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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Fabric page drama

46 replies

Sewingrita · 25/11/2021 10:49

I am a member of a fabric group on Facebook where the man who runs it has been stealing money and not providing fabric for orders. Some of these were placed months ago. He has mental health issues and a drug problem (I'm not sure what drug if it makes any difference) I have ordered from them before and everything has been good quality and very well priced.

He completely disappeared a few weeks ago and other people were desperately trying to send orders out to hundreds of people but his bank and Paypall have been frozen and he is being investigated for fraud. He has no money to send the orders out so is trying to sell more to get the money to send the older orders.

He is posting photos of his garage which is rammed full of fabric and I really want some. He is doing some packs of random cuts of fabric and it would be very helpful for making some Christmas items to sell I'm just unsure if IABU to buy from him and taking a chance at getting the fabric?

It feels disloyal to the others in the group who are missing a lot of orders but I craft for a side hustle and am desperate for some reasonably priced good quality fabrics to fill my shop with and with Christmas markets starting I really need more. So the big question! Am I being unreasonable or just outright stupid to think that I would ever even receive the fabric? Or is it ok to give it a try and hope the money can help others receive an their orders because he will have the cash to pay for some parcels to go out?

YABU - it's disloyal or stupid or you'll never get it so why try
YANBU - The order will probably get sent out and the money can help others get their order

*I am a very regular poster but have name changed

OP posts:
FortunesFave · 25/11/2021 11:32

How is a group selling like this? It's weird! YABU to try to get the fabric.

Original poster
Sewingrita · 25/11/2021 11:35

@FortunesFave

How is a group selling like this? It's weird! YABU to try to get the fabric.
I think you are right but oh it's so good and so cheap it's hard to match the prices it's £1 per meter. I think I can put the £20 as a business loss of it doesn't turn up
OP posts:
soughsigh · 25/11/2021 11:47

The price is too good to be true, that's why people haven't got their orders. Buy some fabric from a reputable source for your business.

SexyNeckbeard · 25/11/2021 11:48

I'm confused why you think you'll get your order when others haven't?

User2638483 · 25/11/2021 11:49

What makes you think he’d honour your order when he hasn’t honoured the others?
And I think your thinking about helping by Jim having some money to send out other parcels is a bit flawed, if that was the case, then he wouldn’t have money left to send out yours!

I know it must seem tempting but definitely steer clear! Leave the group!

User2638483 · 25/11/2021 11:49

Him not Jim! (Unless that is actually his name 😆)

BeardieWeirdie · 25/11/2021 11:50

I’m the same group. You won’t see your money or your fabric again. I would only buy if you were able to get to his garage and pay with the fabric on your hand. What do they say on here? When someone tells you who they are, listen.

inferiorCatSlave · 25/11/2021 11:53

Unless you can phyically go and pick the fabric up before you hand over the money - I can't see why you think your order would be fullfilled when others haven't - that's surley very risky stratergy.

I'd look elsewhere.

Eenymeanyminey · 25/11/2021 11:53

He's selling at £1 per metre to get in suckers like you who think £20 is worth the gamble because no one will touch him with a bargepole at normal prices anymore. That's a nice little £20 baggy for him and you'll never see a scrap of fabric.

But if you want to support the drug addiction scammer that's ripped off countless people before Christmas then go ahead.

ThinWomansBrain · 25/11/2021 11:57

but oh it's so good and so cheap
well, yes, that's probably because its stuff that either you or some other mug has paid for, but not had delivered Hmm

XenoBitch · 25/11/2021 11:58

I'm in the same group too!
Don't do it.

Northofsomewhere · 25/11/2021 12:16

If he's having to sell more items to fulfill older orders then he'll have to do the same to get you yours. I've seen this in another crafting hobby (except it was significantly higher priced items than a couple of £) and it very very rarely ends with everyone getting their items before the business either goes bust or the business owner disappears. You're already aware of the issues, while you presumably could afford to lose the amount you're willing to spend would it really be worth it on the off chance you actually got items you order in time? Why would you also support another very dodgy business owner (theft? Fraud? Dodgy selling)? If I was a potential customer who recognised the fabric I might even reconsider purchasing the item.

Original poster
Sewingrita · 25/11/2021 15:08

You are all saying what I knew deep down. Unfortunately I'm a few hours away and it's just not worth the drive unless I was buying a tremendous amount but my car isn't that big. Thank you everyone I'm just too drawn to a bargain I sometimes need to take a step back and look at why it's a bargain.

OP posts:
Original poster
Sewingrita · 25/11/2021 18:54

He has now changed his payments to after it has been posted. Does this change anyone's mind or am I still BU?

OP posts:
FestiveMayo · 25/11/2021 18:58

I think you are right but oh it's so good and so cheap it's hard to match the prices it's £1 per meter. I think I can put the £20 as a business loss of it doesn't turn up it's cheap to lure you in. It won't turn up. And even if by magic it did you're helping a scammer.

FestiveMayo · 25/11/2021 19:00

@Sewingrita

He has now changed his payments to after it has been posted. Does this change anyone's mind or am I still BU?
No. This is not a good idea.
FestiveMayo · 25/11/2021 19:00

STEP AWAY FROM THE FABRIC

RobertaFirmino · 25/11/2021 19:08

I craft for a side hustle and am desperate for some reasonably priced good quality fabrics

Crafting is NOT a 'hustle'. You are making items from fabric, not running with the county lines.

DimplesToadfoot · 25/11/2021 19:11

Read his comment again, it looks like he's saying 'you don't pay until after he's posted' but he's not, he's asking for payment after he's "packed it and labeled it". But he'll still have it in his possession so he still wouldn't need to send it and keep your money again. Of course you can't query this as he has his comments turned off and is kicking and blocking anyone who tries.

Steer well clear

MadeOfStarStuff · 25/11/2021 19:15

You’d have to be stupid to believe you would actually receive anything you order from him!

Stay well clear!

ProperTeaisTheft · 25/11/2021 19:19

Its cheap because it's all shite.

So YABU.

Totalwasteofpaper · 25/11/2021 19:23

@FestiveMayo

STEP AWAY FROM THE FABRIC
This.

If he is cash strapped how is he paying for postage of heavy fabric with no payment upfront!???

LolaSmiles · 25/11/2021 19:24

You won't see your money or fabric again.

He is showing you, and seemingly half the crafting community, what he is like so parting with money would be stupidity.

thebellagio · 25/11/2021 19:42

Have you joined the fabric scammers and information group on FB? There are so many scammers it’s unreal

FestiveMayo · 25/11/2021 19:51

@thebellagio

Have you joined the fabric scammers and information group on FB? There are so many scammers it’s unreal
I had no idea the crafting world was so dodgy!
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