To think people shouldn't complain when getting something for free?

[thenewduchessoflapland]

Just that really;if you're getting something for free you shouldn't complain right?

Over the last 24 hours I've emptied the contents of my shed/storage and posted it for free on a local Facebook page;a free cycle sort of thing;some of the items were expensive as new.

The level of entitlement,rudeness and cheekiness from people has been unbelievable.I've just had a message from someone telling me off because everything in my post (I posted a bundle of items) wasn't in her box to which I replied she only sent me a screenshot of one of the items in said bundle asking for that item and then told she didn't want what I've given her.

I've had multiple begging messages even though group rules ban those sort of messages.

I've had verbal accuse with swearing and disgusting insults because I didn't "pick them".

And one item which was large and heavy and I've specified a van is needed;they wanted to come in a car and cut said item up on my driveway and do multiple trips and I said no.

I've waited in this afternoon for someone who didn't turn up and then told me they were coming tomorrow instead to which I told them I'd be letting the item go to someone else as they've wasted my time which I felt was unreasonable.

About 85% of things I was getting rid of has gone and I'll be taking the rest to a charity shop because I can't be doing with dealing with these people.I won't ever be listing things on these free groups again either.

I advertised a basic, but working and decent condition washing machine for free a few years ago, stating it was strictly collection only.

I still remember one woman getting really cross that I wouldn’t deliver it.

She even asked why I didn’t have a car. I didn’t feel the need to explain that whilst I had a car I wasn’t strong enough to manoeuvre a washing machine into it.

A very pleasant couple came to collect shortly after, and gave me a lovely bottle of wine, as well as thanking me profusely.

Easier to go to the tip and dump the lot

At least then you don't have to deal with the dregs of society

What a stupid thing to say. Public bodies have a responsibility to give out items in a particular way to particular H+S standards, that is nothing to do with whether the 'poor' can compromise or not.

A lot of people are nuts. I've learnt to block / ignore anyone who doesn't ask sensibly.
I put an item on facebay the other week and got a "where u?" from a woman. FFS.

@bellac11 can public bodies not have things checked before giving them out? It is ridiculous to spend money hand over fist because those who have hit hard times have to have brand spanking new.

My DC had so many hand me downs and cast offs because they were available and we had more sense to spend when spending wasn't necessary.

I thought in 2022 we were all supposed to be more sustainable.

Why would you begrudge looked after children brand new equipment @RosesAndHellebores ?

*having /being bought new equipment?

I put a token amount on things and just add them to local groups, not marketplace. It significantly reduces the nutters

Best thing to do if you want to give away free is put them outside your house them announce it. Go back out later and if its not gone take it back in.

That way you don't have to.

I charged a token amount the last time I got rid of stuff. It calmed the craziness down.

Some people are just very entitled and can’t fathom that they aren’t the centre of the universe. Tale as old as time unfortunately.

I had a big clearout before our house move last year and put a bunch of stuff on free fb groups and olio - fantastic as people would just come and collect and then it was gone. Majority of people I interacted with were polite and friendly, but you get some who would send abrupt messages and get annoyed if someone had got in before them. One person was outraged I wouldn’t drive 10 miles to drop off a free item for them. Can’t imagine how they navigate the world.

@Underscore21 I didn't offer stuff for looked after children, I offered it generally. I don't begrudge them new, I question why it was necessary when perfectly acceptable, high quality used things were offered that families with lots of money were happy to have.

I remember that poor people can't compromise.

It is well known that baby things (such as prams) shouldn’t be bought second hand! I’m astounded that you thought social services would take them. Compromising on your child’s safety is one thing that gets people in trouble with social services in the first place!

You sound like a terrible snob. Far worse than the “poor people” you look down on.

We're you offering your sofa because you didnt want to take it down the tip.
Who wants a sofa that's been ripped by a cat?

@RosesAndHellebores
Social services' client base is looked after children or children on the at risk register, who may go onto become LAC. I'm not surprised the social worker you spoke to was snotty with you.
Also, why the need to mention being on personal terms with a director of Warburgs? Your post reeks of snobbery - awful.

I offer things on our local Facebook buy nothing group quite frequently and never have any problems apart from occasional no-shows. It's because the group is very well moderated and any rudeness or grabbiness would result in the person getting kicked off the site. In terms of no-shows, when I post something in the group I state that if someone doesn't turn up when agreed I will just offer it to the next person and I haven't had any trouble doing that, either. The people I've given things to always seem very appreciative which is nice (unlike charity shops which sometimes act like they're doing me a big favour taking my stuff).

Our local baby bank won't take second hand donations anymore either, I get it with prams, cots, car seats. But immaculate vests, grobags etc surely they could be good for someone? I have managed to give them via a colleague to a scheme for Ukrainian families. I would never give anything tatty or damaged. I'm happy to have second hand things in good condition.
I've also had the complaints about free stuff on FB listed for free a huge bundle of DS' summer clothes at the start of summer all in nice condition no marks or bobbling etc next m&s etc a woman came for a bag for life full then complained there weren't enough 'girlie things', DS wears bright primary colours and neutrals not camo and dinosaurs. She turned everything upside down and left it all screwed up then left it!

we put everything on gumtree for £5/£10

That seems to get rid of the entitlement. In fact people are usually delighted to receive it cheap.

We are happy for anyone to have it for free.
Sometimes dh will offer to drop it off if they don;t live far away, the £10 more than covers the fuel. Everyone happy.

I gave away some size one nappies on Facebook market place. When the last arrived I also gave her 2 or 3 items of unisex newborn clothing BNWT because I was only going to take them to the charity shop!!
She said "oh I'll message you again when I know what I'm having and if it's a boy ill have all your clothes off you!"

Other clothes were NEVER up for discussion!

What's wrong with a 2nd hand pram

I understand about car seats

People who scour the "free stuff" listings are often dealers in secondhand goods. I've had guys turn up in transit vans full of old junk, checking over my old junk ... Frankly I'd rather a charity have it than give them a chance to make a quick buck!

@RosesAndHellebores social services don't want the risk of being sued if they pass on something that is faulty and a child gets hurt as a result. People are far more likely to sue SS than they are an individual person. It's not surprising they have to be more risk adverse than the average person buying second stuff.

I'm not on FB but have been using freelycycle (now an app called TrashNothing) for a very long time with no issues.
May be, it depends on the offered item.

"Free" definitely brings out the worst in these kinds of people

I've experienced similar when selling on depop for actual market value...people can be very picky, don't read the description and were generally annoying and entitled

*Freecycle