Money Moral Dilemma: Is it OK if I choose to sell something to a woman rather than a man?

MSE_Kelvin

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

I've £100 worth of laminate flooring that I've put up for sale online cheaply to get rid of. As the buyer will have to collect, and I'm a woman who lives alone, I've been reluctant to accept any of the offers I've had as they're all from men. I said to a friend that I hoped a woman would make an offer, even if it was lower, as I'd feel safer dealing with them, but my friend said that's unfair and I should sell to the first person who offered the asking price. Should I wait for an offer from someone I'm comfortable giving my address to or do as my friend says?

Unfortunately the MSE team can't answer Money Moral Dilemma questions as contributions are emailed in or suggested in person. They are intended to be a point of debate and discussed at face value. Remember that behind each dilemma there is a real person so, as the forum rules say, please keep it kind and keep it clean.

If you haven’t already, join the forum to reply.
Got a Money Moral Dilemma of your own? Suggest an MMD.

Miser1964

TBH, I don't sell anything on collection even in the buyer asks. Too many downsides from scams let alone security. 

mebu60

Can you have someone else there when the buyer comes to collect? 

McKneff

It's your item. 
You can sell it to whoever you want. 

soolin

I don’t see how you can limit this to a woman buying? OK you might try by guessing from the name, but even if a female buys it they might send someone else to collect.

bluelad1927

You'll probably end up selling it to a woman who will then send her husband round to collect it

Amblewin

Unlikely to guarantee that a woman will collect, even if she requests the item. I always say "we live" rather than "I live" when giving a buyer my address.  Never give the impression that you live alone. Also state in your advert that you only accept cash and not PayPal, or bank transfers.  So many scammers ask to pay in that way.  High value items need to be sold on an auction site to protect the payment. Ask someone to be with you at agreed collection time.

Obird63

I would suggest getting someone to come round to your place when a prospective buyer is due to visit. Or, if the object is simply to get rid of it and you aren't that bothered about the money, why don't you just donate it to a charity? That way, anyone who comes round to get it will at least have been vetted... 

nev.obrady

You're OK to sell to whom you feel comfortable 

shaz-deco

soolin said:

I don’t see how you can limit this to a woman buying? OK you might try by guessing from the name, but even if a female buys it they might send someone else to collect.

Agree, i sold online a few times and had a woman send her hubby and vice versa. If you are concerned the best bet is to have someone round when they call. Is there a trusted neighbour you could ask to be around?

keithyno.1

Absolutely you're OK to sell it to whoever you want to, whether they're female, male, transgender, non-binary or whatever! 

As for your friend saying selling it only to a female is "unfair," well what's it got to do with her/him anyway? It's your stuff to sell, not theirs. If it was me I really would be tempted to tell her/him to mind their own business and stop sticking her/his nose into other people's.