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AIBU?

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Original poster

Can I have x for free?

133 replies

PlinkiePlonk · 08/05/2020 10:50

I understand that times are tough, and it’s up to the individual who responds to have said yes. However, is it just me or are people getting more extravagant in what they might reasonable expect someone to gift ‘for free!’

I have just spotted in a group that someone is wondering if anyone can ‘gift’ them 100 block paving slabs for their drive. Maybe it’s just me but that seems like a lot to feel you can just commandeer.

What is the most expensive thing you have seen people try and blag that has made you think: ‘really?!’ Or is it just me being grumpy.

OP posts:
TheBitchOfTheVicar · 08/05/2020 14:38

When the DC were born/v young, I did some buying and selling of baby clothes etc on Ebay. Was always happy to collect.

Once, when heavily pregnant, I sold a Moses basket and stand I didn't need. They asked me to deliver about five miles away. Fine. Took my toddler in the car too. When I got there, it was flats. I rang the bell and they tried to BUZZ ME UP. Twats. Didn't take them long to come down and get it when I had a word

justasking111 · 08/05/2020 14:45

New flat about to have a baby everything needed. That does make me wonder.

So many funding groups for funerals one family had two set up both deaths they said due to covid.

greathat · 08/05/2020 14:50

There was someone on our local giving away site that basically wanted to be given everything. Needed an iPod but it had to have a certain memory size. Needed a toaster and microwave because their oven was broken and they couldn't afford one. Then on another local site started asking for decorator recommendations as they wanted to redo their house. Think they got booted in the end, they were not the politest either

catinasplat · 08/05/2020 14:58

@fuckinghellthisshit I seem to have something in my eye. What a lovely thing to do.

Clevererthanyou · 08/05/2020 15:00

Quite recently on a local community page on FB somebody was sharing a link to GoFundMe to raise money for their relatives funeral. I want to point out that I have 0% of an issue with this! The sum they were aiming for was £10k and it covered everything, the funeral, the hearse, the headstone and a party once lockdown ends. They reshared the post a few days into it startin and said they were grateful for the money raised so far but it was nowhere near enough and then people went mental calling her allsorts until the link was eventually pulled. It was toe curlingly bad.

Willowkins · 08/05/2020 15:02

fuckinghellthisshit Thank you, the lady you helped and decent people everywhere

Serin · 08/05/2020 15:03

The cheekiest I ever saw was for a hot tub, complete with a totally fabricated sob story (I know the family). They actually got one as well.

Thisismytimetoshine · 08/05/2020 15:06

This GoFundMe crap has got completely out of hand.
People assume it's just a begging platform (I can't afford private school fees for my 6 children / I haven't been on holiday since Dubai at half term and I need some sun / my tv is only 50" and I fancy an 80" one) and unashamedly use it as such.
How can you have so little dignity?

Thisismytimetoshine · 08/05/2020 15:07

I'd love to hear the sob story detailing the need for a hot tub Shock

WhoWouldHaveThoughtThat · 08/05/2020 15:17

I used to belong to a thing called streetlife and people often offered free goods. My washing machine started to leak badly and I found one for free. I used this while waiting for a new one to be delivered and once I had that I offered the ‘old’ one for free back on streetlife. A chap called Steve contacting saying his had just broken, he duly collected it but when I looked on streetlife and looked through some of his earlier posts I found he’d had a real run of back luck…or a second hand shop.
Edwardian Double Bed Frame
Yes please as one of r posts are broken and would help a lot at mo as short of money to buy new one if so can sort collecting straight away thanks steve
Recycling Mobile Phones
Hi in need of working phone for work can i please have as i like repairing as a hobby thanks steve
Large brown leather corner suite...still looks in good condition
Hi if uu still have would love to come collect when best for u thanks can u contact me on thankks x
Microwave – Free
Yes please
TV and DVD Player
Can i collect tv plz if still have thanks
50” phillips Televison available for free
Hi gill if still got tv would be very greatful as using small tv my tv packed up about 3 weeks ago t hank steve
Flymo Hover Mower
Yes please would collect as my broke about three weeks ago and garden needs a cut thanks contact me on
5ft aquarium FREE to collector
Hi live in * would love the tank as mine has leak and can put my fish straight inthanks

He's probably a millionaire now.

Serin · 08/05/2020 15:20

Thisismytimetoshine They invented an autistic child who needed it for sensory play and to calm down before bed.

Thisismytimetoshine · 08/05/2020 15:22

Wow! Shameless fuckers.

Sparklfairy · 08/05/2020 15:24

I briefly dated someone who set up a GoFundMe back when it first started. He said to me, 'Did you know there's this website where people give you money!?!?'

His page said, 'I'm looking for a new job and obviously I'll need transport so anything you give towards this bike would be a help!'

He didn't get any donations. He was most put out.

