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Original poster

Giving away baby things for free

76 replies

LeonoraFlorence · 20/03/2021 14:40

I’ve listed a few baby things like bouncer/car seat/jumperoo/play mat etc. I’ve offered them for free (all excellent condition) and I’ve had numerous messages from people asking for them (sometimes not in a very polite way!) and also wanting me to deliver!

Honestly, I’m quite annoyed as I think it’s a bit rude. Has anyone else had this? Normally I give things away to friends but littlest DD is the youngest of them at the moment.
I have 6 daughters and a DH who is working today, I certainly don’t have time to go round delivering things!

OP posts:
willibald · 20/03/2021 15:57

It's fucking rude and CF and you said collection only. Not your fault or problem if they can't drive.

Just say NO.

'As stated on the advert, NO deliveries, collection only.'

Block the impolite ones.

dcb2 · 20/03/2021 16:04

I'm a member of several freecycle groups and see this often. Along with highly specific multiple requests - such as, does anyone have a 42 inch tv they'd like to donate? Must be HD and delivered to me at X place.

I like freecycle, it's nice to find a home for things. But some of the requests are bloody cheeky. That said, I've met some lovely people who are collecting for good causes and it makes it worthwhile.

Lostinspace23 · 20/03/2021 16:12

I’d contact a baby bank or refugee charity and see if you can donate it all in one go to a place that can make sure things are routed to someone in need.

saraclara · 20/03/2021 16:25

I've been collecting free baby stuff for a refugee new mum in emergency housing. She's almost in tears at what she sees as the generosity of people giving their stuff away. But there's no way she could collect any of this stuff for herself. She has no transport and a three-week-old baby.

I'm sure there are a lot of chancers out there, but some of those people most in need will genuinely not be able to collect things. unfortunately there's no way to tell which is which though!

willibald · 20/03/2021 17:11

@saraclara

I've been collecting free baby stuff for a refugee new mum in emergency housing. She's almost in tears at what she sees as the generosity of people giving their stuff away. But there's no way she could collect any of this stuff for herself. She has no transport and a three-week-old baby.

I'm sure there are a lot of chancers out there, but some of those people most in need will genuinely not be able to collect things. unfortunately there's no way to tell which is which though!

The OP may not drive or have transport, either, and be offering them for collection only because she can't drive them to people or may not be able to afford petrol to go round playing Argos. Other peoples' situations are not her problem.
Sansaplans · 20/03/2021 17:13

Honestly it's more hassle giving stuff away, everything I've offered for free has had so many people messing me around, the same items for £££ have sold and been picked up promptly. Or you could see if there's a refuge nearby that collects stuff or something?

Brainfogmcfogface · 20/03/2021 17:57

People are awful on market place. I used to deliver as live in small area and saved me waiting in, but have driven to peoples houses and they’ve just not answered the door and then blocked me. I’ve now given up (and I’m poor so could really do with the money!) and now just give away to charity or leave outside with a “free” sign.

Jammiedodged · 20/03/2021 18:02

I always charge even a small amount as giving things away attracts time wasters. When they collect I just say it’s free.

TopCatLuther · 20/03/2021 19:32

I actually don’t mind delivering as I have a new baby that likes to nap in the car - but I definitely mind the tone in which I’m asked!

Had 4 messages in quick succession the other day from someone wanting a baby item:

  1. is this still available?
  2. Need it delivered.
  3. After 5 pm tonight.
  4. Address.

I offered to drop it off the next say, as could see from her profile she was a young, lone parent - got nothing back 🤷‍♀️

Marketplace shoppers seem to operate in a different dimension!

willibald · 20/03/2021 19:37

@TopCatLuther

I actually don’t mind delivering as I have a new baby that likes to nap in the car - but I definitely mind the tone in which I’m asked!

Had 4 messages in quick succession the other day from someone wanting a baby item:

  1. is this still available?
  2. Need it delivered.
  3. After 5 pm tonight.
  4. Address.

I offered to drop it off the next say, as could see from her profile she was a young, lone parent - got nothing back 🤷‍♀️

Marketplace shoppers seem to operate in a different dimension!

