Yeah, his "Inefficient, but Smart" argument doesn't seem smart, it seems painstakingly luck-based. In the US, we used to call this "knowing a guy" or "fallen o

Yeah, his "Inefficient, but Smart" argument doesn't seem smart, it seems painstakingly luck-based. In the US, we used to call this "knowing a guy" or "fallen off a truck" purchasing. It's highly inefficient, super unpredictable (in both cost, delivery time, quality, etc), and is highly inequitable. (What if you don't know a guy? What if your guy doesn't like you?). Your Craigslist description is a perfect example of this from the buyers side too -- sometimes you find a great deal, but sometimes the seller is crazy and threatens you with physical violence, or raises the prices after you already agreed and arranged to pick it up, or sometimes they sell you something with bedbugs in it. This style of purchasing "works" if you are a wealthy expat with tons of time to play with (as a StrongTowns blogger living in Ecuador would be). But it sure doesn't seem "Smart" in any way.