To ask if this is some kind of strange scam?

[Merryoldgoat]

I’m really perplexed.

I do a variety of crafting and post on FB now and then. I did a practise blanket and posted a pic to discuss pitfalls etc. It turned out well but I learned a few lessons so I was pleased. But I said on my post that I now had a blanket I didn’t need so did anyone know where I could donate it?

A lady responded that she collects baby stuff for an orphanage in Africa and she’d love it. Job done. Happy to help. She DMed her address. I chatted briefly and asked if she’d like some other bits and bobs I was going to donate - all very good condition and she said yes.

She’s given me an address that doesn’t exist! I looked at her FB page. She posts a daily request to ‘friends’ to help with donations but she only has 15 friends. No other activity other than the odd inspirational (!) meme.

I don’t understand how this is a scam? Getting people to send stuff to a non existent address? It’s just odd.

I’ve messaged her to ask but I’m reluctant to send it now anyway.

Any thoughts?

I wouldn't send anything, I agree it sounds dodgy. How strange.

I think I’ll just send to a clothes bank as I originally planned.

Sorry, I can't help with the potential scam thing but perhaps Woolly Hugs could make use of the blanket instead?

It’s not ‘woolly’ so would they still want it? It’s patchwork.

Put them online for a local family or the nearest charity shop.
Yes it is a scam I'm not sure how it works.
I was selling an expensive handbag and received a email from a company in Africa asking me to post bag and they'd forward western union payment.
I didn't.

Are you sure it's not a new build? Someone I know has a new build and when you search for the address you can't find anything on google etc

As in you put the address into Hermes or similar and it doesn't exist? The 15 friends be only the ones that allow people they don't know to see them on Facebook ? I've no idea really.
It seems a strange scam if she can't actually get the item, personally I'd worry she might sell thing rather then send them on.

The postcode doesn’t exist and the road doesn’t exist either - could be spelling error but getting the post code wrong too seems off and surely you spell your address correctly??

I’m not really concerned about her selling them on - if someone is so broke they can make a few quid out of the clothes that’s fine.

It’s more I don’t want to post them into the ether.

It does sound strange if the address doesn’t exist. Could the ladies profile be locked down so you can see much of her posting history?

FWIW you sound lovely and generous for donating something like a patchwork blanket I can imagine how much time went into it. I had a small patchwork blanket my nana made for me as a baby (sadly my parents can’t find it!) but I adored it. Do you sell them?

I'd just assume it was someone strange thinking they're having a joke and block them. I had a listing on Gumtree and the same person almost daily would message under different profiles and say they wanted to buy the item and never show up. I knew it was the same person because they kept making the same weird spelling mistakes. People can be so odd.

I'm too nosey to let it go....if I were you I would say to her that the address doesn't seem to exist and has she made a mistake?

See what she says.

@cookiecreampie

I'd just assume it was someone strange thinking they're having a joke and block them. I had a listing on Gumtree and the same person almost daily would message under different profiles and say they wanted to buy the item and never show up. I knew it was the same person because they kept making the same weird spelling mistakes. People can be so odd.

That is so weird. People really are so odd.

If I were thinking like a scammer I'd try to get people to build up a feelibg of relationship with a particular charity before asking for donations. But a working adress would be necessary to send physical goods!

For a couple of years after my house was built the postcode wasn't recognised and i had awful problems with ordering online and postage. Although if you can't be sure i would certainly donate elsewhere

You can always donate it to project Linus. They give quilts to kids that are in hospital

@cookiecreampie

I'd just assume it was someone strange thinking they're having a joke and block them. I had a listing on Gumtree and the same person almost daily would message under different profiles and say they wanted to buy the item and never show up. I knew it was the same person because they kept making the same weird spelling mistakes. People can be so odd.

Definately odd behaviour :)

@tuttifuckinfruity

I'm too nosey to let it go....if I were you I would say to her that the address doesn't seem to exist and has she made a mistake?

See what she says.

Oh I’m totally nosey and have already sent that message before posting here! 🤣

Also thinking it could be a new build. Mine took ages to show up on any map or online address finder.

@PassMeTheWotsits I crochet and sew a lot of blankets so I will definitely keep this charity in mind. Thank you.

@LBunz I’m quite new to patchwork although I really like it - I did a little practise before making one from my sons’ old babygros and that’s what I was giving away. I only sew and craft for the joy of the hobby (and to clothe myself) so whilst I don’t sell I take commissions for family and friends but only for cost of materials.

Yes, Merry, WH take patchwork quilts too.

Details can be found here

I bet she lives in a new build, my address took about 3 years to show up on Google. It was just a field when you searched the nearby postcode and worked your way over

Following with interest! How odd!

This does sound strange! Another good use for your lovely creation would be to donate it to your local neonatal ward. The one where my twins were cared for used blankets constantly to put over the top of incubators to mimic night time/help with sleeping. They were also used to wrap the babies in for cuddles. Not sure if they'd still be accepting them in these covid-y times, but worth checking perhaps.

Probably a new build....I couldn't get a mortgage with Natwest because their credit check system told them my current address doesn't exist!

New build, my address doesn’t exist or postcode and we have been in 18 months