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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To Expect to Receive Clean Stuff?

31 replies

Applefruitcake · 19/04/2021 10:57

So I have been buying more second-hand items recently (eBay) and this has really put me off... About half of the items I've received have been varying degrees of dirty, with the worst one being covered in mud, with a mixture of what looked like hay and pet hairs all over it.

Now, of course I'm not expecting them to look like new. I'm not expecting ironing, dry-cleaning or anything else like that. I'm not even expecting them to be freshly washed if they don't look dirty. When Im selling my own used items, I always make sure to wash any clothing / fabrics and wipe down anything plastic / metal. Personally, I would feel ashamed to send anything without cleaning it.

Am I expecting too much?

OP posts:
Sexnotgender · 19/04/2021 10:58

YANBU. When I see adverts that say - “could do with a clean”. So fucking clean it then!

romdowa · 19/04/2021 10:59

Nope and I honestly cant understand how people dont die of shame giving people dirty stuff. We were recently given some baby items that stank of weed and were walking with the dirt. Thankfully the smell came out with a good clean but I found it so disrespectful

imalmostthere · 19/04/2021 11:00

Yanbu- I wash and iron all clothes I sell on or pass on. Same with cleaning toys etc - it's just grim and lazy to send it out with someone else's filth all over it!

eatsleepread · 19/04/2021 11:01

YANBU

CherryHug · 19/04/2021 11:24

YANBU at all. I got a top off ebay last week, it was filthy, the seller had written their return address on the package, so I sent it back to them! It's discusting and there is no need for it.

CrazyOldBagLady · 19/04/2021 11:27

Yanbu, in fact I think it's in the eBay t&cs that second hand clothing should be laundered.

CirclesWithinCircles · 19/04/2021 11:40

I've put YABU, for the simple reason that buying second hand used clothing dirt cheap off ebay doesn't come with the same guarantees in buying cheap new clothing. If you don't want this risk, don't buy second hand clothes off ebay?

Different if its expensive stuff or proper, somewhat valuable vintage or maybe specialist sports clothing of course!

Thatisnotwhatisaid · 19/04/2021 11:41

When I see adverts that say - “could do with a clean”. So fucking clean it then!

I always think this Grin, Facebook marketplace is the worst for this.

BanningTheWordNaice · 19/04/2021 11:44

YADNU - I sell a lot of clothes on eBay and some sell very cheap, if you don’t have time to clean them don’t be a skank and sell them. Hope you get a refund for any that can’t be cleaned.

PussGirl · 19/04/2021 11:44

Revolting not to send clean stuff. I'd be embarrassed to do that.

My SIL returned my maternity wear she had borrowed unwashed & smeared in makeup round the neck. Not entirely unexpected as she's a skanky cow.

Wexone · 19/04/2021 11:46

your are not being unreasonable. I sell alot of stuff on Ebay etc. And i make sure everything is cleaned, ironed and well packed. I also buy alot on Ebay etc and i have never received anything that not clean or disgusting. Clothing that i buy i washed anyway as i find that it stinks of fabric conditioner which i hate. So a wash or two gets rid of that

SpiderinaWingMirror · 19/04/2021 11:51

Agree fb marketplace is the worst.
Items covered with grime and shite and they want paying for it? Free cycle fair enough if you've found a buggy at the back of the garage and want to see if someone could use it before taking it to the tip but jeez.
Especially shoes

dropthedeadhorse · 19/04/2021 11:53

YANBU. I buy a lot of used clothes on eBay and they are usually fine but I recently received a bundle of toddler clothes with a bunch of cat hair on them. Of course I wash them anyway but yuck! I have also recently bought a couple of larger garden things on Facebook marketplace that could really have done with a hose down - it was fine because I did it myself and they weren’t expensive but why not get things in a decent state if you want to sell them?!

