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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Friend says I'm a "del boy" aibu?

90 replies

sallypallu · 18/09/2022 22:46

Trying to make a bit of extra cash
I started looking on eBay at what's popular and noticed people were interested in Halloween items.
I bought some Halloween mugs from Poundland and listed them for £5 and all 4 sold.
I listed a candle from tk maxx for £10 and it sold and I only paid £4 for it.
I sold some boots I got last year in sale for £15 and I got them for £7
So far I've made £160
My friend thinks it's a bit cheeky
Is it?
Am I in the wrong?
Would you continue doing it ?
I state in the listing the brand etc so it's not like I'm not being upfront

OP posts:
DdraigGoch · 19/09/2022 08:37

As long as they're not falling off the back of a lorry, nor are they watergdamaged diver's watches, then it's fine.

BeautifulWar · 19/09/2022 08:47

Items in those shops are often limited in supply in the first place and sell out fast. SUltimately people decide what's a fair price by buying it or not.

Strugglingtodomybest · 19/09/2022 09:00

You are doing nothing wrong OP, it's just business.

SparklyOcean · 19/09/2022 09:03

Op, I love it! I can be exactly the same as you and I've described myself as a Delboy! Ironically, I'm a teacher by trade, haha. But I go to boot sakes, find cheap bits and bobs, then sell them on. It not only makes a bit of extra pocket money but it's quite satisfying too. Enjoy, you're doing well op.

Blowthemandown · 19/09/2022 09:09

@sallypallu I often see overpriced stuff on ebay. Onus is on the buyer to check the prices. Not your problem.

TheTeddyBears · 19/09/2022 09:16

How is it cheeky? It's what many businesses do and lots of folk do it on eBay too to make a bit of cash! There's folk that go to charity shops and car boot sales and resell online. I know someone that does that and can great profits at times! Keep doing it, it's great you've come up with a plan to make more money! I think they are a bit jealous!

I sell loads on eBay and have in the past bought lots of stuff to sell on at a decent profit. Like bought loads from secret sales when they sent me a great discount code and resold it all. Got the bags for £20 sold them for £50 each. I love it. I actually really considered starting a business on Ebay but fees are so high so I just wait until they send me offers for 80% off fees which they do a lot. It's just a hobby as it's hard to find the time now I have 2 kids and still work part time.

ilikemethewayiam · 19/09/2022 09:17

EfficientDynamics · 18/09/2022 22:56

Your friend is a plonker

🤣🤣🤣

Florenz · 19/09/2022 09:27

It's more to do with the 3 wheeled van that you drive about in OP.

Titsflyingsouth · 19/09/2022 09:28

It's called Retail Arbitrage and it's perfectly legal - although obviously once earnings hit a certain sum they have to be declared to HMRC. So long as you are describing your items honestly and not trying to scam buyers into buying something different to advertised, then there's nothing wrong with it.

Ultimately, it's financially tough times for everyone atm so whatever you need to do to keep the wolf from the door, frankly.

bellamountain · 19/09/2022 09:30

Haha no, people are willingly buying your items.! EBay could be accused of being Del Boys themselves with the extortionate listing and sold fees!

thecatsthecats · 19/09/2022 09:36

I sell a product that I realised no one else is selling, but that people do search for (I've just launched this week).

I priced up the components, added a margin, and looked at similar types of products - and realised that I needed to double my prices. Otherwise my product would be sitting in the cheap part of the site, when it's more of a luxe branded product.

Branded being the word - I have picked quality items, but still, they'll be paying me for having sorted them out.

MrsSkylerWhite · 19/09/2022 09:38

Mangetout!

DoctorManhattan · 19/09/2022 09:40

Good for you OP, I do the same myself on eBay regularly. It’s a free market and no one is being forced to buy your items.

With that said, I price things reasonably and don’t take the piss - despite my free market comment, I don’t have much love for the likes of those selling PS5s for £1000 on Xmas eve when they know someone desperate will end up paying it to keep their young ones happy at Xmas.

SherbetDips · 19/09/2022 09:41

All your doing ls proving people are stupid and will buy any old crap.

Soproudoflionesses · 19/09/2022 09:43

Marvellousmadness · 18/09/2022 22:58

If you feel good about it and still get a good night sleep ....

I couldn't. I wouldn't.

But it isn't like you're lying in your adds. You are just ripping people off. Not my style.

Really?
They don't have to buy it!

Good for you op.

MrsSkylerWhite · 19/09/2022 10:35

Marvellousmadness
If you feel good about it and still get a good night sleep ....

I couldn't. I wouldn't.

But it isn't like you're lying in your adds. You are just ripping people off. Not my style.“

A fool and their money are easily parted. There will always be idiots willing to spend on tat. More fool them.

went to the Manchester Christmas market a few years ago. Several stalls were selling £3 Lidl (with their label on the cellophane) iced gingerbread Christmas hearts for £10. Countless twits were buying them. No difference.

hotdiggetydog · 19/09/2022 10:59

Marvellousmadness · 18/09/2022 22:58

If you feel good about it and still get a good night sleep ....

I couldn't. I wouldn't.

But it isn't like you're lying in your adds. You are just ripping people off. Not my style.

Ha ha ha ha ha at this being your genuine opinion

Loics · 19/09/2022 11:05

It is difficult to make a significant amount of money selling on ebay, especially now lots of people are doing the same.
I work part-time and have my own business, my profit margin on most products is over £100, for the most expensive item, after taking away costs of materials and my time, I make over £200. It's not deceitful, it's a popular service and people know beforehand how much it costs, and pay wilingly.

TwinkleChristmas · 19/09/2022 11:07

It’s fine and it’s not unreasonable

but it is a bit Del Boy like.

SheWoreYellow · 19/09/2022 11:10

Are you really making anything once you’ve included postage, eBay fees and packaging?

PearlWithTheGirlEarring · 19/09/2022 11:20

Good work that!
Years ago I had a car that was impossible to buy accessories for in the uk. I discovered, completely by accident, that Poundland cargo nets fitted as if made for them and lots of owners were after them.
I sold loads, and not at a pound either.

Crack on with it!

Youdoyoutoday · 19/09/2022 11:20

Stop talking to your friend about your finances but it sounds like she's jealous. This is working for you so crack on.

Original poster
sallypallu · 20/09/2022 09:51

Tbh it's just a way to make the months a little easier.
That extra £160 is a lifesaver to me.
After bills I'm lucky if I have £150 left so anything I can make is honestly a life saver to me.

OP posts:
HannaHanna · 20/09/2022 09:55

I think it’s terrific! And I know this is happening when I buy things on eBay or anywhere online. You are making it quick and easy for people like me to find and purchase things we want without doing the legwork.

mamabear715 · 20/09/2022 10:04

Good for you!
I personally couldn't be bothered with all the faff of posting things off, but when I was younger, I definitely would have.
Myself & late DH were broke & wanted to take the kids on hols. I got the pink & green free ads paper (remember those?) looked for what people had advertised for in the 'Wanted' columns, & sourced them at car boot sales, added a little, & phoned them & sold things on.
Our best money making was collecting a load of granite setts that someone wanted rid of. We sold those on for £80 - a fortune in the mid-nineties! We still had to put the work in, so weren't ripping anyone off, and got to take the kids for a week in a crappy caravan by the coast! They loved it. :-)