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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be shocked at some of the second hand stuff for sale on Facebook

62 replies

amimadtoconsiderthis2017 · 07/08/2017 15:00

Recently joined a FB selling group as I sold my house and had furniture to sell. I now get notifications when people add items for sale.

Today I've had notifications for someone selling old books for 20p and someone else selling old clothes and shoes from places like New Look, Primark etc for £1, £2.

It wouldn't occur to me to sell that kind of stuff. I'd just charity shop it. Unless it was something that was really expensive new in which case I might ebay it to try and recoup some cash.

Aibu to be shocked at what people sell? Do people actually buy it as some of it looks very well used, eg someone was selling faux-suede high heeled New Look shoes which looked really well worn and had visible scuffs on them for £2.

I'm not sure what to make of it. The selling group is for a relatively affluent area.

Are people struggling this much that they'll go to the trouble of selling well-worn t-shirts online for £1? Or just being cheeky trying to sell this stuff?

OP posts:
CallsignStarbuck · 07/08/2017 15:01

Yes they are struggling. I hate judgy people like you. Not all of us can be minted.

SheRaaarghPrincessOfPower · 07/08/2017 15:02

^ this

AnUnhappyStudent · 07/08/2017 15:03

It makes me sad when I see the pages for more affluent areas selling childrens toys when they could be donated to good causes.

Phosphorus · 07/08/2017 15:05

Yes, many, many people are struggling 'that much'. Hmm

And many more have literally nothing left to sell.

Butterforgloss · 07/08/2017 15:06

Every little helps

MilkTwoSugarsThanks · 07/08/2017 15:07

They should eBay their "well worn" shoes. They'd make quite a lot of money! 😱

Original poster
amimadtoconsiderthis2017 · 07/08/2017 15:09

I'm not meaning to be judgy. That's why I'm asking the question here.

I do appreciate I'm fortunate to be in a position where I can donate old clothes to the charity shop and not need to worry about whether I could sell them.
Although I don't buy loads of clothes and tend to wear most stuff until it's completely worn out.

OP posts:
TheEmojiMovieLooksShite · 07/08/2017 15:11

I sell things on Facebook because I don't drive, I have a back condition and I use a wheelchair quite frequently. Getting stuff to a charity shop is a complete nightmare for me. I would like to give my old stuff to a charity shop but it's really difficult.

It's much easier to just put stuff online for £1 or £2 because then people will come to my house and pick it up and it saves all the hassle of taking things to a charity shop.

I also use Freecycle but I've found people are much more unreliable on there than Facebook. I think this is to do with the fact that stuff on Freecycle is free so people just aren't as "invested" but also that on Facebook people can see when multiple people are interested in your items so it creates a bit of competition.

Your post sounds very judgmental.

Areyoufree · 07/08/2017 15:14

I guess I'm judgy too. I found it really weird that someone in my area was selling two open jars of protein powder, each with about one third left in. Would anyone actually buy that?

Refilona · 07/08/2017 15:20

I sold my bike on Facebook the other day. Was trying to sell it for 30, had a lot of offers. The woman who replied first came pick it up and asked if I could do 25 which I did. Happily goes away riding her new bike. A few days later messages me asking to return it as there is something wrong with it and would cost a lot to repair. I said okay as didn't want to start a feud (she's local).
She sends her kid over with the bike... she had busted the front tire, it was totally flat. I felt had for the kid and gave him the money back, then messaged the next person who was interested, explained it all and gave it to them for free... don't think I'll ever do it again even though I've done it many times before as it properly annoyed me.

GoodMorning1 · 07/08/2017 15:20

Even affluent areas usually have pockets of deprivation in them.

Emoji - do you ever get those charity bags trough the door? Where you fill them and stick them outside your door on a certain day and someone collects them? I don't drive and I find these collections are a good way of donating stuff. I know what you mean about people on freecycle not committing!

FreyaJade · 07/08/2017 15:20

I did a car boot sale & sold all my unopened food stuffs one time. I did find it quite stressful doing a car boot & with FB selling would find it stressful having people call round otherwise I would do it because I need the money.

My mum has a car & kindly takes my unwanted stuff to charity shops. Some of them will email to say what they've sold & to thank you which is nice.

