Selling cast-offs

[Lesterall]

My nephew was visiting his friend when said friend decided to chuck out two black sacks full of clothes, belts, shoes etc and put them out for the rubbish collection. Nephew was horrified, he suggested that the friend should put everything on EBay or similar, because a lot was designer stuff and hardly worn. Friend said he couldn't be bothered, so nephew asked if he could take the bags and friend was fine with that.
After a little bit of research we reckon nephew stands to make somewere around £1k by selling the goods. My brother says that when he gets the money he should give some to his (lazy) friend. I think not, I think nephew should just get on with it and say nothing to friend. If it wasn't for him the whole lot would be landfill by now. What do the MN vipers think?

Is the friend rich?

If your nephew has done the donkey work of listing/taking photos etc and his mate was throwing it out, it’s his, same as if he’d sold his own stuff. If his mate willingly gave it to him because he couldn’t be bothered, that’s fine, legally. Morally, he could give his mate a percentage if he wanted. I’d be having a word with the mate re giving to charity, tho, if he’s just chucking out stuff. I’ve got 2 black bin bags for charity plus a load of stuff for sale on eBay/Vinted.

Im 100% with you. How old are they? Do the lads parents know he's done this? Or is he an adult nephew??

Given that your nephew told the friend of the plan re ebay, I think it's fine. Personally I'd have given it to charity

Thanks both.

I don't know if the friend is 'rich'. He's obviously rich enough to buy nice stuff and then throw it away hardly used.

I'm not going to have a word with anyone, it's not really any of my business what his friend does.

They are young adults, so can make their own decisions.

Re giving to charity - my nephew isn't exactly flush, so I'm not sure why he'd give it to charity. It would be different if his friend had made the effort to do that.

I think if friend was stopped from putting them in the actual bin, he's relinquished all rights to the profit.

The money is your nephew’s with zero guilt.

I cannot be arsed to sell stuff. Happy to give it away and if recipient wants to sell good for them.

It's nothing to do with the adults, just the nephew and friend.

You can't possibly say he's going to get a thousand pounds anyway. Things don't always sell.

I didn't say he would get a thousand pounds. I said 'stands to make somewere around £1k'. Having sat here with him researching I'd say £1k is a conservative estimate and he'll be likely to make that if he offers everthing at very reasonable prices, rather than higher prices that other sellers are asking. Whatever he gets, I think he deserves it and it's all his. 😀
Edited to add... just one of the belts is a sought after brand and retails at £440!

I think if he sells and goes over the £1000 in a year he will have to pay tax. Bit of shame we've just rolled over the tax year otherwise there would be no problem, it could have been half in one tax year and half in another. Something to be aware of though.

I think that’s for profit - selling your own items for less than you paid, you are actually making a loss

But they weren't his items, so pure profit

I said the mate, not your nephew.

https://www.litrg.org.uk/sites/default/files/240109%20OECD%20rules%20flowchart.pdf

Sorry, I was responding to -
Anotherdayanotherdollar · Today 13:35
Given that your nephew told the friend of the plan re ebay, I think it's fine. Personally I'd have given it to charity

If someone gives you something they are your personal possessions. They aren't goods brought or made specifically to sell on. That link I've posted above is to a very useful flow chart to check whether tax or no taxed.

I also meant if I had something of value that I no longer wanted, the charity shop would've been my first port of call. So rather than the friend putting it out for landfill. I think it's fair enough that your nephew sells it on and keeps the profit!

@PassingStranger

it would be everything to do with the other boys parents if they're still buying his clothes, belts, trainers. It's their place to decide how they're sold or donated. Not the child's.

The op says both are young adults

Totally fair for your nephew to keep all the proceeds. He's done a good thing by stopping the stuff going in the bin, the friend sounds very lazy and wasteful.

Your DB is a bit wet

Get your nephew to pretend to his wet fish
Dad he's given the money to his friend

His friend couldn't give a shit and clearly doesn't care or need the money

Well done to your nephew for not letting someone else's rubbish go to waste

Pity his dad had to go and piss all over it and make him feel guilty

Nephew to keep all proceeds

And lie to woke, wet, snowflake dad if need be

I am a bit dubious about just how willing your nephew's mate was to give him all that designer gear. Like how does a belt (was it Gucci or versace?) go out of fashion.

This smacks of exploitation or coercion.

If your nephew and his friends are minors, this could lead to some difficulties with the mate's parents or the police.

He is under no moral obligation to give his friend money. The clothes were given to him, and at that moment they became his property. He likely has a future in business, as a successful businessman I know started by selling his family's and friends' castoffs.