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Original poster

I am NEVER giving anything away again.

400 replies

Ohjakestopbeingatwat · 21/08/2025 15:06

I’ve had it now with giving things away. I think I am just a twat magnet.

I put the children’s old wooden play market/kitchen thing up on Facebook, for free.

I put up photos and was very honest that it needs two new screws/wood glue as they have come loose and can’t be tightened, some of the paintwork is chipped, but if someone wants it, it would make a great up cycle project. If no one wanted it, it would go to the tip. But you know, it’s free and I know lots of people like a project.

Someone immediately said she wanted it and sent her husband to collect it a while later.

Then, all hell broke loose. She messaged me saying it was in a terrible state, the paint was chipped, the screws needed replacing - no shit Sherlock. That was the actual description.

She demanded that I come and pick it up. No. She kept on and on until I had to block her.

Half an hour later, her husband turned up again and threw it on my driveway, smashing it. So now, no one can have it to do up and it will have to go to the tip.

This isn’t the first time I’ve had shit like this. I don’t know how I attract these people. So never again. It’s the charity shop, or the tip.

OP posts:
StrokeRecovery25 · 22/08/2025 12:03

SummerInSun · 21/08/2025 15:19

I know you were trying to do a nice thing, but I think from the state you describe, you should just have taken it to the tip in the first place. People just don’t want stuff in such bad shape when you can buy stuff pretty cheap new or very cheaply second hand in charity shops.

My view with stuff I need to get rid of is that if it isn’t in good enough condition for the charity shops, it goes in the recycling/ thrown away.

Rubbish, a good quality wooden play kitchen is a great find & project!!

Mydadsbirthday · 22/08/2025 12:24

MsJinks · 21/08/2025 22:51

I gave a cd rack and cd cupboard away - nice quality though old fashioned. Lovely couple came to fetch for, they begged via message, the old people’s home the wife worked at - long chat about being a carer and so happy to be able to make their rec room cosy for the old ones. I went and dug out all CDs and DVDs I thought may be suitable for older folk whilst they waited. I was pleased to think this is where the stuff went. I messaged a couple of months after to say matching TV cabinet was now available if they wanted it (free) and got the answer thanks but their house was now done so not needed, but the cd cabinet/racks looked great in their front room after decorating. Now I didn’t mind when advertising where the stuff went - but to spend an hour explaining where it wasn’t really going is perverse- especially when you later just forget the fibs you told in your desperation to get stuff!

This is insane 😂

SprayWhiteDung · 22/08/2025 14:55

I don't know why some charity shops are so extremely particular about what they take. Obviously, they don't want to be burdened with absolute rubbish that they will never sell, but some of them seem to only want as-new stock with no cosmetic imperfections whatsoever.

We have one near us - they're actually a really good charity and do a lot of good in the community with furniture-re-use, food bank, school uniform bank and general charity shop to raise more funds. Supposedly, with the furniture, they directly pass on the useful basics to folk who are referred to them who are struggling, leaving homelessness, otherwise vulnerable etc., and then the fancier furniture - such as oak dressers and enormous corner-suite sofas - is sold to raise funds for the project.

However, they have such a reputation for turning down so much objectively decent stuff, I've no idea who actually bothers to offer them things to sell. Once, before I realised how particular they were, they came out for four items of furniture that I offered them and they turned their noses up and refused three of them, but still asked me for a contribution to the diesel for their van!

AlexisP90 · 22/08/2025 15:36

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 22/08/2025 12:00

“OK Sheila - I’ll refund you 50% of what you paid for it!”

Show quote history

Exactly! Haha!

Kjpt140v · 22/08/2025 17:52

Ohjakestopbeingatwat · 21/08/2025 15:15

Oh, I’m not engaging with crazy. I’m not bringing any drama into my life!

Show quote history

Then why bother posting.

MustWeDoThis · 22/08/2025 17:52

Ohjakestopbeingatwat · 21/08/2025 15:06

I’ve had it now with giving things away. I think I am just a twat magnet.

I put the children’s old wooden play market/kitchen thing up on Facebook, for free.

I put up photos and was very honest that it needs two new screws/wood glue as they have come loose and can’t be tightened, some of the paintwork is chipped, but if someone wants it, it would make a great up cycle project. If no one wanted it, it would go to the tip. But you know, it’s free and I know lots of people like a project.

Someone immediately said she wanted it and sent her husband to collect it a while later.

