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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is this wrong? WWYD?

100 replies

TeacherKS1 · 29/05/2016 21:08

I have a spare mattress to get rid of. It's in great condition as it was used on the spare bed. It was expensive, around £300 a few years ago. However, the cover is a bit stained. I've cleaned it with a steam cleaner but it's discoloured.

I'd rather it didn't go into landfill so advertised it locally for free. I put a photo on and described it as I have done here. I've had a few responses, just waiting for them to get back re collection.

I've just had a message from someone telling me it's disgusting.

I feel awful. I was trying to avoid taking it to the tip, and am aware that there are people in need of home furnishings etc who don't necessarily have the means to buy anything new.

Have I done the wrong thing? Was genuinely trying to help.

And does anyone know of anywhere I could take it instead of the tip?
I will take it to the tip if that's the general consensus.

OP posts:
Micah · 29/05/2016 21:32

It's not illegal to sell?

As long as it is labelled as pp said, there's no law i know of.

Mari50 · 29/05/2016 21:32

Why would someone be so unpleasant to message you saying it's disgusting? I totally understand where you are coming from re not wanting to send it to landfill. You've cleaned it and are offering it free, if no one wants it, then fair enough but your motivation was good so ignore the twat. Some people just enjoy spreading misery.

loona13 · 29/05/2016 21:32

Please reply to the person asking what do they do if they need to use hotel bed..? And post the reply Halo Flowers

wonkylegs · 29/05/2016 21:34

As long as they have the fire labels on them you can sell / give them away,
The message that the OP received was nasty and uncalled for. If you think something is disgusting don't get it and move on, don't make comments.
I suspect that person doesn't think about who else has slept in the beds when they go on holiday.

Original poster
TeacherKS1 · 29/05/2016 21:34

loona I'm quite confused as to what she thinks a free second hand mattress looks like. Presumably she didn't click on my advert by accident.

OP posts:
KittensandKnitting · 29/05/2016 21:35

Ignore the idiot!

Have you tried the British Heart Foundation? They are usually on the look out for this sort of thing.

If it hadn't have been for them when my mum found herself homeless (father left us on the day of eviction after gambling the mortgage for a year) with a two year old we would have had no where to sleep...

Someone will need it or want it, I had a sofa (habitat but water stain on arm) on Facebook a little while ago a lady turned up as her sofa had broken and she couldn't have been more grateful for this bit tatty free sofa.

To the previous posters who have said its "in-hygienic" "gross" etc to get a second hand mattress I bet you don't think twice of sleeping on a hotel mattress which if you really really think about it are possibly far more grim :)

MrsBobDylan · 29/05/2016 21:35

Illegal? Ah yes, that illicit trade of black market second hand mattresses...

Original poster
TeacherKS1 · 29/05/2016 21:35

Well if anyone in the SE needs a double mattress you know where I am.

OP posts:
Original poster
TeacherKS1 · 29/05/2016 21:37

Thanks kittens I tried BHF but they won't take any stained goods. Fair enough.
Will try local hostels maybe.

OP posts:
jerryfudd · 29/05/2016 21:37

Illegal Grin like the police don't have enough to do Confused

Lovepancakes · 29/05/2016 21:38

I bought ours on gumtree and it's far better than new ones bought for £££ - it was nearly new (it was spotless) and now have a new cover on it too. It was £40 instead of over £1000 which it would have fetched; someone was moving country soon after buying it .

Surely nonsense whoever said its illegal?! And OP you are kind giving someone the opportunity , and polite/ sensible too being clear on its condition as someone is bound to need it . I'm somehow against the principle of everything being disposable if it is still good/ clean/ useful

RaspberryOverload · 29/05/2016 21:40

OrlandaFuriosa Sun 29-May-16 21:19:16
It's illegal to sell used ones,

It does seem to be illegal in some parts of the US, but there's no law restricting sale in the UK. I've just seen 100+ ads on Gumtree.

Itsaplayonwords · 29/05/2016 21:40

You could also try women's refuges. Alternatively Ronald McDonald House Charities might be interested

www.rmhc.org.uk

Original poster
TeacherKS1 · 29/05/2016 21:41

Thanks all. I've googled my local recycling centre and they take mattresses so if nobody's replied by Tues I'll take it up there. At least they'll recycle it.
Glad you think the message poster IBU, I will delete message and feel better!

OP posts:
shazzarooney999 · 29/05/2016 21:41

whoever messaged you is an asshat xxx

BeauGlacons · 29/05/2016 21:42

Shocking. FWIW OP when we no longer needed a pram, buggy, cot, highchair I phoned SS to see if they knew if families who might need them. All items were perfectly cared for and clean. Their response "we only provide our clients with brand new items". I did ask why and they muttered something about health and safety but that wasn't the tone in which the call was initially received. Sadly people seem to have develops an embedded sense of entitlement.

We gave the stuff away - it went to very good homes for the children of middle class professionals like us.

I'd just ignore.

KittensandKnitting · 29/05/2016 21:43

That's a shame but few years ago teacher since I'm now 38 :)

Ridiculous it's illegal in the US...

I'm sure someone will want it!

BeauGlacons · 29/05/2016 21:44

There's a young mum on another thread who would very much like a mattress. Not sure if she's in the SE. Will link later.

ExtraHotLatteToGo · 29/05/2016 21:45

Illegal? WTAF 😁

Ignore the idiot that sent you the message. Second hand mattresses aren't for everyone, but they're a god send to others. Don't let her put you off re advertising if you don't get any takers first time around. Much better it gets rehomed than shoved in land fill.

Original poster
TeacherKS1 · 29/05/2016 21:45

Thanks Beau

OP posts:
bloodyteenagers · 29/05/2016 21:46

A few states in America it's illegal. Kid you not. Check out Tennessee.

I suppose it could depend on how discoloured it is. I have seen some lightly stained on FB groups that do really belong in the skip.

Furiosa · 29/05/2016 21:46

Hydrogen peroxide and bicarbonate of soda should lift any stain off the mattress.

Just an idea Smile

houseeveryweekend · 29/05/2016 21:46

That guy is an idiot. Some people would be very glad of a free matress if its only slightly discoloured. You just put a mattress protector on etc. Not all people can afford to constantly buy brand new matresses. Im suprised he messaged you as even if hes a clean freak and thought that to himself its a whole other thing to then message someone about it... he must be a very strange person!! Id just ignore it xx

Lynnm63 · 29/05/2016 21:51

Some people are just arses. It's a nice thing you're doing OP and someone will be grateful. In fact we had a second hand mattress on ds2 bed as he was not dry and I'd rather he wrecked a £20 second hand one than a £300 new one.

TerrifiedMothertobe · 29/05/2016 21:52

Sounds like a total. Arse.

My dads neighbour took his bed and mattress he had put out for the council to collect. And this is not a crap ea, they saw a great bed and asked if they could take. He was delighted, as like you wasn't sure anyone would take a second hand mattress.

They will.

I remember some of my student beds.... Would have loved a second had free mattress!!