To think these so called 'people in need' are taking the piss??

[HenriettaPye]

I'm on a group in Facebook which helps each other out with giving away things you no longer need, which others might. I've gave away some of my old baby things to people who have genuinely needed them. However there are some people taking the total piss on it! Just been on a wee look and today alone someone has posted
'anyone giving away an iPod? Not the shuffle one, I want one with a screen'
And-
'Anyone a laptop they don't want anymore?

AIBU to think this is not asking for help, but fully taking advantage?

One did make me laugh though- someone wrote 'anyone giving away any size 5 sandals? I only have boots and its too warm to wear them in this weather.' And someone replied 'go to primark and buy a pair of £1 flip flops!!

YABVVVVU to post this on here when it specifically requests you not to judge!

Oh wow

I am in no way judging people who need things. That's why I joined the group- I had a Moses basket and bedding which I wanted to give to someone who would use it.

The issue I have is with people expecting people to give them really expensive things like laptops and iPods! As much as you dress it up, these things are luxury items, which cost the original owner hundreds of pounds!!

And if the laptop is pretty old it isn't worth hundreds of pounds any more. A basic, used laptop is not a luxury item. Have you not realised how difficult it is without one for many people?

Op if you are poor and in Receipt of benefits or needing to claim benefits a device to access the Internet is not a luxury. You have to have one as so much of the process is online.

Many posters have pointed this put to you but you still don't get it, read your own thread.

It may be difficult sooty but it isn't something you desperately need. if someone had a baby on the way and nothing for it then that is a need. If someone was moving into a new house and had nothing, that is a need. A laptop is a want- an expensive want!!

I like how everyone is ignoring the iPod request and concentrating purely on the laptop one

I have been on benefits! If I had no Internet access there are libraries, or the jobcentre have jobs advertised! I know loads of people who have no Internet access yet manage to live! People come across as very entitled!

Laptops are supposedly a basic human right bacon

I do agree with the people who say a laptop is important for applying for jobs and everything, but it's every typical of MN to focus on one part of the post and ignore the iPod request which is obviously not a need

Some people do have iPods they don't use because they've upgraded or they got them free when they bought a laptop. IPods are very useful for secondary school. DS's school revision programme runs on a iPod. So it would seem like a useful item for teenagers in need.

The laptop request is relevant to people on benefits. Yes, there are some jobs at job centre points. Job centres, on average, have about 14% of all available jobs. The use of Universal Job Match is mandatory. If you are sanctioned, you have no income: it's hardly difficult to understand. Libraries are closing down and sessions on a computer are often time limited and difficult to access. If someone has a several years old laptop that they're not using any more why should people on these groups not ask if something might be available for them?

And as for "I have been on benefits" How long ago?

I agree the sandals request is :-(

I have sandals I will send her, I might look for the group!!

Oh, and please do tell me how you create a CV and upload it to Universal Job Match (mandatory) at a JCP jobpoint? I'm fascinated.

Yes it's important but i think it's cheeky to expect someone to give u one free of charge! But then I'm just a horrible sneery judgy person!!

I'm moving soon and have a load of stuff I don't want anymore. I'm too lazy to eBay or car boot it, some small stuff will go to charity shops - clothes etc but the larger stuff will be on free cycle - I'd try and make sure that whoever gets it needs it but if not so what, if they can be bothered to sell it on, good luck to them. If I don't do this it will go to the dump and that's a terrible waste.

Sooty I said jobs are advertised on it

God, imagine not being able to afford sandals. So sad.

The iPod would make me a bit .

But not the laptop.

Our computer is used my the children for homework. Lots of it is set via websites or the schools intranet. I'm not unemployed (am sahm) but am looking for jobs, wouldn't be able to job hunt without a pc.

Yes it's important but i think it's cheeky to expect someone to give u one free of charge!

So what do you suggest is done with obsolete technology?

But then I'm just a horrible sneery judgy person!!

Well, you said it...

Sooty I said jobs are advertised on it

I know you did. I also pointed out that use of UJM is mandatory and you need a computer for that.

I think the ipod was a bit cheeky! I suppose they may have wanted it as a gift for a teenager. I agree with both points of view actually (nothing like sitting firmly on the fence ). When you have no money, there are times when you may need to have things, such as th elaptop, for practical reasons. If you have older children you will understand how much pressure there can be, on them and on yourself, for them to have the latest "whatever". I can imagine asking if someone was updating their ipod if my teenager had a birthday coming up and that was what they wanted. My own DS1 is always updating his "gadgets" and he passes them down to my younger children as they (and myself) couldn't afford to buy them new.

However, on the other side, is the issue of people who are not "rolling in money", who go on these sites to help people who are "in need" and feel taken advantage of when they see people asking for things that they couldn't afford to buy for themselves. I remember when I got married, I gave all my furniture away. It had all been donated to me when I was a single mum, housed in temporary accommodation for a while). We saved hard throughout our engagement and were lucky enough to buy (cheap) new furniture for our new home. When we took a bed to one house, the owners were sitting in their living room. They shouted through the door "it's up the stairs and the room on the right". It still rankles years later!

Access to use of technology is regarded by the government as vital to being included in society, hence the emphasis on online applications, enquiries, benefit claims. It appears that some people just aren't moving with the times.

WireCat's point about schoolwork is valid too.

Sooty you are obviously just looking an argument and I'm not rising to it!

An iPod is just a small computer. You can use it for job searches, home work research etc. I don't see the difference from a lap top.