To sell something I got from a freecycler months ago?

[FrightAttendant]

...or should I freecycle it in turn? It is a very good pair of curtains which I was lucky enough to get (I offer quite a bit but have only ever 'won' two things, one was a swap and the other was these)

I thought they would be perfect for us but it turns out they don't fit the windows we wanted them for.

They were given away by a very generous and very well off woman whose house was full to the brim with antique furniture, art etc.

I was very thankful but they have been sitting on the cupboard for a few months now and I am not sure what to do with them. I could freecycle them or I could sell them and what with a new baby things are pretty tight - would it be dishonest/ something like that?

Is there a kind of Karmic rule that things obtained free ought to be given away free, too?

I usually lose on things I sell on, say on ebay, and seem to have the 'never make a profit' gene, in fact if I make a profit I tend to subconsciously sabotage it somehow.

So would it be wrong to actually make a few pounds this time? I didn't intentionally get them to sell, iyswim.

Thanks for reading and your thoughts

You should do with them what ever you wish. People who freecycle do so to clear out unwanted stuff that they cannot be bothered (or do not need the money for) to sell themselves.

Our freecycle group makes it very clear that if people making offers have strong objections to people selling stuff on then they SHOULD NOT FREECYCLE.

You should however try to find some other things to freecycle for the sake of karma

I quite often offer things on Freecycle - for people to sell. Usually carboot type clutter that I've tried to sell, or can't be bothered with. But I do try and edit who it goes to. I get the same replies to every item that I offer.

I agree with washersaurus

I don't.

Selling them on goes against the ethos and spirit of freecycle. Either offer them again, or give them to a charity.

I joined freecycle a few months ago, and for the most part it's fab, but my goodness there are some cheeky blighters out there, with their "wants". The most recent was a woman who wanted a king sized bed, with a chocolate brown leather frame . Not quite sure that she's got the hang of freecycle

Message withdrawn

Thankyou all very much. I will stick to the plan of selling and donating. I want to clarify that this wasn't something I 'asked' for on freecycle (I don't think I've ever actively asked for anything except an old double buggy, which I didn't get! Fair enough) but it was something she advertised and I responded to. (She gave away loads of things for a couple of weeks, I didn't have anything else from her)
Had I actually asked for some curtains and then been given these, I'd feel differently - definitely a no-no to sell in that case.
Thanks again for all the perspectives.

fright attendant the pram is great ,and we have two same one classic chassis ,one linear as dd dont drive so put car seat and linear chassis in taxi, i got a lovely little granddaughter shes fifteen days old and now weighs 8lb. hope u ok

FA - what are they like? mums after some new heavy curtains for the patio - could prob swop for something - maybe an exchange for baby stuff i've got?

Giving something away should not come with conditions. This should not be the spirit of anything. Has freecycle become the new church? Follow the rules or lose your soul? Take this but feel guilt forever?

If you were given something and it is now not suitable, but selling it to purchase something that is, is more than fine!

I recall correcting some women in the charity shop who complaining that some items had just been sold to a dealer. They didn't like the fact that the dealer would make a profit. What difference should it make to a charity shop who bought stuff and what they intend to do with it? The shop has its money - job done. The dealer is now making a profit and feeding his family - job done...

I don't think it's dishonest to sell them. And I especially think its not bad karma. The 'universe' gave you these curtains - if you need the money to buy something else then its fine.

You sound like a warm, generous person (or you wouldn't be stressing about being ungenerous iyswim) and that you have given before - I am sure that you will give again when you have too much

FA, sell and donate sounds like a good idea. If you wish, you can email the lady and tell her that the curtains are lovely but don't fit and whether she wants it back (probably not), whether she prefers you to freecycle or would she minded if you sold and donated to charity.

I suspect she would be delighted at the last suggestion, and your graciousness in checking with her.