MONEY MORAL DILEMMA. Should Janine profit from a Freecycle telly?

kalaika · 21 October 2009 at 9:41AM

As others have said, I'd let the colleague have the TV for nowt, but if they insisted on paying something I'd tell them to stick the £50 to their favourite charity.

At the end of the day, I'd still be in 'profit' as I'd still have a free TV sitting in my lounge.

I guess the really important question though, is where do I find friends like this that are willing to give away HD TVs in the first place? :rolleyes:

Grumpysally · 21 October 2009 at 9:47AM

I'd give it to my colleague at least then I'd have a clear conscience and still be keeping in with the freecycle ethos. There would be no guarantee that if I offered it on freecycle that it wouldn't end up on ebay anyway.

Or maybe take the money but offer half to the person who donated it to me in the first place.
( not sure if that would be breaking freecyle rules )

gemmaj · 21 October 2009 at 10:02AM

I think she would be within the law to sell it - BUT - she felt so good to get a nice TV for free when she needed one - she should pass on that feeling and luck to someone else!

My little girls main birthday present this year is coming from a freecycle type (rip off) site - a lovely Brio playtable - and I am full of thanks to the person who gave it to me. I have given stuff away before and would like to think it goes to someone who is really pleased to have AND use whatever it is, not to think "stupid girl, she is giving this away and its worth money, I'm going to sell it!". Stick to the spirit of it!

WRabbit · 21 October 2009 at 10:12AM

I'd give it to my colleague. I'd worry about taking money for it, what if it breaks down after a week?

I got it free so I'm not out of pocket. If they haven't paid me for it then I don't feel any responibility for how long it lasts!

If I was the colleague and was given it free I'd certainly make sure a box of chocolates/bottle of wine/bunch of flowers went to the giver as a thank you.

Insinuendo · 21 October 2009 at 10:16AM

Yes, take the £50 and donate it to a charity of Janine's ( or Archie's) choice. Then all parties in the transaction - (including the original donor, if they knew)- would think this is a fair outcome.

poohbear59 · 21 October 2009 at 11:07AM

Give it away on Freecycle/Freegle. Selling it is the same as theft! It was given in good faith and should then be given away again. All those who are making money out of things given away on Freecycle/freegle are stealing.

SWIND · 21 October 2009 at 11:42AM

Give it back or give it away and tell her friend about Freecycle- the more people know about it the better for everybody

BexInLondon · 21 October 2009 at 11:54AM

Definitely give it away! My OH and I have had a few bits off freecycle and a few more bits from relatives etc and we have made our own little vow never to sell on what we have been given for free. (NB doesn't apply to unwanted presents lol!!)

If the colleague isn't a "deserving recipient", whatever that means, then I'd definitely bung it back on freecycle. Or donate to a local charity. The charity I work for would bite your hand off for a TV!

miss_money_pig · 21 October 2009 at 11:56AM

Personally I would pass it on to a friend freely and be happy to be in a position to do so. I'm not a huge fan of the mercenary types profiteering on freecycle. Which is why I only give to friends or someone I know that is in need.

RuthnJasper · 21 October 2009 at 12:07PM

I would happily give the old TV to the work colleague for free. Their gratitude would be reward enough for me and I'd have a clear conscience!

MONEY MORAL DILEMMA. Should Janine profit from a Freecycle telly?

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