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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think its horrid to be cashing in on childs lost toy.

69 replies

snowsnowohno · 29/12/2013 21:35

My ds lost his comfort toy a few weeks ago in a busy shopping place. No one handed it in. Luckily I had a spare but ds was very upset about losing him.

I decided to have a look on ebay as he asked father Christmas for to bring his fluffy back. I was shocked to find loads and loads of different comforters selling at approximately £20 each. Over 4x the price they would have been in the shops.

Aibu to think it is horrid that people are trying to make so much money out of a child losing their toy?

OP posts:
grabaspoon · 29/12/2013 21:37

but they're not targeting children who've lost their comforter

Sirzy · 29/12/2013 21:37

surely all the are doing is listing things, nobody is being forced to bid to a higher price than they are happy (or buy it now price)

StarsUponThars · 29/12/2013 21:37

Um, I think it's a supply and demand issue, and that you're probably feeling a bit sensitive about this at the moment.

It's great that you had a spare though Smile.

GlindaForGood · 29/12/2013 21:51

I have both bought a replacement much loved toy on eBay and sold a spare pair of teddy comforters, which sold for a lot despite me putting them on at 99p.

I was relieved to get a replacement when ours was lost and I was happy that someone had the chance to buy mine as a much wanted replacement. The ones we sold went for about double the rrp, lots of bids, lots of demand.

Original poster
snowsnowohno · 29/12/2013 21:58

I can understand people selling a spare one they had at home. But I can't imagine going into a supermarket buying a comforter and selling it at buy it now price of £20 just to make cash on a Childs misfortune.
Maybe I am just too soft hearted would never make it in business, would I!

OP posts:
Exsilisreadingthis · 29/12/2013 22:00

They're not making cash out of a child's misfortune Confused they're just selling something on ebay.

FracturedViewOfLife · 29/12/2013 22:01

It's not to make cash on a child's misfortune. They weren't to know a child would lose that comforter.

Farrowandbawlbauls · 29/12/2013 22:01

Where on earth did you get that they are selling to make money out of a child's misfortune?

They are selling stuff because they can. The child's misfortune is not their fault and they are in no way doing this on purpose.

YoureBeingASillyBilly · 29/12/2013 22:03

Surely they are just selling their own dcs no longer wanted toys?

Unless you specifically searched "toys found in the street" then its highly unlikely any of them were actually some child's missing toy.

BrianTheMole · 29/12/2013 22:03

Yes I paid that for a new toy. Although it was the only other one I had ever seen. I was glad to get it.

TheRobberBride · 29/12/2013 22:04

I think you're overthinking this a bit OP.

Nobody is forcing you to buy anything. Items that are discontinued in the shops will often be more expensive on eBay. If it wasn't for these sellers you'd have no option of a replacement would you?

I replaced my DCs comfort object by buying a replacement on eBay. It cost me 99p and I collected locally so no P&P charges. So your problem is not universal.

YoureBeingASillyBilly · 29/12/2013 22:05

I'm actually pretty shocked by this OP.

HicDraconis · 29/12/2013 22:05

It's not nice to think that people are cashing in on a child's distress, but that's the law of supply and demand. If demand is high (and lots of children have lots of soft toys and lose them frequently so demand for replacement will be high) then the price will reflect that. Especially if the only place you can buy is ebay because they were last year's stock and are no longer sold in the shops.

However - mostly people are listing soft toys that are taking up space, no longer needed. They price check to see what similar go for, or they list at 99p and 2 people who both want the item drive the price up with bidding. It might have sold for £4.99 originally but now it's worth what people are prepared to pay.

I contacted an ebay seller who had listed a toy as an auction, no bids, explained I was looking to replace a much loved lost comforter and would she consider changing to buy-it-now - she immediately changed the listing for the £4.99 tag price. So not everyone is cruel and heartless! (And I wish I'd sent her chocolates, was too distracted with new baby and heartbroken toddler at the time to think).

Original poster
snowsnowohno · 29/12/2013 22:07

Like I said I would be no good running a business.

I just think its odd that people buy these thing to sell on at a ridiculous price. Knowing that a child will have lost their comforter.

OP posts:
gobbynorthernbird · 29/12/2013 22:08

Gosh, from the title I expected to find out that some git was holding a toy to ransom.

DeepThought · 29/12/2013 22:09

I don't get the problem

Someone sells old soft toys on ebay, yes? But they should sell cheap as chips just in case a random child loses one of the same, yes? Um, nope that's not how it works.

Farrowandbawlbauls · 29/12/2013 22:11

OMG, they don't know a child has lost their comforter for christs sake.

They are just selling a toy their kids no longer need. It's not selling at a ridiculous price if that is was people are bidding. The sellers have no control over the people bidding, they are just happy they are willing to buy the no longer needed toy.

Farrowandbawlbauls · 29/12/2013 22:12

*what, not was.

YoureBeingASillyBilly · 29/12/2013 22:12

Oh fgs!

How on earth do you know people are buying them specificlly to sell on? They could have received duplicates or just too many teddies when baby was born. And even if they are buying to sell on, they are not targetting children who have lost toys- people buys teddies for other reasons you know!

You sound about 5 OP.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 29/12/2013 22:13

They are not cashing in on a child's distress. That would only be the case if people only ever bought these comforters to replace lost ones! and that is simply not the case. People might be buying them as presents, or for a baby they are expecting.

The seller has no idea why you are trying to buy the comforter, so you cannot ascribe any malevolent or nasty intentions to them. They are simply trying to sell stuff - and either people will pay the price they ask, or they won't, and they'll have to drop the price.

YoureBeingASillyBilly · 29/12/2013 22:14

Btw YABU

Binkyridesagain · 29/12/2013 22:15

Would you feel the same if you bought from a shop? By your logic they are also cashing in on your childs distress.

FracturedViewOfLife · 29/12/2013 22:15

I really do doubt they do it knowing that a child will have lost their comforter. YABU

Original poster
snowsnowohno · 29/12/2013 22:18

No I am not talking about random people selling a toy their child no longer wants.

It seems people are buying a few comfort toys from different shops to sell on eBay when they are no longer available in shops. And bumping the price by 4x the amount! Cashing in on others misfortunes! I just think its a bit sad! I except that I am on my own on this and U lot are just heartless! ( I am joking about last bit)

I think maybe I am a bit sensitive hormones!

OP posts:
Wintersunset · 29/12/2013 22:21

If people didn't do this, the lost toy would stay lost, as they did in the days before eBay.

If you think it it horrid, don't buy them ...