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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Would you charge for this?

22 replies

Sofagate · 27/01/2020 10:18

We're having some work done to our house so we're upgrading some of the furniture.

When we moved into our home a few years ago we were gifted a lovely sofa from my sister, who in turn had been gifted the sofa previously. It's in a lovely condition and was barely used in either home, you'd probably think it was no more than a year old when in fact, it's about 8. It would've cost 2k new. Now we're upgrading, we needed to get rid of the sofa as it won't fit. Sister doesn't want it back and isn't too fussed on what we do in order to get rid of it.

I popped it on Facebook marketplace for free (charities we've contacted can't collect it in time before the building work commences). We had a total of 6 time wasters book in to collect it and not show. One CF tried to get us to deliver and made it clear they were going to sell on for a profit.

In the end, I thought sod it, I've tried to be nice and pass the gift on but it's not worked. We decided to put it on for £250 and we've got someone coming to view it today and also a reliable acquaintance who has said they'd like it. It's mad how people are serious now that there's money involved.

My AIBU is this: I was prepared to give it away previously, but now I've got two people very willing to give me money for it (I would give any profit to my sister, I wouldn't feel right keeping it). Should I not just give it away now? Everyone I've spoken to has said take money for it?!

OP posts:
Newnamewhodis1 · 27/01/2020 10:20

Take the money. Give half to a charity if it makes you feel better

Ragwort · 27/01/2020 10:22

Just take the money and give it to your sister or to charity; some people feel very uncomfortable taking things for 'nothing' and prefer it if there is some financial transaction involved. Bizarre I know.

Sunshineand · 27/01/2020 10:22

People don't value things they get for free. That's the crux of it. Definitely sell it.

Suze1621 · 27/01/2020 10:22

Take the money and split it with your sister

slipperywhensparticus · 27/01/2020 10:24

When they get there say its actually free

notanotherjigsawpiece · 27/01/2020 10:24

If it’s an acquaintance and they like it and commit to buy, why not knock £50 off the price, then you and your sister get £100 each - while she gave it to you, you did the work of selling it.

SparkyBlue · 27/01/2020 10:30

This is really interesting as I just offered a co sleeper crib for free to three pregnant people I know. It's immaculate and I only used it for one dc. No one wanted it and I asked around toddler group if anyone knew anyone who would need it. Again no takers. I put it on Facebook marketplace and got a nice bit of cash for it so I'm delighted

inwood · 27/01/2020 10:32

Sell it and give the £ to charity

Jaxhog · 27/01/2020 10:57

Take the money and split it with your sister
This

littlepaddypaws · 27/01/2020 10:59

if something is free it could be considered as 'desperate to get rid of it, there's a problem' with it even if it's unseen.

Highonpotandused · 27/01/2020 11:20

Why do people overthink these things? Just sell the sofa, I’m sure you’ll do your sister favours in the future, it will even out.

misspiggy19 · 27/01/2020 11:24

Definitely sell it for money

ChristmasCakeLover · 27/01/2020 11:44

Sell it and split with your sister.

Kn0ckOnTheDoor · 27/01/2020 11:50

take the money and go to a spa with your sister for the weekend. time away together is priceless and then its gone to a life long memory

Drum2018 · 27/01/2020 11:53

Of course you should take the money. Give it to your sister. If she suggests splitting it then happy days. I'm sure it will come in handy with the renovations.

NomDeDieu · 27/01/2020 11:55

Take the money!
If people are stupid enough to not see a bargain when there is one and can only contemplate that a sofa is good enough if they [ay money for it, ts their problem!

It just shows that people give no value at all to something that is free.

theunknownknown · 27/01/2020 12:31

why would you give the money to your sister, she was gifted it also?
split the money and have a treat

RubysRoo · 27/01/2020 13:37

I've had to do this too. Take the money and donate to charity, it feels great. Right now I'd likely 1/2 it to the koala hospital in Oz and 1/2 to famine relief or World Vision. In fact for that amount you could sponsor a child for a year which would pay for their education, immunizations, and their parents job training. Would be a pretty great way to change a life from a couch you were going to give away.

Strangerthingshere · 27/01/2020 13:40

I agree, take the money and split with your sister. Or 3 ways with charity.

halcyondays · 27/01/2020 13:41

Of course take the money. You could split it with your sister and/or give to charity.

Titective · 27/01/2020 13:43

Take the money and offer it to your sister.

I used to give away loads for free until people wasted my time thinking that was free too. Now I put it on for a reasonably cheap price and donate to charity whenever a friend does anything charitable (+25% gift aid which is good for charities!)

mummmy2017 · 27/01/2020 15:32

As your sister if she wants to go out for bang up meal, tell her the sofa is paying.

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