...to eBay something I was given on Freecycle?

[quandry]

My Mum's freezer stopped working and I asked on freecycle if anyone had one we could borrow/have to tide her over until she got a new one.

A man offered us one, saying he was just about to freecycle it when he saw my request.
Said we could have it, and could we freecycle it after we'd finished with it.

Mum now has her new one, so we need to get rid of the temporary one. Thing is, it's actually in really good condition - only about 18 months old, and I reckon I could get at least £80 for it on eBay.

I can't decide if it would be 'wrong' to eBay it. After all, when we picked it up the man said we were 'doing him a favour' by taking it away...

I can't decide... £80 would certainly be useful after Christmas!

[clutha]

if the guy had wanted to get £80 for it on ebay, he could have done so himself, couldnt he?

if any doubters on here dont understand, how, from a freecycle/freegle point of view, this pretty much is a no brainer non-question, then the OP could go back to her local group and ask the same question of them and report back the responses to those people on here.

there is no "yeh, but".
its simple really.
its like asking if i should go on mumsnet and tell people they should stop having kids.

that would be obviously contrary to the whole purpose of the site.

possibly a shit analogy, but you get the drift....im a regular freecycler myself.

[emmyloulou]

I wouldn't in your situation, but I have heard and don't know how true this is but...

When we were clearing our house, I looked into free cycle, just to be told not to bother as all the ebay vultures swoop, turn up in their new cars/vans and take it for ebay.

So I donated it all to charity.

If you freecycle it again chances are someone else will flog it on IMO.

[clutha]

yes, its an ongoing serious bone of contention on freecycle type groups.

this is considered the number one abuse on those sites.

however, the sites are quite busy, so when you size up the amount of users and abusers, it is still weighted toward those using the site for its correct purposes.

[doley]

I think if your original post contained the info you have since added ,you might have had different responses :)

I actually think you genuinely wanted help ,I say donate it or freecycle ...I believe it will sit better with you in the long run .

I am actually more horrified that you can not find a dentist to take care of your elderly Mum - that does not sound fair.

I think you need to concentrate your energies on finding a sympathetic private dentist ,or find help (to help you) get an NHS appointment ASAP :)

Good luck

[pigletmania]

My goodness there are a lot of myrters on here, who are on their high horse and of course do everthing right and nothing wrong. Thats why I dont post on AIBU as it can be lions out to the slaughter. The op does not deserve some of the nasty personal responses from some on here.

The purpose of Freecyle is as others have said to keep things out of landfil and recycle, not giving to the poor or charity, though there are those who are hard up that do use it. This is a one off, the op does not make a living out of it so whats the problem. She is using the cost to help her mum so what! Charity begins at home! I would put it on e bay and help your mum out, dental work privately can be so expensive. Dont feel bad op, just Freecycle some things later on.

[pigletmania]

It would be more of a crime if the op took the fridge back to the dump, at least she would be selling it on for reuse and helping her mum out. Some people are making out that she is some underhanded business person, making money regularly from freecycle to line her pockets.

[pigletmania]

Yes actually imarriedafrog quite a lot professing to be quite saintly and do no wrong.

[prettyfly1]

yeah but the fact is it is underhanded - he asked her to pass it on or freecycle it - to mind me he wasnt expecting her to make a profit off it or he probably would have done it himself. You got it for nothing so by giving it away you loose nothing. This is why I got put off freegle.

[pigletmania]

The money will help her mum, its not lining her pockets. I am sure that the person giving the fridge would be happy that its been used in some way and not taken to the dump.

[pigletmania]

might have used the wrong phrase, i was typing in a hurry

[clutha]

the purpose of FC is just as you say, that IS why one of the guiding principles is "no sales".

its not about martydom or not having done right or wrong ourselves, it a simple answer to a simple ethical question.

the OP is on freecycle, freecycle doesnt Ebay
otherwsie the chap would have sold his own fridge.

ditto im on mumsnet, i dont say women shouldnt have kids

ditto im on dogsey, i dont say that pet dogs should be banned

its not really that hard.

