Free Sounds Good to Me!

I was out the other evening running errands, as I usually do. Limited amount of time, etc, etc. I had to stop in a Petcetera to get another filter for our Cat-It watering dish (one of those super-duper fancy bowls that keeps the water constantly running, normally $50, I got it 2nd hand for $10). Everything in the store is 15% off (bonus). So I also looked at the scratching posts. We have been talking about getting one for awhile, but never wanted to spend the money. But with 15% off of like $24, how bad can it be?

Anyway, I find one that I like, with no price tag, its the only one there, so I bring it up to the cash. Oh, and before we get to that part of the story, I just have to mention it must have been a very slow night at Petcetera. I was the only car in the parking lot, and somehow I think the staff didn't even see me walk in. About two minutes after I walk in, someone comes over the PA and says "Alesha stinks." Um, wow, obviously the height of professionalism that night ;)

Anyway, I ask how much my unmarked cat post is. The girl (likely Alesha) doesn't know. She asks the boy. He says, "I don't know...free?" She laughs, and says, "Sure, you can have it for free." And I'm like, "un hun, right." Then she rings in my filters, the transaction ends, and I said, "Are you serious about the cat post." "Well, yeah, what else are we going to do with it, throw it in the garbage because we can't sell it?" I said "thank you, and my cat will love you for this." In reply she said, "Well, I love your cat."

So if any of you have seen that IKEA commercial where the woman is running to the car with all of her purchases, yelling, "Start the car, start the car," that was me with my silly cat post. I walked to the car like a grinning fool. No one should ever be that happy about a scratching post, but then again, did they get it for free?

Now the ex retail employee in me struggles with the entire scenario. What about inventory? What about your shrink? Can you not find a similar style in the backroom, in a catalogue, on your computer? Use another item's SKU to ring it in? I mean the list goes on and on. Apparently she was the Assistant Manager and had the authority to do things like this. Ok fine. I will gladly receive the freeness!

So this kind of prompted me to show you some of the other "freeness" that has come my way, mainly via Edmonton Earthcycle.

First of all, my free cat scratch post (note Nala in the background, just "loving" her new toy)
Next is my best "score" thus far. This was a couple who live in Beaumont (a small town about 10 minutes south of Edmonton, a very cute town) who were renovating their house, and no longer needed these items. A bathroom vanity, which was much needed in our upstairs bathroom for extra storage.
Next, the same people were giving away this "bench." I'm not sure how it was used as a bench, but Rob had the brilliant idea to make it into a little table for Abbi. We took off the foam cushion, flipped the plywood over, and taped white paper to it, so she can color on it, eat on it, whatever. And the little chair is from IKEA. It was $20. Rob used the foam from the bench, and made a little cushion using some fabric I already had. I love it! Now we just have to get one more chair for the time when Gabe will also be sitting at the table.
Another good one was a lady who gave away all of her beading supplies and beads, as well as the little cases. Crazy!
And finally, some toys.
So yeah, free definitely sounds good to me!