The marketplace is a jungle. The prey is your time. The predator is a "lightly used" anything within 40 miles that "just needs a little work."

"Runs great, just needs..." It needs more than it runs. It needs a trailer, a prayer, and a friend with a truck who owes you a favor.

"Easy fix." Easy for who? The person selling it? They've had three years to easy-fix it. They chose freedom instead.

"Priced to sell." Priced to become your problem.

"Must pick up today." Must escape today. Before you ask questions.

"As-is, no lowballers." Translation: I know what I have. You do not know what you have. Good luck.

"Garage kept." Kept in a garage that also keeps raccoons, moisture, and regret.

"Perfect for a project." You are the project now.

"My loss, your gain." Mutual loss. Shared confusion. Bonding experience.

And yet — and yet — the dad will go. The dad will haggle. The dad will strap it to the trailer, slap the strap twice, and drive home convinced he saved thousands.

Because sometimes the marketplace delivers a gem. Sometimes that "easy fix" becomes the best project you ever finished. Sometimes good enough saves thousands and the only cost was a terrifying listing description.

Squint at the listing. Squint at the purchase. If you squint, it's mint.