To suspect I am being played?

[IonaNE]

Fb "freebies" page for the area, someone asking for a big flatscreen telly saying her eyes are getting worse because of diabetes so she needs a bigger telly; and she has no room for a "big-backed" one.

I reply offering a 31" flatscreen, stating where it can be picked up from. Response: "I can't get to you, I'm devastated" (paraphrased). I reply suggesting a friend, family member or co-worker...? Response: "I know it's sad but I don't have any friends or family."

On her Fb there are a few profile pictures in which she appears to be about 50 and is surrounded by 3-4 primary school age children. She also refers to a grandchild in a comment.

I feel that it is highly unlikely that one gets to age 50 with grandchildren but without a single friend or family member who could pick up a free telly. (Also to add that I live in an area where people tend to have cars.)
Or AIBU?

If it walks like a duck, sounds like a duck ......

Just say you can't deliver it. If she wants it someone will get it for her.
Someone asked me to deliver something I was offering for free and I said I wouldn't do it

Yes she's a chancer alright.

If you want her to have it maybe you could deliver it? If not just say it os mo longer available.

If she wanted it that badly she'd get a taxi.

She's a chancer, it'll be on eBay before you've got home if you take it round there.

God loves a trier.

I hope you're not delivering it.

RedHelenB If you want her to have it
Helen, I thought the idea was that she wanted to have it, not that I wanted her to have it. It isn't in my way.

So what is the problem? Just don't give her the tv

I really hate it when people take advantage of other's good nature. Tell her to stuff it.

If she has grandchildren, that must mean she has an adult child.

At the end of the day, it's about what's most convenient for you. If you desperately want to get the telly out of your house, have a car and she's just round the corner, then no problem - though she may well being lying about the diabetes & just using that as an excuse to play on your good nature. Or she could be telling the truth. Who knows.

If that's inconvenient to you, then repost if and state 'collection only'. You don't know this woman and don't owe her anything. You are not Argos

Thanks for the response, Margo, and everyone. I did not actually post the telly, I don't particularly want it out of the house; the person I have exchanged messages with posted a "Wanted" ad on the page.

If she has grandchildren, that must mean she has an adult child
That's what I thought, too; but I don't want to jump to conclusions because my mother also has 3 adult children - who live in 3 different countries (and my mother in a 4th).

Chancer, avoid. Although this being mumsnet, I should really tell you to deliver the tv, take her out for a naice lunch and throw in a free dvd player.

Lol, Wookiecookies, I actually have a dvd-player connected to it and was going to ask if she wanted it!

There could be all sorts of reasons though couldn't there....her (adult) child might have died, might live abroad or just in another part of the UK, her child might be disabled, not have a driving licence, she might look after the GC because her adult child is not capable?

I'm probably too nice but I'd give the benefit of the doubt. Surely she's less likely to be selling it on if you deliver it as you'd be in with a chance of seeing that she doesn't really need it?

It is highly possible she's not got anyone to collect it. If she's on a low income then she'll be surrounded by others on a low income...meaning nobody has a car.

When I lived in a council block not that long ago, nobody had a car and many people didn't even have a hoover.

You'd see people carting hoovers up the road as they'd borrow them from others.

She probably means she's got nobody to collect it for her.

How can she not see tv but manage facebook? Thats what id be wondering.

I'm so going to get flamed for this....

I would put the price of a new tele on her talking out of her backside.

Maybe not about all of it, but most of it.

The amount of people I have had give me attitude for not wanting to deliver free items has put me off using free sites. I started saying yeah happy to deliver...for a £10 delivery fee. Suddenly people were able to pick things up when I said that.

Yes- it sounds like you are being played. Just say sorry, but you can't deliver.

And then come back and tell us what she says next !

Almost certainly a chancer. I would just say "a shame I couldn't help - hope you find something that works logistically for you"

My favourite one recently was I put a car seat and car base up for free on Gumtree and someone said they needed one urgently and could I deliver, when I said no they said I was too far away for them to pick up as they didn't have a car....but then why did they need a car seat and base urgently?

Tell her to pay for a courier and you would be happy to send it.

Also, how far away does she live from you?

Block her and sell your tv ....... I'm in a mean mood ..... don't like urine extractors

People will always chance their arm. I put a Mamas and Papas 3-in-1 pram on Freecycle once. Somebody emailed me saying 'Can you deliver to hun?' Er no, get the bus here if you want it that much.