Or should they have asked?

[Electricbug321]

First time poster. My parents sold their almost new car to my DB for a big discount a year ago.

When visiting DP recently, DB and SIL show up in a new car. It turns out after DP asked them that they had sold the car my DP sold them (at a profit) and bought a brand new car.

AIBU to think they should have at least mentioned it to DP, or offered to sell the car back to them? They have effectively made a profit off a kind gesture from my parents. Either I or DS would happily have bought the car off them (and are considerable less well off than they are) if they told us or DP they were looking to sell it.

Scummy ungrateful chancers

I think once given, its that persons.
They needed the car and your parents kindly made an agreement with them. They clearly used it for a year and then their needs changed. It would have been weird to say I don't like this car anymore, so I don't want it, have it back.
It sounds like the old car helped fund the new car, so in many ways the original gift is still being used, and they are still benefiting from it.

Despite this I see why you are annoyed, it feels wrong, and I'm not knocking the visceral emotional reaction you have (I'd have it too), but technically they didn't do anything wrong and I wouldn't say anything to them or fall out with them over it.

I have to say that it does leave an unpleasant taste. However, once a gift is given, it’s up to the recipient to do with it as they please. I know you think they could have acted differently but this is what they chose, rightly or wrongly.

@negomi90

I think once given, its that persons. They needed the car and your parents kindly made an agreement with them. They clearly used it for a year and then their needs changed. It would have been weird to say I don't like this car anymore, so I don't want it, have it back. It sounds like the old car helped fund the new car, so in many ways the original gift is still being used, and they are still benefiting from it.

Despite this I see why you are annoyed, it feels wrong, and I'm not knocking the visceral emotional reaction you have (I'd have it too), but technically they didn't do anything wrong and I wouldn't say anything to them or fall out with them over it.

I don’t think we will fall out over it, it’s just a bit of a shame.

DS (who works in NMW job) or me and my DH would have liked to buy it off them. I think it stings slightly more because DB and DSIL have very well paid jobs and didn’t need the monetary saving. I know DP feel put out by it but we are very much a ‘sweep any awkwardness under the carpet and pretend everything is fine family’.

@BigYellowHat

I have to say that it does leave an unpleasant taste. However, once a gift is given, it’s up to the recipient to do with it as they please. I know you think they could have acted differently but this is what they chose, rightly or wrongly.

I think you’re right. It was up to them. I think it doesn’t help my DP had to directly ask them about the new car they pulled up in, and drag it out of them what had happened to the previous car. They were acting a bit sheepishly about the whole thing.