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Progress! We liked the mover we met yesterday and hope to work with him. Although we’re not thrilled with our apartment agent (to put it mildly), we are at least making progress. We sign 30 September and will have the keys in our hands.
It’s not easy finding unfurnished apartments here. When we looked at the apartment in Córdoba, there were just a few small pieces of furniture around. Night tables, chest of drawers, kitchen table and chairs. And a piano. The agent told us everything would be removed unless we wanted to keep anything. San Geraldo loved the idea of the piano. It would be our 6th in our years together, but we agreed to have them take it away. He never plays and they take up space. We even bought a new one for our current apartment and ended up giving it away. Besides this particular piano is not one we would have chosen.
The next day, the agent wrote and told me to confirm everything would be removed, but the piano stays. I said, no, the apartment was advertised as unfurnished and she told us anything we didn’t want would be removed. She had the balls (excuse me, the nerve) to tell me I said we wanted the piano. I had very clearly said we did not. She nattered and I argued, on WhatsApp and then on the phone.
She first told me the piano had sentimental value. I asked, then why would the owner leave it to strangers. She meant it had no sentimental value and we could do what we want with it, but removing it was too expensive for the owner. The more we talked, the more versions she told. SG and I almost pulled our offer until we agreed we really liked the apartment and, if we could do what we want with the piano, we could restore it (SG had inspected the works and they had already been restored) or smash it to bits and haul it down ourselves in one of our too-small elevators. So, we moved on. I explained to the agent I was more upset that the story had changed so many times than by the piano itself. If we make it to the signing, we will have our 6th piano.
The agent gives me agita. Other than that, I’m excited. We could be in our new home mid-October. Today’s photos are of yesterday’s sunrise (late) and the Jardines de la Agricultura (Agricultural Gardens) in Córdoba.
¡Progreso! Nos gustó el mudanzador que conocimos ayer y esperamos trabajar con él. Aunque no estamos muy contentos con nuestro agente de apartamentos (por decirlo suavemente), al menos estamos haciendo progresos. Firmamos el 30 de septiembre y tendremos las llaves en nuestras manos.
No es fácil encontrar apartamentos sin amueblar aquí. Cuando vimos el apartamento en Córdoba, solo había unos pocos muebles pequeños: mesitas de noche, cómoda, mesa de cocina y sillas. Y un piano. El agente nos dijo que se llevarían todo a menos que quisiéramos quedarnos con algo. A San Geraldo le encantó la idea del piano. Sería el sexto en nuestros años juntos, pero acordamos que se lo llevaran. Él nunca toca y ocupan espacio. Incluso compramos uno nuevo para nuestro apartamento actual y terminamos regalándolo. Además, este piano en particular no es uno que hubiéramos elegido.
Al día siguiente, la agente me escribió y me dijo para confirmar que todo se lo llevarían, pero el piano se quedaría. Le dije que no, el apartamento estaba anunciado como sin muebles y nos dijo que se llevaría todo lo que no quisiéramos. Tuvo el descaro (perdón, el descaro) de decirme que yo había dicho que queríamos el piano. Yo había dicho muy claramente que no. Ella parloteó y yo discutí, por WhatsApp y luego por teléfono.
Primero me dijo que el piano tenía valor sentimental. Le pregunté por qué el propietario se lo iba a dejar a desconocidos. Quería decir que no tenía valor sentimental y que podíamos hacer lo que quisiéramos con él, pero que quitarlo era demasiado caro para el propietario. Cuanto más hablábamos, más versiones contaba. SG y yo casi retiramos nuestra oferta hasta que acordamos que nos gustaba mucho el apartamento y que, si podíamos hacer lo que quisiéramos con el piano, podríamos restaurarlo (SG había inspeccionado las obras y ya estaban restauradas) o destrozarlo y bajarlo nosotros mismos en uno de nuestros ascensores demasiado pequeños. Así que seguimos adelante. Le expliqué al agente que estaba más molesto por que la historia hubiera cambiado tantas veces que por el piano en sí. Si llegamos a la firma, tendremos nuestro sexto piano.
El agente me da nervios. Aparte de eso, estoy emocionada. Podríamos estar en nuestra nueva casa a mediados de octubre. Las fotos de hoy son del amanecer de ayer (tarde) y de los Jardines de la Agricultura en Córdoba.
Click the thumbnails to enlarge.
Haz clic en las miniaturas para ampliar.
The gardens in Cordoba are simply stunning! Shame you have a shit agent – I would have told her to shove the piano up her arse, quite frankly. Jx
Jon:
Oh, I came close. (SG really wanted to.)
It should have been advertised as a “Furnished with Piano” apartment and then there’s be no dispute.
Luckily this is all moving along quickly so you won’t have to deal with this woman much longer.
Bob^^^^
Bob:
Yes, furnished with piano. Truth in advertising. She’s gotten worse. Glad we’re closing soon. 8 more days.
That piano isn’t creating very sweet music so far!
Debra:
I sure hope it can be tuned.
So is there going to be a piano falling out of a window on an unlucky passerby? Boud wonders.
Boud:
I would never just toss it out on a stranger.
If memory serves me (fat chance) there is a story of a sofa that wouldn’t fit in the elevator, going out in pieces.
