Conundrum. To buy or not to buy (from a racist!)?

[ratatouille99]

I'm due to pick up an item from Facebook marketplace tomorrow. Something hard to come by for a good price and that my son is very excited to collect. I made the mistake of clicking on the profile of the person in buying it from, and turns out they are really rather racist (joy). I'm nervous now to go. I am a black woman, and whilst I don't feel unsafe, I find it uncomfortable. My white friend has offered to come with me. Would you still buy the item? Or would you let your child down? (He is a 6 year old and has autism so the meltdown will be big...)

Wtf did I just read!!

No, I don't ask them, that would be a bizarre thing to do. But if it's clear that someone is then, yes, I would steer clear. It's spelled you're by the way.

If I knew somebody was racist I would not give them my money (obviously you don’t always know).

My son would have to do without.

Wow!!

Your post makes no sense. The poster says if she wouldn't knowingly buy from a racist. I've yet to meet any self declared racists. Lots of people, you probably included, will readily say they're Not Racist, while at the same time talking about putting "British People, meaning white people, first.
If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck...

Park around the corner and ask your friend to collect. If they ask why he can say that your child has fallen asleep and if you stop the car for long he will wake up.

That sounds scary as a sole black woman. Do you have a white male friend/ family member who could accompany you?

The fact that one of the posts the OP saw was of a sniper pointing a gun would definitely raise the alarm bells.

This ^
Your child needs the item but you don’t need to put yourself in a difficult situation.

Generally, it does. And makes you pretty thick as well.

the majority of these “anti illegal immigrants” people don’t even realise that asylum seekers are not illegal immigrants.

Did you read the post? O/p is taking a white male friend with her.

I am a WW and think that I wouldn't want to give money to someone with these views - I also think its a risk to park up outside (which it really shouldn't be).

As another poster said, could we help you find the item somewhere else instead? If it was postable, I'd definitely help to get it and post it to you if I could.

I really find some people's views abhorrent and don't understand them at all x

Agree with this. Don't go, OP - it will upset you. He sounds appalling.

If your friend can go that would be great. I hope you get the item for your son.

But don't feel bad on principle of buying from this awful man. Get what you want out of him, but avoid having to deal with him if you can.

This

Posting images suggesting they should be shot or attacked by lions is.

I think it usually does. An image of pointing a gun at asylum seekers definitely does.

I would be loathed to give this wanker my money tbh.

@ExpressCheckouti have a similar dilemma. A local business owner has outed himself as a horrible racist and Tommy Robinson supporter on his social media. Unfortunately my DC love the facility he provides (don't want to be too specific here but think entertainment)and were looking forward to going again. I liked it too but having discovered the owner's views I am put off. He is smart enough not to let it spill over into business pages as we are a very diverse area and he can't afford to lose half his potential customers but I know and it's horrible. There are no similar businesses as an alternative either. Youngest DC is being assessed for autism and I haven't even mentioned it to him. Teen is outraged and doesn't want to go again. Racism has never gone away but it is now on the rise big time, I haven't seen people so boldly expressing their offensive views since the 80s.

This makes me so sad. For you, for your son and for pretty much everyone else in the world who doesn't share these pig headed ideas. Take your friend with you. I bet he is one of those keyboard warrior types, one who wouldn't dare say anything to your face. Be safe but rock up and be proud of who you are. It makes my blood boil that a total stranger can make you feel like this.

Turning it round a bit - if you're getting a bargain and they're underpricing the item I'd consider it a great option for a pleasing win over a racist git.
Plus your child will get joy from the item that would likely piss the seller off of they knew. It's subversion I reckon.

very tricky situation! In this instance, you know without a doubt that he is anti immigration, so obviously you don’t want anything to do with him. But what about all the dentists, doctors, mechanics, administrators etc etc etc that are anti immigration? There’s obviously a fair number walking among us, how do we avoid giving them our money/ dealing with them?
It’s clearly only the very overt ones that most of us see.

I try my hardest to source the item elsewhere or deal with my child’s meltdown.

I’m white British and would still not want to buy from this openly racist person! Sharing pictures of asylum seekers being shot is not being “anti illegal immigration”. It’s downright disgusting! Some of the people of my race and country fill me with despair!

Yes, you’ve hit the nail on the head here. Covert anti immigration sentiment is rife, but when it’s overt, we don’t want to be around it.
people that are open about it are thick.