Then, all hell broke loose. She messaged me saying it was in a terrible state, the paint was chipped, the screws needed replacing - no shit Sherlock. That was the actual description.

She demanded that I come and pick it up. No. She kept on and on until I had to block her.

Half an hour later, her husband turned up again and threw it on my driveway, smashing it. So now, no one can have it to do up and it will have to go to the tip.

This isn’t the first time I’ve had shit like this. I don’t know how I attract these people. So never again. It’s the charity shop, or the tip.

Except you can now report them to the police for harassment and intimidation, then to the local council for fly-tipping. Don't let them get away with it.

Someone2025 · 22/08/2025 18:00

Ohjakestopbeingatwat · 21/08/2025 15:06

I’ve had it now with giving things away. I think I am just a twat magnet.

I put the children’s old wooden play market/kitchen thing up on Facebook, for free.

I put up photos and was very honest that it needs two new screws/wood glue as they have come loose and can’t be tightened, some of the paintwork is chipped, but if someone wants it, it would make a great up cycle project. If no one wanted it, it would go to the tip. But you know, it’s free and I know lots of people like a project.

Someone immediately said she wanted it and sent her husband to collect it a while later.

Then, all hell broke loose. She messaged me saying it was in a terrible state, the paint was chipped, the screws needed replacing - no shit Sherlock. That was the actual description.

She demanded that I come and pick it up. No. She kept on and on until I had to block her.

Half an hour later, her husband turned up again and threw it on my driveway, smashing it. So now, no one can have it to do up and it will have to go to the tip.

This isn’t the first time I’ve had shit like this. I don’t know how I attract these people. So never again. It’s the charity shop, or the tip.

Honestly they both sound like pig ignorant idiots…..I suppose advertising things for free may attract a certain crowd, maybe to deter them you should put a small fee on the items

Original poster
Ohjakestopbeingatwat · 22/08/2025 18:08

Kjpt140v · 22/08/2025 17:52

Then why bother posting.

Show quote history

Quite right, silly me.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ohjakestopbeingatwat · 22/08/2025 18:11

MustWeDoThis · 22/08/2025 17:52

Except you can now report them to the police for harassment and intimidation, then to the local council for fly-tipping. Don't let them get away with it.

Show quote history

I have a police officer living in my house who watched it happen with me, believe me, no point in reporting anything like that!

(And yes, we saw him out the window after he slammed it onto the drive and got in his car to drive off, it made a racket, no one was about to go out and start screaming at him for it in the street).

OP posts:
anon666 · 22/08/2025 18:35

Yanbu

I notice people put things on for a nominal sum and that seems to help keep the nutcases away.

JennyBG · 22/08/2025 18:42

Ohjakestopbeingatwat · 21/08/2025 15:06

I’ve had it now with giving things away. I think I am just a twat magnet.

I put the children’s old wooden play market/kitchen thing up on Facebook, for free.

I put up photos and was very honest that it needs two new screws/wood glue as they have come loose and can’t be tightened, some of the paintwork is chipped, but if someone wants it, it would make a great up cycle project. If no one wanted it, it would go to the tip. But you know, it’s free and I know lots of people like a project.

Someone immediately said she wanted it and sent her husband to collect it a while later.

Then, all hell broke loose. She messaged me saying it was in a terrible state, the paint was chipped, the screws needed replacing - no shit Sherlock. That was the actual description.

She demanded that I come and pick it up. No. She kept on and on until I had to block her.

Half an hour later, her husband turned up again and threw it on my driveway, smashing it. So now, no one can have it to do up and it will have to go to the tip.

This isn’t the first time I’ve had shit like this. I don’t know how I attract these people. So never again. It’s the charity shop, or the tip.

Maybe a post in your local Facebook page, naming and shaming, will make her think twice about doing it again. It rather sounds as if her husband is rubbish at DIY if he can’t cope with a couple of missing screws lol 😂

OneMintWasp · 22/08/2025 18:46

I agree but then there are the gems. I put my old kitchen on for free. It was a 70s design that needed some work but for the right person would be a great project. I was tempted to do it myself but didn't have the time. A man came to collect it messaged me later and said they were for his sister. She has been in a violent relationship for 30 years, had finally broken free, got a flat which needed gutting and the units were exactly the same as her family home growing up which was the last time she felt safe and happy. He was too upset to tell me at the time but sent a photo some weeks later of her happy in her new kitchen ... how lovely 😍

Blablibladirladada · 22/08/2025 18:47

I hope you have ring.

