MONEY MORAL DILEMMA: Should Madge flog Harold’s stuff on eBay?

mr_blue_3

How about if Madge took some of the items and sold them to another neighbour, who hadn't seen Harolds pile, for a large sum? Or if she took stuff and sold it in her antique shop? And Harold passed by and saw it in the display at a huge price? Is that any different to selling on ebay and keeping the profits?
To take advantage of someone's generosity in this way is wrong, she'd lose the friendship of a neighbour at least.
I'd go to Harold's and discuss the possibilities. Who knows, he may have a stash of other valuables which we could both profit from!

bye_bye_band_G

I've already said I think Madge should offer to ebay them on Harold's behalf.
Not only that, but she should invite him round for a coffee to watch the last 30 minutes of his auctions, watching the last minute bids roll in would be good fun and maybe even exciting. (Nearly all bids come at the end of the time).
Hey presto, a new friend.

Psykicpup

I think that as this is a neighbour, Madge should mention to him that some items would sell on Ebay & maybe offer to help him do so if he is interested. It would give him chance to mention his intentions as to why it was put out & whether he would mind if she took them to sell & if profits to be shared. It maybe that he didnt realise the value or doesnt know how to Ebay, then again he may just want his neighbours to have a little something from him withlittle effort on his part (or risk offending someone by offering them the item)
I think this is very different from finding things in a skip or charity shop.

juliaw

Just a minute. Madge thinks she would make a killing on ebay, but she might not even cover her expenses.

To make the stuff legally hers, she should give Harold some money, however little.

I once forced £5 on a neighbour for a desk she was throwing out anyway. Then she took the huff because after many hours of work, I made the desk look good and used it.

So I think that whatever Madge does she might offend Harold, who may quickly forget that it was once rubbish to him.

donna1987

i agree with what alot of people have said in that she should let him know first, then if he isn't interested-fair enough.
one thing id like to ask is,if it was your mum/dad/brother/sister/son/daughter giving stuff away, would u take the stuff and sell it to make a profit for yourself??? i think most people wouldnt. you've got to remember everyone is somebodys loved-one and you wouldnt be happy if someone did it to someone close to you.
imagine if your mum or dads neighbour took something they'd offered them because your mum/dad didnt know how much it was worth, they did know and went and sold it, you come round and the neighbours has got some flashy new stuff with the profits, then you realise that your parents gave them that antique that was in the corner-you'd want to kill them for taking advantage of your parents ignorance wouldnt you???

donna1987

also, the neighbour has put these things out for people who want them to take. if madge's intention is to sell them-she doesnt want them, therefore should not take them, leave them for someone else who will use them if he isnt interested in selling them

Lady_E

bye_bye_band_G wrote:

I've already said I think Madge should offer to ebay them on Harold's behalf.
Not only that, but she should invite him round for a coffee to watch the last 30 minutes of his auctions, watching the last minute bids roll in would be good fun and maybe even exciting. (Nearly all bids come at the end of the time).
Hey presto, a new friend.

What a lovely idea, that would be splendid fun for Harold and all conscience clear.
Wouldnt mind you being my neighbour bye bye band G :rotfl:

pennies_from_heaven_2

problemsolver wrote:

Be the good neighbour. Let's use our knowledge to help our friends and neighbours. Give our neighbour / local charity shop a hefty whack of the proceeds. Rather than taking advantage of our friends and neighbours, let's help them out - it's what living in a community / our society is all about.

Not all benefits are monetary, we might make ourselves a few good friends - and next time they want to get rid of stuff - they'll ask for our help - and before we know it we've got a nice little business going.

Just because there's no law against ripping your neighbour off - it doesnt make it right.

yes i too agree with problem solver what harm would it do to advise your neighbour, you never know he may just say to you i cant be bothered with the mithor your welccome to it.
there are so many greedy people about that i beleive in sharing knowledge you never know what peoples circumstances are. look at how moneysaving.com has expanded and that i think has been a lot through word of mouth.
the old saying give a little happiness and you get lots back.
or what goes round comes round!!

keep saving

Shiggaddi

I'd put an advert up in Scott's newsagent, next to the dodgy photography advert from Charlene, advertising all the stuff!! This would avoid putting it on ebay, and having ebay taking a large chunk of the profits, and having to pay for postage.

pollyg40

Hi

I think it would be fine for Madge to sell Harolds unwanted things on Ebay. But it would be nice to think that if she did manage to sell anything that afterwards lshe would let him know what she did and offer to let him have half the money or offer to donate it to a charity of his choice. That way they will both have got something from it.