David:
Your memory serves you well. And the neighbor thought we cut it up to move it in! SG and I were just talking about that.
Sounds like the agent is not to be trusted as to her word. No problem, though! You and SG can have rousing parties where there is much singing and piano playing! I can see it now. Christmas will be especially cheerful in Cordoba.
I love the idea that you are so close to a botanical garden. That sounds like heaven.
Ms. Moon
Moonsigh:
The agent knows little and talks a lot. Not a good mix. However, I sent 3 very simple (and non-threatening) questions Thursday. She hasn’t had time to answer… but she had the time to tell me she hasn’t had time to answer, which is how long it would take to answer the questions. There are parks and gardens all over the city. Just 3 minutes away from us are the Gardens of the Merced. Beautiful. I’ll get photos soon.
Ugh. What a pain. Hopefully you can give it away, though I think pianos in general are not in high demand these days (electronic keyboards being as light and mobile as they are). I’d sure get something in writing saying you can dispose of it, though. That agent’s probably saying anything she can to get you to sign, and you wouldn’t want the landlord to come back on you for getting rid of it.
Steve:
The piano we bought in Fuengirola was electronic. Great for apartment living, but we finally gave it away. You’re right about getting the piano agreement in writing, and we will. The agent speaks without thinking and clearly doesn’t know what she’s doing. I think she’s low person on the totem pole because rentals aren’t big money for the agency.
What a creep. People these days won’t even take free pianos (that used to be SO EXPENSIVE), because they cost hundreds of dollars to move… must be even worse when they are in an apartment building. You know all of this, of course.
We’re all learning, these days, that lying and cheating and committing crimes (so long thought to be the death knoll to anyone wanting to be hired, etc.), are just something we have to live with, and there is little we can do about it. (end of veiled political commentary)
Judy C:
This agent is clearly inexperienced. She can’t answer the most basic of questions… so she answers AROUND everything we ask. Just like many politicians.
Never a dull moment, eh!?
Hang in there…..the apartments sounds perfect for you two/and two kitties.
Jim:
Very excited about the apartment. SG would like to snap his fingers and be there.
Where I live, it can be a challenge to find anyone who can tune one. The man I used would drive from another part of the state and spend a day or two here tuning quite a few pianos, but he died a few years ago. I haven’t had mine tuned since then!
Kelly:
Fortunately, Córdoba has a professional musical school (around the corner from us) and a large music school at the university. I’m sure we can find someone to tune your piano. All you need is the airfare.
I always say, “There are no mistakes in the Universe. Everything is meant to be what it is”. So, that old piano might be a gift. I’ve seen old pianos turned into dining tables, wine bars, desks, plant stands. There are multiple ways to turn that lemon into lemonade but, because of talking out of both sides of her mouth, I still wouldn’t give your agent flowers, candy, a bottle of wine at the end as a thank you.
Shirley:
I’m not a believer in “everything happens for a reason” but I do believe great surprises come when things aren‘t planned. We’ll enjoy the piano. We won’t enjoy the agent.
I bet the agent made some kind of agreement with the management of the apartment building that they wouldn’t have to remove the piano. She probably got a bigger commission or whatever out of it.
Kirk:
It’s just between the agent and the apartment owner. And the agent didn’t know what she was talking about when she told us the piano would be removed. Sadly for her, the commission doesn’t get any better — nor does her reputation.
I love. Promenade around. Garden xx
finlaygray:
I am so looking forward to promenading.
Ah the joys of moving and dealing with agents. I am sure you want to buy her cement shoes from Louboutin.
Laurent:
I would waste a pair of Louboutin’s. Imitation Crocs will do just fine.
I shall miss the beautiful seascape photos when you move, but wish you an easy transfer and a happy time in your new place…..piano or not!!
Frances:
I have no clue what goes on with WordPress and Blogger and anonymity and spam. They’re fickle. I will make sure to share differently picturesque photos from our new home. Thanks!
Do either of you play piano? What about posting an ad for free piano? Maybe someone will want it? I bought an upright school piano at an auction once for $150.00 I was dating and living with another man at the time. When we broke up, I left the piano because I had no way to move it across state. Also, he played and I didn’t. But it was MY piano and I still hate I had to leave it there. LOL.
Sassybear:
SG plays piano beautifully, but hates to play in front of anyone. I learned a few songs here and there (chopsticks, heart and soul, summertime is here again) so won’t be performing at Carnegie Hall. You need to come to Córdoba and play a Spanish piano.
Poor pianos. Once upon a time it was a sign of a cultured household.
Now nobody wants them you can’t give them away.
I hear tell they are heaped up in piles
Urspo:
I didn’t know that about pianos. I thought we were outliers.
Don’t smash the piano! It deserves to be played. If Gerry doesn’t ever get around to playing, then you’ll find someone who will enjoy it. I cherish my piano.
Love,
Janie
janiejunebug:
We won’t smash it. Maybe SG will even play it.
Don’t know why my comment above …” beautiful seascape etc” is anonymous. It was me, Frances. Can’t see a way to be un anonymous…..always worked OK before!
Anonymous Frances:
I wish I knew. Thanks for letting me know it was you!