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Original poster

What's the weirdest thing you've been offered as payment?

40 replies

MySideOfTheStreetIsClean · 14/06/2023 21:27

Hi all,

I don't know if that question makes sense actually but what I mean is what have people offered you instead of cash for an item?

I'm selling a car for 2k and genuinely someone has messaged me saying they'll trade me the car for one of those XL bully dogs as apparently they're around the same price.

I politely declined but omg I was not expecting it but it also makes me feel sorry for the puppy, they obviously aren't bothered about where it ends up Sad

Any similar stories??

OP posts:
StaySpicy · 14/06/2023 21:29

My parents were offered camels for me in Egypt, aged about 16.

listsandbudgets · 14/06/2023 21:34

That's so sad. Poor puppy.

DP was ince offered shares in a company in lieu of payment after he'd done a job for them. Wish he politely declined and insisted on full payment. They weren't bust a few weeks later sonhed basically have had nothing

Hellocatshome · 14/06/2023 21:36

My DF exchanged a car for a train carriage when we were younger. The train carriage sat in the field which he owned behind our house for years. Initially we played in it and then when it started getting a bit tatty he kept chickens in it. My DM.was furious as she said it made us look like Steptoe and Son.

littleripper · 14/06/2023 21:41

@Hellocatshome 😂😂😂
I was once offered housesitting. She offered to bring her 3 kids and 4 large dogs stay whilst we were on holiday in return for £700 worth of GCSE tuition! She was a walking disaster and incredibly messy/chaotic so it was an easy no! We live in a very beautiful place on a smallholding so it felt like she wanted a free holiday and the lessons!
I have swapped loads of amazing things - tickets to see London shows, a weekend at centre parks and 2 cases of champagne!

Needmorelego · 14/06/2023 21:42

My Dad worked for a printing company back in the 80s and one time a customers bill was paid in 100s of small teddy bears.
They must have been a bunch of ‘seconds’ because they were all a bit wonky.
I still have mine.

Rosiepeta · 14/06/2023 21:44

Shepherds pie!... as a teen mobile hairdresser!

Did a lady's hair, and she insisted i stay for dinner with her.
Tesco ready meal and bisto
She kindly gave me a £10 'tip' and said we won't fuss over the hair bill as she paid for dinner !

Her bill was £40!
Would have fed my family for a week then!

PenCreed · 14/06/2023 21:49

Someone once gave my dad a whole salmon in an attempt to put off paying their bill (my mum had to gut it, she was NOT pleased). The bill was paid in the end though!

SarahAndQuack · 14/06/2023 21:51

I've done two quite different types of freelance work and have been variously offered:

  • the benefits of gaining 'experience'. Hmm
  • 'our devout prayers and healing'.
  • sexual favours (unwanted)
  • topsoil
  • 'the chance to work with an undiscovered genius' (my client)
  • 'a lovely relaxing day' (ie., while I was working)
  • 'such fun for you' (ditto)
  • a black-and-white photograph of a Cambridge college matriculation circa 1960.

Out of all of them, the topsoil was the most welcome and practical, if unexpected!

JaceLancs · 14/06/2023 21:55

ExDP (who I am still friends with) was offered an old Rolex to settle an unpaid bill for some work he had done restoring antiques
Best deal ever - it’s now worth tens of thousands

BluebellBlueballs · 14/06/2023 21:57

I used to babysit for the director of the mcvities factory and would get a fiver and a bag of the reject biscuits
Some were quite nice like where the chocolate coating was extra thick as the choccy machine had overdone it

Royalbloo · 14/06/2023 22:01

Old dresses

Sculptures, which I was assured were "priceless"

A clapped out old motor home

But nothing alive!

Royalbloo · 14/06/2023 22:02

And a friend was given two Damien Hirst pictures in exchange for a business debt. Worked out well for him!

Royalbloo · 14/06/2023 22:03

BluebellBlueballs · 14/06/2023 21:57

I used to babysit for the director of the mcvities factory and would get a fiver and a bag of the reject biscuits
Some were quite nice like where the chocolate coating was extra thick as the choccy machine had overdone it

Jamie Laing's dad?

Sunnydaysareuponus · 14/06/2023 22:03

Once cleaned a house for a regular customer and got my usual money plus a bin liner full of tea bags!!
Didn't have to buy any for 15 months!

Sunnydaysareuponus · 14/06/2023 22:08

Actually took a pic! Back in 2019!

What's the weirdest thing you've been offered as payment?
Naaaaamechange · 14/06/2023 22:11

@SarahAndQuack I was reading through your list thinking “I’d have taken the topsoil”!

I paid for some building work with my second-best Mercedes

SarahAndQuack · 14/06/2023 22:19

Naaaaamechange · 14/06/2023 22:11

@SarahAndQuack I was reading through your list thinking “I’d have taken the topsoil”!

I paid for some building work with my second-best Mercedes

Grin

I love both your response, and the fact you have a second-best Mercedes!

LakeTiticaca · 14/06/2023 22:30

Hellocatshome · 14/06/2023 21:36

My DF exchanged a car for a train carriage when we were younger. The train carriage sat in the field which he owned behind our house for years. Initially we played in it and then when it started getting a bit tatty he kept chickens in it. My DM.was furious as she said it made us look like Steptoe and Son.

This made me laugh 🤣🤣

BunnyBettChetwynnd · 14/06/2023 22:35

I've been paid in logs for gardening and in cream, diesel and trout for relief milking.

MonumentalLentil · 14/06/2023 22:39

A fake designer scarf and a pair of ear-rings. I actually liked them and the fake label fell off the scarf which helped as it was then just a scarf with no pretentions.

ProudThrilledHappy · 14/06/2023 22:39

Naaaaamechange · 14/06/2023 22:11

@SarahAndQuack I was reading through your list thinking “I’d have taken the topsoil”!

I paid for some building work with my second-best Mercedes

Does your best Mercedes have a bumper sticker that says “my second best Mercedes is a trade tool”?! 😂🤣😂

As a teenager I used to babysit for a neighbour who tried to short change me a couple of times. On the last time I sat for her she came home hammered and tried to pay me with a box of condoms - I was 13. My mum went round the next day to get my money and wouldn’t let me sit for her again!

PriamFarrl · 14/06/2023 22:43

My dad was a farrier and used to get paid in cheese by one farm, eggs by another and beer by one chap who owned a brewery. Dad would take the eggs and cheese to the village shop and trade it for stuff we needed.

ilovepixie · 14/06/2023 22:47

Helped a butcher out once and was paid in sausages.

coffeedrinkers · 14/06/2023 22:48

My landlord offered to clear a small rent dept I had with him if I'd have sex with him, literally tried to stick his old tongue in my mouth. I was 22 he was in his 70s.

Simianwalk · 14/06/2023 22:49

I swapped a reflexology treatment for fixing our shower

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