'Up for grabs' but then asked for cash

[FireworkFran]

Someone I vaguely know has listed an item on a local group as 'up for grabs, on its last legs be quick'. I would be able to use the item, so PMed them to arrange to collect it. All good. However they've asked me to drop cash through their letterbox, if I feel like it, or just take it if now. I was expecting it to be free but now feel awkward just taking it. AIBU or are they?

We wouldn't otherwise be going to buy this, and the price they've asked for is only a little less that it would cost if I'd bought it new (rather than collecting something which is 'on its last legs').

I'd be replying, "Sorry, I didn't realise you were wanting that amount. We'll leave it, thanks."

I think if they were selling they should have mentioned it upfront. I dont think your assumption was unreasonable.

@HaggieMaggie

Personally, friend or no riend, I would have no embarrassment in saying “sorry I misunderstood, I thought you were chucking it out as it’s on its last legs. I can get a new one for not much more so feel free to give it to your second refusal xx”

Yes this would be great. As it's polite but it lets the person know they've been cheeky.

Maybe they're too dim to know what "on its last legs" means... and they think it means it's gonna fly out the door or something

"That'll learn ya" is usually a deliberate way of writing it actually, it's a common saying and meant to be said like that.

where I am from.... the term is "That'll TEACH you.."

I'm in Scotland

@BlueThistles
I’m Scottish and have heard that’ll learn ya many times

I’m Scottish and have heard that’ll learn ya many times

that's so weird... have I been in a coma

People do this. That's why when I was giving something away for free, the person collecting asked me whether it was free.

I'd advertised as free.
I'd put free in the description.

I assume she has been burned before.

People like your acquaintance rely on embarrassment/good nature etc to get away with this. Please don't feel awkward - she is being cheeky if it is 'on it's last legs'

cathcath2 many people put free to entice people in then tell them they want money for it.

I'd have assumed free from the description too and I think they're counting on you paying up out of embarrassment.

I'd also be suspicious that "on its last legs" would actually translate into "doesn't work at all" when you got it home and tried it. They're being cheeky for sure but since they're an acquaintance and you presumably don't want a row with them I'd just go with;

"Just seen they're only £x new so we'll get our own, thanks though."

Is it turf? If so, It will be a worthless pile of mud on her driveway soon! All I can think of for perishable garden item!

My money's on a leaf vac.
(And they're generally crap anyway, whatever you pay for them).

That’ll learn ya. Is sarcasm for “pay attention next time”

Anyway .. just say apologies for the the confusion (you scammy scammer) your ad said it was free.

Just here to say "that'll learn ya" is a perfectly cromulant phrase

Also, if they didnt specify a price on the ad, they are being CFs. Tell them to naff off. That'll learn em.

Agree with @Worriedwombat2015.
My mother, who was an absolute grammar pedant, used to say, "that'll learn you." It's not meant to be grammatically accurate; it's just a light-hearted phrase, in the same way as you might say, "well THAT ain't happening." Of course it's not correct, but that's the colloquial term.

Sorry to get sidetracked on this, everybody knows the term should be that’ll teach you - saying that’ll learn ya is a joke. Deliberately saying it wrong to make the point that sometimes you need to educate yourself better.

I always imagine it being said in a cockney voice, don’t know whether it’s just me.

@PuppyMonkey it's said in a Southern American accent in my head

@CallmeAngelina

Agree with *@Worriedwombat2015*. My mother, who was an absolute grammar pedant, used to say, "that'll learn you." It's not meant to be grammatically accurate; it's just a light-hearted phrase, in the same way as you might say, "well THAT ain't happening." Of course it's not correct, but that's the colloquial term.

One hundred percent this.

Anyone advertising or offering something without mention of the price is a CF.

Obviously anyone in a restaurants or luxury shops showing no price expect a bill, but talking about "gift" or second-hand items on market place. CF.

What did you do OP?