Methtones · 08/05/2020 15:25

I once sold something on ebay and got a begging message because the girl was disabled. Fair enough, but so am I hence the reason I was selling a piece of used disability equipment!

Thisismytimetoshine · 08/05/2020 15:26

Aw, you didn't donate 10p just to start him off? 😆

Sparklfairy · 08/05/2020 15:37

Aimed at me @Thisismytimetoshine? Smile He was such a mooch. It was about 10 years ago now and I can't believe how naive I was (he sponged off me all the time). But even I drew the line at donating to that particular cause! Grin

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 08/05/2020 15:41

I think it's largely a symptom of the freecycle/gumtree/facebook groups anyway, and people are just getting worse because of the lockdowns.

One of my local FB groups was infiltrated by a proper chancer a couple of years ago - she didn't even have any manners! - just "I'm a new mum, only 19 [or whatever age it was, young tho] and doing it tough, anyone got any baby clothes for [child's age] for free?"
Of course nice people gave her stuff.
Then it was toys, nursery stuff etc.

Suddenly someone posted a screen shot of her paying upwards of $300 for a concert ticket! So she wasn't short of money for her kid, she just wanted stuff to sell to get her concert ticket. Not even sure she HAD a kid.
Stuff like that really pissed nice people off - cheeky fucker.

Spaghettio · 08/05/2020 15:43

I sold an old tv of FB - clearly stated that there was no remote and that it's wasn't a smart tv - it would need to be connected to a tv box or something.

A guy tried to bargain me down with a sob story about his friend who is disabled and needs it - can he have it for free? I lowered my price, but wouldn't budge further. He offered to BRING THE DISABLED FRIEND so I could meet him. He was constantly messaging me. I told him no. If he didn't want it fine, but stop with the sob stories!

Eventually he says he'll collect but when he gets close he can't find me (very clearly numbered) house. I have to go and flag him down on the street.

He takes the tv, again tries to get it for nothing then begrudgingly pays (£10 - we're not talking big money!).

Two days later he messaged to say it doesn't work and he wants a refund. He starts to threaten me and says that he knows where I live. Eventually I told him I would call the police if he threatened me or turned up at my house. Then I blocked him. I'd had 47 messages from him!

Next time, I'm going to be way more discerning- at the first sign of a sob story or CFery, I'm not doing it.

pinkyredrose · 08/05/2020 15:43

So I gave her an almost new laptop that I'd only used for a couple of months why would you give a stranger your new laptop? I mean seriously!

Thisismytimetoshine · 08/05/2020 15:56

That's the other advantage of charity shopping your stuff, Spaghettio, you may not make any dosh but you don't have to let the loonies at large know where you live!

elfycat · 08/05/2020 16:28

I take stuff to charity shops, or leave out the front with a 'free to a good home' sign. Most things go fairly quickly.

The first thing was a pair of lovely wooden trays, a never-used wedding present. The man came down the side of the house to where we were sorting through the garage to offer us money for them. He wanted to gift them as a wedding gift and thought he should pay. I suggested a he make a donation next time he saw a charity box.

A little girl at DDs' school said they had the TV we left out last Nov and it was in her room. Another person had our old washing machine - completely new working parts but the final part took longer than the insurance company allowed so we got a new one.

I had a friend who was a CF (now ex-F) and would take her latest foster child round car boot sales, and throw sob stories on FB and other sites to get things for free/very reduced price. Then if it was a good label and new enough it would go on her Ebay shop. Actual foster children were treated like Victorian orphans who needed rescuing from their benefactor (yes I called SS, hence ex-F). She taught me the true meaning of Xmas CF'erdom.

Warpdrive · 08/05/2020 16:45

I wanted to give away some wardrobes. For free. 5 times over 3 days I was messed about so I changed tack and said they were £20 each.
They were gone in 3 hours and when they tried to give me the money they were so unbelievably grateful.

Thisismytimetoshine · 08/05/2020 16:47

It's a well known phenomenon; people don't value things they get for nothing. They assume it has no value. It's odd, certainly.

MissAnanke · 08/05/2020 17:19

Freecycle was set up to stop things ending up in landfil, not for people in financial difficulty. So if someone wants pink cot sheets it's fine to state that in the wanted ad or say no to blue ones offered. If a page is specifically set up for people who are struggling and in need then that's different of course.

It's the CFs that ruin all these things. I had someone on Gumtree try their hardest to have me make a 20 mile round trip to sell a £5 plant to them. Fairly sure it was a piss take though.

@Oakmaiden I think that was someone taking the piss or has a wellie/foot fetish.

TheGreatWave · 08/05/2020 18:03

In a way yes it is fine to state a specific want, trouble is they usually start a post saying that they are desperate for something and then refuse it because it isn't quite the right colour.

I am a member of one group where it heavily policed that only those in desperate need (i.e affordability) are allowed to ask for things. I have all but stopped offering on there because they are quite happy to take what I offer but want to ban me from having anything.