Incywincyspinsters · 19/04/2021 11:54

@CherryHug

YANBU at all. I got a top off ebay last week, it was filthy, the seller had written their return address on the package, so I sent it back to them! It's discusting and there is no need for it.
Won’t you be out of pocket for the top and the postage?
Nanny0gg · 19/04/2021 11:57

@Thatisnotwhatisaid

When I see adverts that say - “could do with a clean”. So fucking clean it then!

I always think this Grin, Facebook marketplace is the worst for this.

And when they add 'but it'll do someone a turn' I could smack them.

Clean it you patronising git!

Nanny0gg · 19/04/2021 11:59

@CirclesWithinCircles

I've put YABU, for the simple reason that buying second hand used clothing dirt cheap off ebay doesn't come with the same guarantees in buying cheap new clothing. If you don't want this risk, don't buy second hand clothes off ebay?

Different if its expensive stuff or proper, somewhat valuable vintage or maybe specialist sports clothing of course!

Nope. EBay expect things to be clean and any marks or defects clearly mentioned
loveheartss · 19/04/2021 12:02

YANBU.

I ordered a bundle of clothes for my daughter and they were described as used but good condition.

When they arrived, well over half have got stains on them and I'm not talking small marks, these were great big yellow looking ones on the front.

It's just a bit grotty isn't it. Obviously, if it's clearly mentioned that's one thing but it's wrong to not point out if there are defects or marks.

Nsky · 19/04/2021 12:24

I. Up from eBay always clean

DaphneHastings · 19/04/2021 12:35

@CherryHug

YANBU at all. I got a top off ebay last week, it was filthy, the seller had written their return address on the package, so I sent it back to them! It's discusting and there is no need for it.
hope you claimed your postage back via paypal (think you can do 12 a year). i would have opened a case and asked for them to provide a prepaid label
YellowTwinklyStar · 19/04/2021 13:15

If it's not dirty in the picture or mentioned as dirty in the description you can request a refund even if they say no refunds.

Original poster
Applefruitcake · 19/04/2021 17:09

@Sexnotgender

YANBU. When I see adverts that say - “could do with a clean”. So fucking clean it then!
Actually, I think I would prefer for them to be honest, at least I'll know to avoid 😅
OP posts:
LongHotSummerJustPassedMeBy · 19/04/2021 17:16

Sellers really need to inspect the items closely in daylight to see if there are any stains that don't show up otherwise. I've bought a couple of items recently that were stated as being used but in excellent condition with no stains. However the items actually had a couple of small stains that showed up in daylight.

willstarttomorrow · 19/04/2021 17:18

I have absolutely no idea why someone wanting to make some cash selling on would not at least bung it in the washing machine first and take a few seconds to run the iron over it. Or wipe it down if not clothing. It is something most people would do out of courtesy and common decency if donating it. To be honest, after paying the huge postage costs, I have found most used clothing on eBay to be poor value for years now. I rarely look at it for clothing these days as you can usually get similar in sales/promotion online with cheaper postage.

Original poster
Applefruitcake · 19/04/2021 17:35

@CirclesWithinCircles

I've put YABU, for the simple reason that buying second hand used clothing dirt cheap off ebay doesn't come with the same guarantees in buying cheap new clothing. If you don't want this risk, don't buy second hand clothes off ebay?

Different if its expensive stuff or proper, somewhat valuable vintage or maybe specialist sports clothing of course!

"Dirt cheap" is a bit subjective when it comes to second-hand items though. Yes, I am saving money compared to buying new but the items are only worth as much as buyers are willing to pay for them. I don't think that the price really matters anyway, its just common decency. Even if I was giving something away, I would still make sure that its clean.
OP posts:
Kokapetl · 19/04/2021 17:43

I think if you are giving something away for example on freecycle, it's ok for it not to be clean as long as that is made clear. I've had chairs to get rid of and the main purpose is keeping them out of the dump and people were fine with this. They can clean or refurbish them.

Likewise, if someone gives me some clothes for they kids, I don't mind if it needs a wash.

If you are paying for something though, yes, it should definitely be clean! Surely they get bad reviews on eBay if they do this regularly?