TheEmojiMovieLooksShite · 07/08/2017 15:25

GoodMorning We don't get that many of them around here because we live quite out of the way. Well, we're in a town centre but down a couple of narrow streets on through a private road so the vans just don't bother coming this way.

When we did have some once, I watched the bin men collect them up in their pile ready for the truck. I sent DH out to get them all back and have a go at the bin men. If I'd not been looking, it'd have all ended up in the bin Angry

I also like selling stuff on FB because I can sell the stuff that the charity bags don't take like electrical items.

SaraWeez13 · 07/08/2017 15:26

Selling clothes for a few quid I don't find odd.

Selling old pyjamas and bras I find odd.

Hamiltoes · 07/08/2017 15:30

I'm judgy too then. Half the stuff on mines is awful for £1 or £2 (why bother) and the other half is awful and £90-£150 (cheeky fuckers).

And I usually find its the most affluent people who sell stuff. I grew up in one of the roughest areas in my city and people used to give stuff away that they didn't need any more. I was a struggling single mum and gave my pram to another struggling single mum. I had sofas off people for free, and gave my fridge away for nout when I upgraded. Its the same with the uniform bank, its mostly low income families who donate, and higher income families I see selling it on the FB group pages.

I wanted a double buggy for odd use so went onto gumtree, got the ladies address and it was a huge house in one of the more affluent parts of the city. £70 and she hadn't even bothered to clean it, it was basically falling apart. I wouldn't have even given it to the charity shop. I don't think you can tell wether or not someone is struggling by what they sell on facebook.

TheEmojiMovieLooksShite · 07/08/2017 15:31

MilkTwoSugars Are you implying that perverts will buy women's smelly old shoes on Ebay?

I've looked and there do seem to be a lot of "well worn" shoes on Ebay.

I hate throwing away old shoes knowing they'll end up in landfill. Most of the time, I'm only selling them because they stink Blush or look a bit knackered. If I can make a few quid from them, that sounds magic Grin

MartinJD · 07/08/2017 15:34

Selling used stuff is actually good for the environment and also good for the economy. Many poor people need to sell things which may seem cheap to you, but it all adds up when you're on the breadline.

For example my old friend Chokichi Kawasaki will often buy used pairs of women's briefs from the vending machines at the side of the road when he's back home (in Pontefract). The mind boggles but needs must.

Best,
M.JD

Crinkle77 · 07/08/2017 15:35

I saw someone selling a pair of sandals complete with dirty foot prints.

RatRolyPoly · 07/08/2017 15:36

Maybe they do it so that other people can BUY those things for less than a couple of quid? A charity shop would certainly charge more.

Crinkle77 · 07/08/2017 15:37

It makes me sad when I see the pages for more affluent areas selling childrens toys when they could be donated to good causes.

This comment is also judgemental. Just because someone lives in an affluent area doesn't mean they're are not experiencing financial hardship.

RatRolyPoly · 07/08/2017 15:38

...or that selling items to those who want/need them for a really low price isn't a good cause in itself.

LumpySpaceCow · 07/08/2017 15:38

I'm with you OP. I have FB friends who do this and I'm constantly receiving notifications about the shite they are selling - some of it is in there for months and months but just keeps on getting 'bumped'....I mean take a hint, nobody wants your old crap! Then there's the other friends who are affluent but Tey selling their stuff for extortionate prices.....neither seem to gain interest!

JennyBlueWren · 07/08/2017 15:44

I've been buying children's clothes on ebay and surprised of the prices being asked (and paid) for individual items. The stuff I tend to buy is being sold in "bulk" e.g. 5 tops and so much better value.

LifeofClimb · 07/08/2017 15:45

I sell all sorts. You'd be surprised at what people will buy...

TheScottishPlay · 07/08/2017 15:46

I recently sold an unopened, boxed swing and sandpit on our local facebook. They had been in the shed for a bit as they had been duplicate toys given to DS.
They were 'worth' a lot more they went for. DS got some holiday spends and the family they were sold and delivered to said they'd never manage to buy them new.
If I had put them to a charity shop locally they would have been filched for the volunteers' families or sold for much more than many could afford.

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