The site was set up for the good spirits of man, including helping those in need.
Lets not abuse it, regardless if we are not whiter than white in other areas of our lives.
The latter does not automatically preclude the former.
In fact, one could argue it may help an individual harness his better self more often.

For the record, i think the OP has been quite reasonable in her question.
Its some of the other respondents i find quite disappointing, those that would happily see no ethical wrong in abusing such a worthwhile endeavour as FC

[southeastastra]

haha how ironic that ebay started off with the same hippy 'ethic' and look at it now

[pigletmania]

I dont use Freecyle at all, I should Freecyle some stuff though as its infiltrating my garage. I totally disagree with people making a living from it, getting stuff and selling it on e bay to line their pockets, the ops situation is a bit different.

[mazzystartled]

not in spirit of freecycle

bad karma

[pigletmania]

I have a book about e bay, and it started as a medium to put sellers of goods in contact with buyers, not people giving away afree of charge. The fees are extortionate though for sellers.

[TrillianAstra]

Where does it say that's what Freecycle is for?

Freecycle is for keeping things out of the landfill.

[mitochondria]

I give things away on Freecycle so they don't go to the tip.
If I could be arsed to ebay them, I'd do it myself.
If someone else wants to come collect it, put it on ebay, pay the fees, deal with the nutters that ebay seems to attract, and actually make some money out of my old pram or box of toys, I don't mind.

However, in this case, the chap did say "Freecycle it on again afterwards".

And the OP has admitted she was cross when someone else sold things she had Freecycled.

So, I think on balance, she should Freecycle the fridge.

[ChippingIn]

Freecycle it - he chose you because you presumably put up a good case for needing it temporarily and he asked when you were finished with it that you freecycle it again.

Freecycle is good - it really is wrong to use FC to get stuff to sell - it's not the point in FC.

I was given an under the counter fridge when I moved here - I was expecting it to be a bit rough, but just needed one to tide us over until we re-do the kitchen and get a tall fridge/freezer, when I picked it up I was astounded to see it was practically brand new (she'd just bought it then moved to a house that had integrated appliances) - it still looks pretty much brand new and it's a good brand, she made no comment when I collected it, I've had it a while now and so I could ebay it - but it would be wrong, when I am done with it, I will freecycle it to someone else who needs it. Profiting from someone elses kindness is just wrong.

[Momentarynamechange]

Op you posted as your conscience about doing this must have been pricking you.

Could you contact the original guy who freecycled you the fridge, explain the situation with your mum, and ask whether he would be happy for you to ebay the fridge to help pay for her dental work? If you're really pushed to find the cash then I think, with his 'blessing' it would be okay.

It seems a bit excessive, but if he's really not bothered about it, it would put your mind at rest.

Personally I don't think it's such a huge deal, particularly as I think the Op has said she freecycles out far more than she takes in.

[emmyloulou]

OFGS OP just ebay it and be done with it, some right sanctamonious crap on here. It tends to get very sheeple on threads like this.

The guy gave it to you, it's free to do what you wish with. If you could do with the cash flog it.

Do not listen to all these veiled threats about karma and all that crap. Please.

Freecycle is full of people who make it their career to get bargains or who abuse it, and never "give" back and have every intention of never doing so. Hence why I'd rather give my stuff to charity, schools etc, where I know the stuff is going, if I needed the money I'd sell it.

Infact if you google it and peoples opinions it would seem the "needy" are few and far between.

There should be a roaring exchange of pitchforks and torches anytime soon.

[TheHeathenOfSuburbia]

I think you're fine to ebay it.

• your original FC post said you only needed it temporarily
  
• the FC guy said he couldn't be arsed ebaying it
  
• if you do FC it, there's no guarantee it won't turn up on ebay the next day. And how pissed off would you be then?
  

Like some others have said, I FC stuff cause I can't be arsed with the photos/paying to list/description/postage/general damn customer service obligations of ebay. If you can, you go for it IMO.

[lifeinCrimbo]

YABU and Unethical. Go-on, give it to someone who needs it and feel better for it.

[thedentist]

You're gonna need more than £80 even on the NHS for that broken tooth.

Sell the replacement freezer, keep the freebie and buy her some lovely pearly whites