2to5 · 22/08/2025 18:48

SummerInSun · 21/08/2025 15:19

I know you were trying to do a nice thing, but I think from the state you describe, you should just have taken it to the tip in the first place. People just don’t want stuff in such bad shape when you can buy stuff pretty cheap new or very cheaply second hand in charity shops.

My view with stuff I need to get rid of is that if it isn’t in good enough condition for the charity shops, it goes in the recycling/ thrown away.

I disagree here, I had nothing when I became a mother and spent hours cleaning other people's unwanted toys and household stuff to make it usable for myself and my children. If it wasn't free or cheap I couldn't have it. If I was lucky I would do a great job use it and then maybe get a bit of money for it to get me by. Not to make money as such but to get me by. Even though I am in a much better position now ( it was many years ago) I will always hunt down something that can be repaired or tidied up. It is satisfying and it taught my children that not everything needs to be new. For example I would rather get a toy of better quality that needs a clean up than a cheap tacky toy that I can afford new. I would rather get a solid oak table second hand and sand and wax it than a cheap table.
Nothing frustrates me more than a trip to the tip seeing good stuff be wasted because people don't realise that others could use it.
Please don't be put off by these people, you are right people do like a project and you are helping people stay away from the cheaper landfill stuff.
I sometimes put things at the end of my drive with a label saying free, this way people can choose to take it as it is. Maybe photograph it there and post that.
People being particular about what they have is fine but shouldnt be so snobby that they can't recognise people will need it and are happy to repair and clean things.

Festivespirit85 · 22/08/2025 18:56

Ohjakestopbeingatwat · 21/08/2025 15:06

I’ve had it now with giving things away. I think I am just a twat magnet.

I put the children’s old wooden play market/kitchen thing up on Facebook, for free.

I put up photos and was very honest that it needs two new screws/wood glue as they have come loose and can’t be tightened, some of the paintwork is chipped, but if someone wants it, it would make a great up cycle project. If no one wanted it, it would go to the tip. But you know, it’s free and I know lots of people like a project.

Someone immediately said she wanted it and sent her husband to collect it a while later.

Then, all hell broke loose. She messaged me saying it was in a terrible state, the paint was chipped, the screws needed replacing - no shit Sherlock. That was the actual description.

She demanded that I come and pick it up. No. She kept on and on until I had to block her.

Half an hour later, her husband turned up again and threw it on my driveway, smashing it. So now, no one can have it to do up and it will have to go to the tip.

This isn’t the first time I’ve had shit like this. I don’t know how I attract these people. So never again. It’s the charity shop, or the tip.

I bet she's on of those that just sees the word 'free' without reading anything else!
How rude they've broken it!

amillionandone · 22/08/2025 19:06

I'm happy to save something from the landfill and let people who need it get a lucky break, but fortunately I've never had trouble with just leaving things out by the road with a "free" sign. It's rare that someone won't want it.

It's a shame that there are people who are so stupid and low-down that they'd throw things into the road to prevent someone else using them, not to mention that they're creating a hazard for drivers.

Xwx1010 · 22/08/2025 19:07

when someone picks up the item I make sure they know of any faults and they are still happy to take it. The majority of people on Facebook marketplace don’t bother to read the description - the amount of times I’m asked where to pick up from when it’s in the listing!!
sorry this happened though some people are horrible.

Festivespirit85 · 22/08/2025 19:09

RavenPie · 21/08/2025 15:52

Facebook marketplace is the worst. I’ve had no end of shit (including pictures of crying kids and a feral cat that I’m “killing” for not driving an outdoor cathouse 150 miles) Free stuff definitely brings more crazy. Double it if it’s anything for kids and quadruple if it’s for animals. I no longer bother either. I put a desk out in front of my house and it went - a week later a woman turned up with chocolates and photos of her upcycling effort. If I’d put it on Facebook I would have been inundated with stupid questions, requests and threats.

This reminds me of when folk are posting things on FB for free or it's a competition to win something, and people comment with their cringe comments about why they need it/to win it 🤣

R0setheHat · 22/08/2025 19:10

Ohjakestopbeingatwat · 21/08/2025 15:06

I’ve had it now with giving things away. I think I am just a twat magnet.

I put the children’s old wooden play market/kitchen thing up on Facebook, for free.

I put up photos and was very honest that it needs two new screws/wood glue as they have come loose and can’t be tightened, some of the paintwork is chipped, but if someone wants it, it would make a great up cycle project. If no one wanted it, it would go to the tip. But you know, it’s free and I know lots of people like a project.

