Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask if you give stuff away for free

120 replies

Youcanbesweet · 19/09/2021 17:28

I give lots away and people always say I should sell stuff but I honestly can’t be bothered with how picky people are even over items that cost a £1.

OP posts:
ToykotoLosAngeles · 19/09/2021 17:31

I do unless we're talking something I can get £30 for. Normally just leave it out front with "free" on a sign Grin

Thehogfatherstolemycurry · 19/09/2021 17:32

Yes I'm on the local recycling and gifting sites, they're ace, I give loads away but I've also had plenty free stuff given such as books and school uniform. It's good for the planet and the budget.
I cba selling stuff.

SoupDragon · 19/09/2021 17:33

I do.

I simply can't be arsed with the faff of selling things!

Eileen101 · 19/09/2021 17:34

I do. I do try to sell stuff, but if it doesn't sell after a while, I'll fill a charity shop bag or advertise it on Freecycle.

Mandalordeloris · 19/09/2021 17:34

I do if its not worth the faff. Usually if it is something valuable I would pass it onto friends or family anyway. For free.

MaskingForIt · 19/09/2021 17:34

Depends on your motivation. My motivation is keeping stuff out of landfill, so I am happy to give it away free. If someone wants it free and wants to sell it on for money then they’re welcome to.

VickyEadieofThigh · 19/09/2021 17:34

@SoupDragon

I do.

I simply can't be arsed with the faff of selling things!

Exactly, me too.
NuffSaidSam · 19/09/2021 17:35

I do. Can't be bothered with the hassle of selling stuff normally.

cervixuser · 19/09/2021 17:35

Yes, I give to charity shops or leave it outside the house

ParkheadParadise · 19/09/2021 17:37

I do
Definitely couldn't be arsed selling things.

MayorGundersonsDogRufus · 19/09/2021 17:37

Yes, I recently relocated from another country and tried to sell lots of stuff ahead of the move, and OHMYGOD the faff. People are like... I'm coming to see it on Tuesday and then no actually, we can't come today, can we come on Thursday instead, oh, I'm going to be half an hour late, and actually can I bring my husband to look at it on Saturday? Yes, we want it, but will you take 50% off and then oh, I'm going to ghost you and you'll never hear from me again....

Would much rather give stuff away fro free or take to charity shop.

QueenAdreena · 19/09/2021 17:38

I often advertise things for a nominal sum, as I find lots of cheeky fuckers crawl out of the woodwork for free stuff, but when people act reasonably and turn up to collect when they say they will, I just give it to them for free.

Rossetti47 · 19/09/2021 17:39

I do. I’ve just downsized and basically gave away my house. Always have given lots away though, I love a good edit.I did consider selling this time, but after being offered £50 for a perfect Calligaris dining table and 6 chairs on Fleabay I decided to give it all away, the hassle of dealing with such twattery is too dispiriting.

CornishTiger · 19/09/2021 17:39

Some I do. Some I sell.

Recently I was selling a nice bed. No one wanted it for weeks even when reduced. As soon as it was reduced to free loads of messages. I ignored the give me your address and I’ll come tomorrow types. I gave it to a person who asked politely if it was still available and if so could they be considered for it. They collected at a mutually convenient time and messaged to say they were running late. As it was this persons husband had helped us in a road rage incident years ago and I realised the link after arranging collection. Good karma.

The grabby entitled ones that message rudely and those who ask for delivery don’t a look in these days. I don’t mind delivery if asked for politely and I can but to send. I want this. I’m at x estate I’m in today if you drop it in don’t get a reply!

desperate4spring · 19/09/2021 17:41

We have massively benefited from the generosity of others over the years so yes we give things away all the time, once we've finished with them.

JustFrustrated · 19/09/2021 17:41

I mix and match

Gave away a full uniform set the other day, enough so the parents didn't have to buy anything but shoes.

But sometimes I'll sell, it'll depend really. Our local FB groups are active and good for selling on.

bellabelle1994 · 19/09/2021 17:41

Yes I always do, I've been in a position where I've needed either free or extremely cheap items and now I'm in an okay position I always think of past me and what people need.

QueenBee52 · 19/09/2021 17:41

me too... Ive given away tons of stuff over the years.. never asked for a penny.. I also couldn't be bothered with the Faff of selling 🤣

MazzleDazzle · 19/09/2021 17:41

I used to give everything away, but now I’m 50/50. I give away clothes & shoes, but if it’s a household item or a quality kids’ item that I can get £20+ for, I usually sell it. Arranging collection times is the biggest pita, so sometimes I say we can deliver and get my DH to drop everything off! I usually do a cull and sell everything over one weekend.

I know what you mean though. I only sell things if they are in as new condition and aways keep the price low, so that I can get rid of it quickly - almost too good a deal to let pass you by. Still I get people messaging silly questions back and forth and it’s sad how many women say ‘I’ll just have to check with my partner’.

vampirethriller · 19/09/2021 17:43

Yes, I use the Olio app, I've got some bits free that way as well

MazzleDazzle · 19/09/2021 17:43

Gave away a full uniform set the other day, enough so the parents didn't have to buy anything but shoes.

This reminds me, I once offered school uniform items for free - some with tags - and the first reply was ‘I’ll take these. Can you deliver?’. No please of thank you! CFs.

peruse · 19/09/2021 17:44

I do - I have a charity collection every couple of months, they collect basically everything and anything (as long as it’s in good condition) so it’s much easier than the hassle of Facebook, eBay, etc and obv proceeds go to charity

WellTidy · 19/09/2021 17:44

Yes, it’s way too much hassle to try to sell anything locally. In the last six months, we’ve given away a huge wool rug, two sofas, nearly new school uniform, nearly new teen trainers, cushions, loads abs loads of books and wall canvases for small children’s rooms.

I couldn’t even give away a brilliant sofa bed, which was such a shame as it was fantastic quality.

The things that I do have luck selling are children’s clothes in brands like little white company, Boden and frugi. I sell them on the specialist brand Facebook pages and don’t ask a lot for them. They tend to fly.

bigbluebus · 19/09/2021 17:44

Have only sold a couple of things on Facebook market place but can't really be bothered for the small amount I get. Usually give everything to the local children's hospice charity shop.

ThinWomansBrain · 19/09/2021 17:44

yes - charity shops or freecycle

most freecycle recipients are delightful.
one that tried to swoop on everything, with more and more elaborate reasons for why she needed items - suspect she was reselling herself, and just ignored her replies if others asked for item.

I tried selling stuff on ebay once - too much hassle!

Demented potential purchaser plauging me with messages, drip feed with every potential measurement of a garment (I'd stated dress size and my height)
Another one where I'd stated collection only - she expected me to meet her, drive her to station, and then complained that I refused to accept return of the item because she'd not had the opportunity to inspect it properly. It would have cost her more for a cab than she paid for the item.

Swipe left for the next trending thread