Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be p*ssed off that people are using MN as a free alterntive to ebay

105 replies

geordiemacmummy · 11/10/2007 22:40

I know its been done hundreds of times before but at the moment it seems worse than ever.

I'm all for people selling on things that they dont need, things that would appeal to other MN'ers, but its getting ridiculous.

"For Sale" 1 garden shed, "L" REG ford fiesta, 7 garden knomes, a dog, four AA batteries and a kitchen sink"

People are selling the most unbelievable crap, and even worse than that bumping it up 20 or 30 times a day - take the fcuking hint - no one wants your junk.

I know that I can click on the no selling button but thats not really the point. I'm sure Mumsnet must be recommend on some money saving site as a free site to off load your crap.

There are some people that are only using the "For Sale" section, nothing else. I picked a random person just now, did a search on messages today - nearly 200... ALL IN THE SALE SECTION!!

Do us all a favour.. WWW.EBAY.CO.UK

OP posts:
FrannyandZooey · 12/10/2007 08:48

But why does it piss you off? Are they harming you? Are they doing something that is against the rules of MN?

GreebosWhiskers · 12/10/2007 08:50

I've been trying to sell some bits & pieces for a while (am a regular ) but they're constantly getting lost amongst the hordes of bumpers. Glad the MN Christmas thing is coming up as if I can't sell them I can at least give them to someone who needs them

themildmanneredaxemurderer · 12/10/2007 08:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

littlelapin · 12/10/2007 08:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

littlelapin · 12/10/2007 08:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
geordiemacmummy · 12/10/2007 08:58

It means that MN is becoming a selling board as opposed to a "parenting forum".

How would you feel FaZ if people starting using the sales boards, that werent parents, or woman (male MN'ers not included)? If people started registering that were small businesses selling, or hairy bikers from birmingham or youths using it is an outlet to sell stolen goods?

The main problem is that it is affecting regular MNers who want to sell a few bits. Their threads are being lost amongst the rubbish. The other thing is people are getting so pissed off that they are choosing to exclude the selling topics, which mean its becoming harder to sell for genuine people

OP posts:
FrannyandZooey · 12/10/2007 08:59

I can see 3 for sale postings in active convos atm

there is a button if you really don't want to see them, if it doesn't work, or you want swops to be on there as well, tell MN about it

I didn't personally know we were expected to "give back" to the site - I am sure lots of us just come on for a laugh and to pass the time. I don't think those posters are any less 'proper' members than those who spend their time giving support or whatever. Are some posters more worthwhile than others? Do we have to spend x hours each week giving advice or we'll get turned off the boards?

DoctorFrankenSquonk · 12/10/2007 09:00

anybody wanna buy a pair of girl's boots?

FrannyandZooey · 12/10/2007 09:01

It's against the site rules to use it to sell stuff from a small business

you can report people who are doing this, and MN will sort it out

You might as well say "I don't think we should have a chat board - what if people who are not parents start coming on and chatting, or youths, or something"

Santasmissyontheside · 12/10/2007 09:02

Has anyone noticed that since the whole bounty vs mn there has been an increase? I rarely bother now. Unless its this god for saken wedding dress ! i don't recognise lots now either.

Mildmanneredaxemurder did lucky come on wheels with lead? If so I'll swap for my buggy

Santasmissyontheside · 12/10/2007 09:03

Has anyone noticed that since the whole bounty vs mn there has been an increase? I rarely bother now. Unless its this god for saken wedding dress ! i don't recognise lots now either.

Mildmanneredaxemurder did lucky come on wheels with lead? If so I'll swap for my buggy

Original poster
geordiemacmummy · 12/10/2007 09:03

FandZ - Do you think its ok for 1 person to post nearly 200 times in 1 day - all selling?

No its not against the rules - there arent any rules, its just a bit snide if you ask me. Its people joing the site purely to make a profit. Now MN doesnt charge people to join this site - so I dont think its right or fair that people should take advantage and use it as a main soure of income

OP posts:
FrannyandZooey · 12/10/2007 09:06

There are plenty of rules about how we use MN. I think it works very well.

I think you are being slightly ridiculous about this tbh - hairy bikers, etc

we are not under threat from psycho buyers and sellers, I think MN can just about cope with a few people flogging their dodgy crap

Original poster
geordiemacmummy · 12/10/2007 09:07

Peope who use the chat arent making money. Its not the fact that they may or may not be parents, anyone can use the site, the point I was making is that pretty soon MN is going to be overrun with "Joe Publics" selling stuff to make a profit, which ISNT what MN is about.

OP posts:
Santasmissyontheside · 12/10/2007 09:07

Has anyone noticed that since the whole bounty vs mn there has been an increase? I rarely bother now. Unless its this god for saken wedding dress ! i don't recognise lots now either.

Mildmanneredaxemurder did lucky come on wheels with lead? If so I'll swap for my buggy

FrannyandZooey · 12/10/2007 09:07

Perhaps some MNers are pleased to be able to buy the cheap things that people are offering? I presume people do buy the stuff, or the sellers would go elsewhere.

Original poster
geordiemacmummy · 12/10/2007 09:09

If things are being bumped 20 or 30 times then they obviously arent selling.

OP posts:
FrannyandZooey · 12/10/2007 09:13

Well I am sorry that it bothers you, and I can see it obviously does. I honestly think there are worse things to get upset about and that you are making a mountain out of a molehill. But if it genuinely spoils the site for you perhaps you could speak to MN about it? If many others feel the same way perhaps they will get rid of buying and selling.

What I don't think you can ask is that buying and selling only be available to what you see as worthwhile regular members. There aren't certain posters who are entitled to more privileges than others, you know.

Blandmum · 12/10/2007 09:15

I always click on [without buying and selling] , so I never see any of this stuff.

It works for me!

Santasmissyontheside · 12/10/2007 09:15

Just have to apologise about the fecking crap phone i have that double posts.

LadyOfTheFlowers · 12/10/2007 09:16

I'm not saying you have to support people or give advice or anything, just be a normal Mn'er who posts everywhere, not just 'ForSale', that's all, is that so bad?

As others have said, most peoples stuff gets lost amongst the crap.

It's called 'Mumsnet' not 'SellYourCrapNet' so primarily is a community not a selling website yes?

themildmanneredaxemurderer · 12/10/2007 09:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DoctorFrankenSquonk · 12/10/2007 09:16

ooh, santasmissy, what is it? I'm after a new phone... how much?

FrannyandZooey · 12/10/2007 09:19

But how will you decide who is posting "enough"? Is once a day enough? Once a week?

You want to tell people how they are allowed to use the site. MN is one of the free-est and most liberal sites around, and I love it. You can't decide that certain people can't use certain areas of the site because they aren't good enough members for you.

vacua · 12/10/2007 09:19

Is the selling taking the place of other community activity? Seems to be a peripheral thing, plenty of other action on the site.