Someone immediately said she wanted it and sent her husband to collect it a while later.

Then, all hell broke loose. She messaged me saying it was in a terrible state, the paint was chipped, the screws needed replacing - no shit Sherlock. That was the actual description.

She demanded that I come and pick it up. No. She kept on and on until I had to block her.

Half an hour later, her husband turned up again and threw it on my driveway, smashing it. So now, no one can have it to do up and it will have to go to the tip.

This isn’t the first time I’ve had shit like this. I don’t know how I attract these people. So never again. It’s the charity shop, or the tip.

That’s really horrible. Some people are vile.

I used to give quite a bit away for free on FBMP. I’ve not used it for a while. I never had anything like that but I had a few ask if I could deliver large pieces of furniture for free - like a massive wardrobe or bed, because yes I’ve got access to a vehicle like a van big enough to accommodate them, don’t we all! The description clearly said I couldn’t deliver and it was collection only. And then the surprise and attitude from these people when I said I didn’t have a vehicle big enough, one lady told me to hire one, at my expense of course. Block and on to the next! Anyway, sensible nice, lovely people did come and get the free items in the end.

I did tend to reiterate any flaws when they first messaged me and screenshot the description. Only because I learnt from my sister, who has a vintage Etsy shop, that people rarely read the descriptions sadly and this is always the seller’s fault 😒

Original poster
Ohjakestopbeingatwat · 22/08/2025 19:14

amillionandone · 22/08/2025 19:06

I'm happy to save something from the landfill and let people who need it get a lucky break, but fortunately I've never had trouble with just leaving things out by the road with a "free" sign. It's rare that someone won't want it.

It's a shame that there are people who are so stupid and low-down that they'd throw things into the road to prevent someone else using them, not to mention that they're creating a hazard for drivers.

We’ve got a lot of drunks and druggies and just a load of fucking idiots here to be honest, who think it’s funny to fling things into the road which is why no one bothers.

OP posts:
NewsdeskJC · 22/08/2025 19:16

This is a timely reminder. Last time we moved we tried to give stuff away for free, think really decent and modern furniture, good name appliances, bikes. The endless"can you deliver/need this tomorrow/ etc. I put them on Ebay in the end with a buy it now price of £10. They went and people turned up to collect.
About to sort out my mums flat. Unless personal friends want the furniture and appliances, then I will just get house clearance to do it. Life is too short

Original poster
Ohjakestopbeingatwat · 22/08/2025 19:17

Xwx1010 · 22/08/2025 19:07

when someone picks up the item I make sure they know of any faults and they are still happy to take it. The majority of people on Facebook marketplace don’t bother to read the description - the amount of times I’m asked where to pick up from when it’s in the listing!!
sorry this happened though some people are horrible.

When she messaged me to ask if she could have it, I did reiterate that the canopy part of the market stall bit was really wobbly and the screws would need replacing. I also said again some of the paint was scratched - even though the add had 5 photos of the item and details of what needed fixing.

She just asked for my address. There really was little else I could do for a free item.

OP posts:
RoseLavenderBlue · 22/08/2025 19:19

Last weekend I advertised a corner sofa free on local FB. Received a message almost immediately from a woman asking if I would hold until Monday. I was a bit hesitant as I really needed it going as had new one arriving on the Tuesday, and what if she let me down. But I thought I’d better give her the benefit of the doubt, despite loads more messages from others. But she kept in communication with me and turned up with her partner and a big van on the Monday evening to take it. She was so grateful. So lucky on that occasion!

Original poster
Ohjakestopbeingatwat · 22/08/2025 19:22

NewsdeskJC · 22/08/2025 19:16

This is a timely reminder. Last time we moved we tried to give stuff away for free, think really decent and modern furniture, good name appliances, bikes. The endless"can you deliver/need this tomorrow/ etc. I put them on Ebay in the end with a buy it now price of £10. They went and people turned up to collect.
About to sort out my mums flat. Unless personal friends want the furniture and appliances, then I will just get house clearance to do it. Life is too short

We are totally changing the layout of the down stairs of our house and we have got bits of furniture (just Ikea) that we bought 5 years ago when we moved in that just won’t fit the new layout.

When I tell you I am fucking dreading getting rid of it 😭

OP posts:
Clareat2021 · 22/08/2025 19:26

Why didn't her husband look and say a really not suitable, everyone moves on. What a nasty bastard. People are the worst.

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