How One HOA “Karen” Got Petty Revenge Delivered—By Mail: The Catalog Conundrum
There’s something about condo living that brings out the characters. Maybe it’s the high-rise altitude, or maybe it’s just the proximity to other people’s business, but every building seems to have that one person who thinks the HOA stands for “Head Over All.” And when you mix money, power, and a dash of unchecked pettiness? Well, you get a Karen with enough drama to fill a soap opera—and enough enemies to fill a mailroom.
Recently, Reddit user u/Appropriate_Elk2654 shared a story that’s equal parts cautionary tale and comedic gold. Imagine: You’re new on the job, trying to keep the peace in a tony downtown condo, only to find yourself caught in the crosshairs of the building’s self-appointed queen bee. Spoiler alert: it does not end with a handshake and a fruit basket.
Let’s set the scene: our intrepid new concierge/security guard is just six shifts into the gig when they encounter the HOA president—a woman whose penchant for trash talk rivals even the best reality TV villains. She’s the type who’ll smile sweetly to your face, then roast you to a crisp the moment you turn your back. She’s got a divorce story she’s told so many times it probably has its own theme music, and her dog? Let’s just say it would be top dog in a canine Fight Club.
But the real kicker? This HOA president is a control enthusiast. She’s set up two-factor authentication on every app in the security system, knows when someone so much as sneezes near the lobby computer, and has a sixth sense for assigning blame—especially if there’s a scapegoat handy.
The Fatal Glitch
On the night in question, the building’s 24 new HD security cameras (that’s 24/7 footage times 24, for those keeping score) have pushed the poor lobby computer to the brink of digital exhaustion. Chrome tabs crash. Logins glitch. Our hero, following protocol, locks the screen while on patrol—and returns to find the virtual equivalent of a nuclear meltdown. The HOA president swoops in, helpfully (read: condescendingly) explaining how to avoid the issue next time, but when it happens again, the writing’s on the wall. Six hours later, HR calls: “Don’t come back.”
Revenge, Signed, Sealed, Delivered
Now, most of us would stew, maybe rant to a friend, and move on. But not u/Appropriate_Elk2654. They channel their inner Loki, embarking on a campaign of…wait for it…free catalog sign-ups. Sixty and counting. For the uninitiated, this is the digital era’s answer to glitter bombs and prank calls—a relentless, never-ending stream of mail-order catalogs, all addressed to the Queen of Condos herself.
Picture it: every day, a new glossy stack of unsolicited reading material dropping on her doorstep. Gardening supplies. Cheese-of-the-month clubs. Llama enthusiast magazines. If it has a mailing list, she’s about to get it.
Petty? Absolutely. Genius? Also yes. There’s something poetic about matching a minor injustice with a minor inconvenience—especially when said inconvenience will slowly overtake the mailbox, the recycling bin, and, if we’re lucky, her patience.
Power, Petty, and Perspective
What makes this tale so delicious isn’t just the revenge (though we’re all secretly rooting for every catalog to arrive). It’s the way it highlights the quirks of power. The HOA president wields her tiny fiefdom like a scepter, dispensing judgments and making life difficult for those beneath her—until, of course, the universe (or in this case, the internet) serves up a taste of her own medicine.
And let’s be honest: while workplace drama is nothing new, there’s something universally satisfying about seeing someone stand up to a bully, even if it’s with a stack of mail-order furniture brochures.
Maybe it’s a reminder that the little things matter—that kindness counts, even (especially!) when you’re in a position of authority. Or maybe it’s just a hilarious example of how creative you can get when you’ve got time, internet access, and a grudge to nurse.
The Moral (and the Mail)
So, next time you’re tempted to wield your small slice of power like a sledgehammer, remember: every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Sometimes, that reaction is a mailbox overflowing with cat sweater catalogs.
Have you ever gotten even with a “Karen” in your life? Or do you have your own tales of workplace drama and petty revenge? Drop your stories in the comments—because if there’s one thing we all love more than a good revenge story, it’s knowing we’re not alone in the struggle.
And to the Queen of Condos: may your mailbox be ever full, and your Chrome tabs never recover.
Have a revenge story that tops this one? Share it below—or let us know what catalog you’d send to your nemesis!
Original Reddit Post: Money+Power=Karen