Annie’s Mailbox: Apologize for reneged sale

Dear Annie: For several months, my manicurist and I discussed her purchasing my husband’s old car when he buys a new one.

The day after my husband bought our new car, I called my manicurist to see if she was still interested in the old one. She said yes and that she would try to come see it that weekend. I told her there was no hurry, but we would need to close the deal within the next two weeks, as I was going into the hospital.

The next morning, my neighbor came over to ask what we wanted for the car. I told him the price but also said my manicurist was interested in the car and that she would be looking at it over the weekend. I promised to keep him posted.

Friday night, I called my manicurist at work and left a message telling her when we’d be home and to feel free to stop by. Saturday came, and I didn’t hear from her, so late that afternoon I called again and left another message, saying someone else was interested in the car, but I would hold it until Monday noon.

By Monday noon, I still had not heard from her, so my husband sold the car to the neighbor. Wednesday, I got a call from my manicurist saying she just heard my messages because her son had been in the hospital for emergency surgery. She asked whether we had sold the car. I told her we had, and she was very angry. She said I had promised it to her. I apologized but said my husband didn’t want to continue paying insurance on it. She hung up in a huff and has not returned my call for an appointment.

Where did I go wrong? – Dumped by a Manicurist in Bay City

Dear Dumped: You told the manicurist there was “no hurry,” but you wanted to sell within two weeks. By our count, you gave her about seven days. If your neighbor had not come by, the car likely still would have been there on Wednesday. We think you owe your manicurist a major apology, and if you want her to keep doing your nails, stop by with a nice gift as a way of making amends.

Dear Annie: This is for “Dan,” who has chronic pain and is often angry. If he is on pain medication, he may have a tendency to become angry when it wears off and he loses that high. Dan might want to investigate a spinal cord stimulator.

I have had severe pain since I broke my back years ago. When you come off the pills, you have a tough time controlling your feelings. The spinal cord stimulator short-circuits the nerve in sending pain signals to the brain. It has given me my life back. – I.B.

Dear I.B.: Spinal cord stimulators are not for everyone, and there are risks involved. Chronic pain patients should discuss this treatment option with their doctors.