belive how stupid the people are who are in federal civilian servcie.

If the TSA is indicative of federal civilian service, I think I do know. I have to deal with them almost weekly.

After what, 10+ years, I am STILL waiting for news that the TSA has caught a SINGLE terrorist or other real threat to security in US skies.

 

[Maui]

If the TSA is indicative of federal civilian service, I think I do know. I have to deal with them almost weekly.

After what, 10+ years, I am STILL waiting for news that the TSA has caught a SINGLE terrorist or other real threat to security in US skies.

You must have missed the little old lady with the knitting needles.

 

[Allgonquin]

Allgonquin, are you native algonquin? The reason I ask is because my brother is an expert in Allgonquin languages especially Objibwe. He's the head of American Indian Studies at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.

Nope, not a native. I just picked that sig name /screen name one day many years ago by adding an extra L and I've used it on message boards ever since and even old usenet groups back in the day. No idea what prompted that name to pop into my head at the time.

Chris

 

[szvook]

Have the country populated with useful idiots.

That's the majority of native peeps here. Since I've been living in the states going back to 1978, I have come to the conclusion that almost 70% of peeps born here (going back at least three generations) are dumber than dog shite...and getting dumber. The educational system here is a joke...oldie, but goodie - "I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to do so because, uhmmm, some people out there in our nation don't have maps and uh, I believe that our, I, education like such as, uh, South Africa, and uh, the Iraq, everywhere like such as, and I believe that they should, uhhh, our education over here in the U.S. should help the U.S., uh, should help South Africa, it should help the Iraq and the Asian countries so we will be able to build up our future, for us.”...priceless.

 

[KarlC]

That's the majority of native peeps here. Since I've been living in the states going back to 1978, I have come to the conclusion that almost 70% of peeps born here (going back at least three generations) are dumber than dog shite...and getting dumber. The educational system here is a joke...oldie, but goodie - "I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to do so because, uhmmm, some people out there in our nation don't have maps and uh, I believe that our, I, education like such as, uh, South Africa, and uh, the Iraq, everywhere like such as, and I believe that they should, uhhh, our education over here in the U.S. should help the U.S., uh, should help South Africa, it should help the Iraq and the Asian countries so we will be able to build up our future, for us.”...priceless.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj3iNxZ8Dww#t=34

 

[Maui]

The idiocy carries over to the local news.

[video=youtube;sqQYImwfRTI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqQYImwfRTI[/video]

 

[8899]

idiocy

Or just plain idiocracy. It's everywhere.

 

[sheward]

The idiocy carries over to the local news.

]

Incredibly inept on one level and very funny on another!

drew