I just block people who do that; don't respond at all.
Wondermule · 20/03/2021 19:38

Yep, list for free and all the choosy beggars come out!

howoldhowold · 20/03/2021 19:43

I agree this is very cheeky, however I've got rid of lots of things on marketplace for free and not once has anybody ever asked if I can deliver! It must vary by area.

Knitterbabe · 20/03/2021 19:47

Some people are chancers. I have a friend who helps at a food bank, one clients said she couldn't carry the bags home and had no transport, so friend rang her husband and he picked the food up and delivered it using his own car. When he got there the woman’s DP was home; his new 4x4 was on the drive.

VodkaSlimline · 20/03/2021 19:48

YANBU. I also just block/ignore requests to deliver when I've said collection only, requests for info about the item when I've already included all the details in the advert, and messages in languages other than English.

EveryDayIsADuvetDay · 20/03/2021 19:52

I'll occasionally offer to deliver if the item is bulky, the location is convenient, and it fits in with a day I'm using the car (congestion charge).
TBH, it saves waiting in for someone to collect (not too much of an issue at the moment).
But if anyone asks or expects me to deliver, I'm more likely to ignore and block.

KirstenBlest · 20/03/2021 19:56

I give things away, and always say 'Collection only'.

Rude responses get ignored. Polite ones don't.
Polite replies don't always collect, and people often don't read the reply properly.

It's nice when someone collects it and are grateful for it.

Biscuit9224 · 20/03/2021 19:56

People are so frustrating and fake the p*

People shouldn’t expect free items to be delivered (unless you’ve offered this)

Also I would say first come, first serve or the first person who who states an actual time to get it first. Too many time wasters.

People are very rude!

I had a lady message me asking for something I had a few interested in saying that she had to be first in line for it 😂

dcb2 · 20/03/2021 19:57

Admittedly it wasn't a free item but I listed a shirt and jumper on FB marketplace this week. I received a text message, no hello or anything other than simply "I do nOT want the purple jumper". Okay, thanks for the feedback....

Wanderlust20 · 20/03/2021 19:58

I put things on Gumtree all the time for free and the amount of CFs never fails to astound me! Wanting delivery, wanting me to post... The whole point is you get it for free in exchange for local collection!!

AnneElliott · 20/03/2021 19:59

Cheeky beggars! Certainly if it's free you go and collect it yourself. Anyone who is rude is ignore and offer it to someone else with manners.

pollylocketpickedapocket · 20/03/2021 19:59

Yes very cheeky. Don’t give away for free, if good condition sell them and stick the money away for your kids. That’s what I do.
I’m not mean and honestly, if I thought someone genuinely needed something I’d be the first to help but every time I’ve done that I’ve been met by cheeky fuckers taking the piss. No .

Higgeldypiggeldy35 · 20/03/2021 20:00

I would find a women's shelter and offer them the lot. They'll probably send someone to collect and then you've helped people who ar deserving and not these cfs that are contacting you. Honestly some people are so entitled.

Wanderlust20 · 20/03/2021 20:00

Also had someone give me bad feedback because I wouldn't post cheap IKEA ceramic vases!! For free?!

greeneyedlulu · 20/03/2021 20:01

Its rude especially if you've stated its collection only. I have given stuff away for free and dropped it off but purely for my own selfish reason of wanting said items out of the house quicker because my house is teeny so it helped me to do this.

pollylocketpickedapocket · 20/03/2021 20:03

@Knitterbabe

Some people are chancers. I have a friend who helps at a food bank, one clients said she couldn't carry the bags home and had no transport, so friend rang her husband and he picked the food up and delivered it using his own car. When he got there the woman’s DP was home; his new 4x4 was on the drive.
I sell all my dds stuff on, last week had a woman message me telling me she struggled to feed and clothe her kids and anything I had would be appreciated. When I went to drop stuff off(which she was paying for!) not only a detached house but a Mercedes on the drive! Scrotes like that ruin it for the genuinely needy .