Once more unto the breach...

TripleH

eBay to me is a hobby but it is also there to try and get rid of stuff I no longer want / have 'inherited from relatives' and don't want. Yes I have had items that haven't sold so I have given them to charity shops, I don't mind if someone else has better success and makes money from them (or in fact other things I list on eBay) good luck to them.

I agree with the above stories whereby it seems there is more effort and hassle when you are giving something away 'for free' than when you 'give something away for money' which is daft. As mentioned above, I had patience at the start but now sadly I don't. If something is being given away for free I'm sorry but people collecting must dance to my tune (I am still reasonable and flexible about this).

Over the years, items sold on eBay and collected in person have rarely been any hassle (maybe because people are paying money?).

On the subject of hording, my dad's mother had a large guest house that took a year to clear (compulsive hoarder), fortunately my mum constrained my dad's desire to do this, but still a lot to clear out.

Ho hum another day another penny

BargainJunky

I find that if you advertise something for free you get loads of timewasters or demanding people yet if you try to sell for a couple of pounds people rarely let you down and are normally polite and grateful.


In the past I gave a car seat away and they messed me around big time then got stoppy when I told them they could not collect at a certain time as it was right in the middle of the kids bedtime. In the end I left it on the step they collected it and never even bothered to aend a thank you message.

walwyn1978

BargainJunky wrote: »

I find that if you advertise something for free you get loads of timewasters or demanding people yet if you try to sell for a couple of pounds people rarely let you down and are normally polite and grateful.


In the past I gave a car seat away and they messed me around big time then got stoppy when I told them they could not collect at a certain time as it was right in the middle of the kids bedtime. In the end I left it on the step they collected it and never even bothered to aend a thank you message.

My experience too, particularly with Facebook Marketplace. Put an item on for free: missed collections, random strings of messages, no shows and complaints about me not ‘reserving’ it for them after I’ve said something like: ‘two people have already contacted me about this, if they change their mind I’ll offer it to you’.

One example that sticks in my mind is when I put on a job lot of children’s wellies: 6 pairs of various sizes, all used by my children who had grown out of them. Put on for free: lots of arrangements to collect but let down, a message asking what my policy on returns was (!) etc etc. Still here two weeks later. Changed literally one thing in the ad: the price: £10 the lot: gone within 24 hours.

soolin

I have 2 'paid for' and one 'free' collection today, let's see what happens this time.

BargainJunky

soolin wrote: »

I have 2 'paid for' and one 'free' collection today, let's see what happens this time.

My bet is the 'paid for' turn up and the 'free' no shows.


In an ideal world all will turn up and the 'free' will bring you a box of chocolates or bottle of wine as a thank you.

soolin

BargainJunky wrote: »

My bet is the 'paid for' turn up and the 'free' no shows.


In an ideal world all will turn up and the 'free' will bring you a box of chocolates or bottle of wine as a thank you.

Both the paid for items have gone as arranged, the free stuff isn't due for collection until later, so fingers crossed.

soolin

Person collecting the free items was due at 7am, it's now 8.10 and there's no sign of him nor have I had any messages.

Off to the charity shop on Friday then this lot goes.

The good news is that I'm now down to about 2 car loads of stuff left in the big storage room, I can give notice on Friday and that will save me about £1200 a year on storage fees.

BargainJunky

Sadly I think if you offer something for 'free' people think there is something up with it. How wrong they are!

soolin

Sorry to keep updating this but I had another strange one this morning.

I offered a large collection of bits, mainly DVDs, CD,s a little household stuff and someone asked for the lot. I know they are a car booter but that doesn't worry me.

3 failed attempts and I was about ready to charity shop it and I got a message this morning saying she was on her way- She arrived on foot with no bags, apparently she shares a car with another car booter and they are off to an early morning car boot tomorrow so car is being packed. She complained she had no way of carrying the stuff that I had boxed up (as shown in photos) and did I have bags, I left her in the front porch while I found some black sacks and when I went back she was happily packing things into my expensive Seasalt Jute bags I leave in the porch for my own shopping! I told her she can't just help herself to my bags and she seemed really put out I wouldn't let her walk away with several nearly new Jute bags- and left bitterly complaining that the black sacks were hard to carry and she didn't know how she was going to walk round to her friend's house with them!

what cheek

perfect10

I hate Facebook marketplace, just full of people wanting things for nothing, everything I listed got responses of 'will you take x amount' (usually half the asking price or less)' I always responded 'no' to which I then got a load of abuse for.
My daughter recently gave something away on there for it then to be advertised for £100 On the same site the following day!
I will stick to eBay and charity shops!