To think my friend has taken me for a mug?

[PenAndPaperback]

Back in December, I made an online listing for my 2018 MacBook on Facebook marketplace and received a ton of 'lowball' offers or people asking me to drive an hour plus to deliver it to their place. A friend of mine messaged me, telling me that her current laptop had broken down and that she's having trouble finding work because of that (she's a freelancer).

She asked if I could 'sell' it to her first and that she'd pay it back in instalments after paying off her kids' stuff etc, before telling me that she would get back to me because she had to calculate everything. She eventually came up with a payment plan that lasted almost 2 years and I told her that I'd just give it to her as I didn't need the money and that if I were to bring it in for 'trade-in' I was told that I'd get basically nothing for it anyway.

So I dropped it off in her mailbox, and I thought that that was that. Fast forward to last week, she was sending me screenshots on her computer, and it was on a Windows laptop! I asked her in a semi-joking way, oh, did the MacBook spoil and she said that no, she's just using her old laptop and that she's using the one I sent her for 'storage'. If I had known she didn't really need it I definitely wouldn't have given it to her!

I'm not going to ask for it back, of course. But AIBU to be a bit miffed off by all this?

Tell her not to worry you’ll be round to pick it up tomorrow and you’ll fix it/get it fixed.
It’s mot strange to have a old computer/laptop for storage, i keep all my music on mine, but i certainly wouldn't beg my mate for one just for this!

I'm sitting here working on my 2018 MacBook Air.

I can't believe you just gave it away to her for free!

I also had a nightmare with The Big Sur update and spent around 40 minutes on the helpline, but got through it. It is possible that she just gave up trying to update and left it, but it's also possible that she sold it on.

You definitely are a mug though. Whatever happens you need to learn from this.

@PenAndPaperback

She's finally replied, saying that the camera and the screen is wonky (it bloody isn't) so my mum might not be able to use it for FaceTime. I asked her to take a picture because I might be able to suggest a fix but she said it's late and that she'll 'get back to me'.

In that case, you should contact her first thing and say that you’ll be stopping by to pick up the MacBook and charger (assuming you also didn’t give her case) so she will need to have it ready. That way when you turn up, you can pick everything up but still be socially distanced.

Op I agree with previous post I would tell her you are coming to collect everything tomorrow say you are going to have the camera fixed so your mum can use it

@famousforwrongreason

What a Arsehole your so called friend was who you gave something to for free,and she sold it on.
I hope you got rid of her as a friend !
I can't stand people like that.!😬

Be honest op its emma isnt it?

Cheeky cow though she is so out of order.

Mine is from 2017 and runs perfectly! No way I'd give it for free! I bet my ass she sold it.

She is a lying mare. Op you need to have an answer for every little lie that she is going to insult you with.

You’re a kind soul. If she has sold it then she has lost a bloody good friend by the sound of it. Also it’s petty but I would name and shame her.

Just say that's OK, you know someone who can have a look at it and you'll be round at 3 to pick it up. Then turn up at 2 so she can't just be out when you go round, but she will also have had time to get her shit off it if she does still have it

I would forget the Macbook and this 'friend' altogether and resolve not to be so generous in future.

"When people show who they are, believe them"

She's demonstrated, without doubt, how manipulative she is. You'll never believe another word that comes out of her mouth. My advice is block and delete her from your life.

wow what a disgrace!!! Show up at her door and ask for it! What a cheeky cheeky mare. That was very kind of you to give a 'friend' such a good laptop, and for you to be treated like that. Shame on her.

What a shit friend. Sounds like she's definitely sold it. If this was me, I wouldn't let up and I'd force her to admit she doesn't have it. I think the friendship is likely irreparably harmed anyway so I wouldn't be too concerned about keeping it after this.

She’s having you on

What a cow. Is (was!) she a good friend of yours?

What a CF!!!!! I don't know how long you've been friends or how close you are but bloody hell, you don't need friends like her!
I would be DEMANDING it back and then ditching her for sure!

And when she admits selling it, demand the money that she made and never speak to her again!

@AwaAnBileYerHeid

And when she admits selling it, demand the money that she made and never speak to her again!

I don’t agree with her selling it, if she did sell it, BUT ultimately the friend did offer to pay and the OP declined payment and gave her computer away for free, so really it was the new owners prerogative to do as she pleased with it. The OP was definitely a mug for giving away a 450 pound computer for free, but it was her mistake.

Why are you being so nice about this still? Get angry! Message her saying you want the laptop back TODAY because you're going to get it reconditioned for my mum to use. If she refuses/dodges the question, ask her outright if she's sold it. If she admits she has, tell her she owes you £450.

I think it is 50:50 between her taking you for a mug and you acting like one as there was no reason for you to handover a £450 laptop and decline an offer of payment.

I don’t think you can go around and demand something back that you have given away without conditions. Equally I don’t think I would be bothering with this friend again.

@PenAndPaperback

She's finally replied, saying that the camera and the screen is wonky (it bloody isn't) so my mum might not be able to use it for FaceTime. I asked her to take a picture because I might be able to suggest a fix but she said it's late and that she'll 'get back to me'.

Just say, no worries-as long as it types-my mum can use messenger/chat on it and it’s better than her having nothing.

This would annoy me-don’t let it lie!

@TellySavalashairbrush

I gave a couple I worked with my pram, it was as new so could have sold it for a few quid but knew they didn’t have much so didn’t ask them for money. Saw them a few weeks later using it to collect logs for their wood burner, baby was in a filthy looking pouch on their back while my beautiful pram had bloody old logs in it! Never felt the same about them after that.

I did the same with a pram, gave to someone who was struggling for pence and then a week or so after they were selling it a lot more on fb selling place!! I once saw my niece selling the Xmas presents I bought her on a face book selling place in January!

The cheek of some people still shocks me!
Cant stand liars.

I would put her on the spot with a blunt 'do you still have it? I need it back' ...

Yeah she thinks you're a mug, as do the others trying to get it for £80. You gave it to her, even though you could have sold it for a lot, so you kind of are to be honest. She's sold it most likely because you couldn't be bothered waiting more than 9-10 days or trying somewhere else. Once you give away something, the other person can do what they want with it. If they are an asshole like your friend, yeah they will sell it. It's not nice, but it's what they will do.

Next time, if you dont want someone else profiting off your back, don't give it away. It's obvious.

@PenAndPaperback

She's finally replied, saying that the camera and the screen is wonky (it bloody isn't) so my mum might not be able to use it for FaceTime. I asked her to take a picture because I might be able to suggest a fix but she said it's late and that she'll 'get back to me'.

There's a reason why she's your friend. CFers can smell suckers like sharks smell blood. You let yourself be mugged off. Lesson learned, or not. A simple, 'Did you sell it?' would do. She'll lie some more. This isn't a friend.