the Boy Scout Bandit

 Craigslist is a great thing.  One can buy used couches, used clothes, toys, cars,etc.  The national news too often reminds us you can also find used women (aka hookers/escorts) and murder victims through their social site.  I do not use it for those latter purposes but have been known to buy and sell household items now and then.   At one point, we had a couch, bed, bed frame, table, washer and dryer all off Craigslist.  Living in Austin is expensive and my household is notoriously cheap. 

Last weekend I found a Kindle reader for sale that I had to have for my own.  The owner and I talked through text messages (that sounds so ridiculous) and made plan to meet up and make the deal.  I have a few rules about doing deals on Craigslist and one is that I do not go to someone's home if I can help it.  Public places are always best when it is possible.  Obviously, if I am buying a couch I do not expect the owner to haul it to a store parking lot but I did not think it was too much to ask when purchasing a hand held e reader device. 

The plan was to meet at an HEB and make the transaction there.  Remember I did this all through text so I should not have been surprised when a 15 year old kid approaches me and pulls an Amazon box out of his back pack.  I should not have been surprised but I was and now I also felt old.  After inspection, the Kindle looked perfect so I asked why he was selling it.  His answer, "my sister does not want it."

"Does she know you are selling it?" I asked. 
"She didn't take it to college; she left it in her room" was his response.  To which I responded, "you didn't answer my question."  He finally assured me she was okay with it and who I am to stand in the middle of some good ol' sibling rivalry if he was lying so I bought it.

I was so excited to get it home and get it going. Fast forward two hours later when Amazon.com representatives told me, "Ma'am this device was reported stolen."  Insert jaw drop her.

The kid looked like boy scout but then again so did Ted Bundy.  I summoned up my best mom tone and call the little thief.  I left the most direct voicemail I could telling him I would do a reverse look-up on his number and report him to not only Craigslist, Amazon but also his parents.I told him this was not a joke, and I was not amused.  I then called Amazon back after remembering I had the Amazon box the device had been mailed in to its owner before getting swiped by the Boy Scout Bandit.  Amazon was amused but not helpful; however, because I was trying to do the right thing they gave me a $30 voucher. 

Long story short: the kid called back freaking out with tears in his voice saying he had no idea.  He said his sister came clean that the Kindle had mistakenly been delivered to their house and she did not return it.  She told him to sell it and she would split the cash with him.  Nice.  He then offered to mail my money back to me.  The Boy Scout Bandit was actually just a Boy Scout after all. 
Later that day I got a text from him saying, "I don't want you to think I stole it or something.  I don't steal".  And my faith was restored that there are good kids out there and some not so good older sisters.  (My older sister is awesome for the record.)

And guess what arrived yesterday....my new Kindle.  I put the voucher to good use.