Money Moral Dilemma: Should we sell our child's unwanted gifts?

Fujiko

Donating items to a charity shop may make you feel good, and obviously the charity would benefit but just remember a lot of people buy from these shops and then sell the items on Ebay often making a good profit Just watch the Antiques Roadshow! I think it would be more sensible to sell the unwanted toys yourself, buy your child something they really would enjoy, and if you still feel guilty make a donation direct to your chosen charity.

Pollycat

Fujiko wrote: »

Donating items to a charity shop may make you feel good, and obviously the charity would benefit but just remember a lot of people buy from these shops and then sell the items on Ebay often making a good profit Just watch the Antiques Roadshow! I think it would be more sensible to sell the unwanted toys yourself, buy your child something they really would enjoy, and if you still feel guilty make a donation direct to your chosen charity.

But the charity still benefits because they have sold goods that have cost them nothing.
And a lot of charity shops now also sell items on ebay, they are a lot more clued up about how much donated items are worth than they used to be.

Wizzbang

MSE_Nick wrote: »

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...

My child was given some toys by family friends whose kids had outgrown them. She doesn’t really play with them and we’re trying to declutter the house so want them gone. Some of them could fetch £10 or so on Facebay and we don’t feel we should make that money – should we give it to our friends?

If you haven’t already, join the forum to reply!

[threadbanner]box[/threadbanner]

I don't see the dilemma here. The post states that these items were given and not lent, so I don't know why you are asking. A gift is something freely given with no terms or conditions attached. Once you own an item, you are free to do whatever you like with it. Obviously it's nice if you dispose of your unwanted possession responsibly- better that they go to charity than in the dustbin, for example.

It seems like your quandary is more about the fact that you want to declutter the house. If these really are your child's toys and they are old enough to understand, then you should allow them the choice of what happens to them. If they have too many toys, then you could state that you will be allowing them to keep 1 toy box full- so that way they need to make some tough choices. Give her the choice about what happens to each item, maybe have 2 boxes- sell or donate and explain the consequences of each action. That way you are teaching them something and later if anyone asks what has happened to the toys, if you wish to tell them (which you are not obliged to do), you could say that your child decided to sell them, or give them away.

I often as a child (well, teenager) used to sell Christmas presents I didn't want (or ask for) and use the proceeds to buy the ones that I did. If people couldn't bothered to follow or ask for a list, that wasn't my problem. I would advise you read this guide and peruse the rest of this site- food for thought. http://www.becomingminimalist.com/unwrap-clutterfree/

At the end of the day, I don't see how the people that gave them could be that bothered. Their children obviously didn't want these toys anymore and they wanted them out of their house. It was their choice to give them away and not sell them; you are not responsible for their actions, neither are you forever indebted to them, neither are you obliged to copy them. You certainly don't owe them anything in monetary terms!

tallgirld

Sell them and buy something your child will actually use. Alternatively give them to charity.

Kynthia

As some others have said, these weren't normal gifts but a generous gesture by someone who could have sold them themselves. I have no problem selling gifts, but if someone donates something that has potential value I think it's polite to offer it back when you're done. They might sell it, donate to another friend or ask you to donate the items to someone else who would get use from them. It's possible they can't be bothered and are happy with you doing as you wish with the items.

proteus3000

You received free, give free.
If you don't know another family who would benefit then use Freegle or charity shop.

jackyann

What interests me is the we divide into 2 camps on the motive behind the gift!
Some think it was "a generous gesture" and others think the donors "just wanted the items out of the house".
Whilst in principle a gift is "freely given", some of us obviously feel that there are unwritten rules around such a gift (ie: not a birthday / Xmas / special occasion gift)

Ebenezer_Screwj

These items belong to your household, you would merely be converting a gift into cash, so do it

happyinflorida

I'd ask your friends/family first as they may be upset if you do this and you don't want to cause any upset I'm sure!

If they don't mind, then sell them.

Jagraf

Ebenezer_Screwj wrote: »

These items belong to your household, you would merely be converting a gift into cash, so do it

Exactly. I'm note sure why it would affect the people who gave them away lol. It makes no difference to them what you do with it.

Morally, I'm sure there are much bigger issues to deal with than what you do with a bunch of plastic toys.