My Sunday: Fried Pickles and Cleaning

After church today, I went out to eat with my parents. I eat out with my dad pretty much every night because it "relaxes" him, so no big deal. Well, it was, because I really liked the place we ate for once! You see, my dad enjoys eating at old school, junky southern restaurants that are called "meat and three's." Basically, you get a meat, three vegetables, and a roll or corn bread. Sounds cool if you're old, maybe. Well, these restaurants are inexpensive (cheap), and it doesn't seem like they can afford basic maintenance. But my Dad loves them, and will drive an hour to eat at a new one. I guess it reminds him of growing up in Mississippi.

Today was different though. The food was good. The atmosphere was decent. To be honest, I haven't found any restaurants down here that match the atmosphere of restaurants in the Twin Cities.

What I want to talk about though, is an interesting food I had: fried pickles. They were only ok, but I have to let everyone know that Scotland apparently controls the south. That's right, Scotland isn't the only place that will deep fry everything (including Mars Bars), the dirty south will.

Nasty.

I was unable to get hold of my partner after lunch, so I didn't finish the Cressida today. Instead, I detailed the interior of Dad's Audi the best I could before dark and then washed the exterior at a Carwash. It was dirty, and he doesn't seem like he really even cared I did it. Oh well. I'm learning how to get cars really clean, which will help me as I buy and sell :)

God is Good

You know ultimately God takes us through unexpected places, all for our good. When Utah didn't work out, I was discouraged, but now I am understanding that God brought me to Memphis for a reason. Yes, it is frustrating being in with the 'rents again, yes it is frustrating making less money at my "full time" job. But let me tell you, I bought a car tonight that I can flip real quick... and I got it for way less than anyone would think possible. I'll get 5x what I put in the vehicle, and I'll pocket 2.5x what I have in it. That helps, and it's God providing.

Some funny things from the week

This week a few funny things have come accross me as I've dealt with international customers seeking engines:

The first was from a Belgian man who sent me a very long email, asking many detailed questions for his 1999 Ford Pony. I think he meant Mustang...

The second is dealing with the agent of a guy in Russia who bought a 2005 Infiniti QX56 engine from me.

The phone convo went something like:
Me: "lowmileage engines..."
Him" "I buy engine for Victor."
Me: "You're his broker?"
Him: "Is that what I am? Broker?" (laughs evilly)
Me: "OK. What's your ebay member name?"
Him: "Ballzbuster"

No joke, I think his client is in the Russian mob. I mean, who in Russia can afford new infinitis besides the mob? AND WHO HAS THAT KIND OF EBAY NAME?

The F-250

Today, I bought an F-250 that needs an engine. I bought it dirt cheap. I have been praying "God, help me to buy cars cheap and sell them for a good profit."

Well, he sure helped me buy it cheap. The lot I bought it from told me, "I've never taken this big of a loss on a vehicle." I then talked him down several hundred. I'm talking I paid hundreds for a vehicle worth close to $10,000, private party. Favor of God, I believe. He's helpin' me.

If you're wondering, this is the truck. The hood is off because the mechanic that worked on it sucked. It is in good condition. The body is in beautiful shape. It is a great truck. The guy had just ordered two wrong engines for it. Two wrong engines. Guess who knows how to get the right engine for it? :)

But, without the mechanic I'm partnering with, I definately couldn't do it. He's a great guy, and a great mechanic. Hopefully we can help each other make some cash!

Slow Day

You know, today must have been national "Do not buy an engine day." I had several customers that I thought I had sold yesterday call me today and let me know that they were going to pay me tomorrow. Ebay hits dropped off the charts, trending about 65% lower than this day last year (though our hits have been significantly higher other days this week than their 1 week, 4 week, and 52 week trends), and the phones just stopped wringing.

Oh well, we'll knock 'em out tomorrow.

In the meantime, be praying for a close friend of my dad's that I'm getting into some business with. He's going through a tough divorce. His wife cheated on him, so it's not one of those work it out things. It's chronic, and it ain't going away. I don't believe my friend knows the Lord, and he sure could use God's comfort right now. I'm praying for him a lot, 'believing for' him, and want to see God bring this guy into the fold and help him. If I never do any business with this guy, I want to see him whole.