Am I being savvy or cheap?

[NameChangedTimesTen]

So a few months ago I started posting on TikTok, I spent half my time on there anyway, so decided to start posting. Not sure how, but I actually started doing pretty well, had a couple of viral videos and then started advertising stuff to buy. I’m now at a point where I’m getting a lot of free stuff sent to advertise. Like a lot of free stuff! I’m getting at least 3 parcels a day. The more I advertise, the more I sell and the more I get sent. The thing is, I’m a single mum, two kids, working part time and money is tight. I’m not making loads, but everything helps at the moment.

so I’m now at a point where I’m being sent vouchers to buy things I want, as well as free items that they offer me. So I’ve basically started Christmas shopping. I’ve got stuff for friends, family, teachers, coaches etc. but I’m worried they’ll realise it’s free stuff and be offended that I’ve not bought them things. They’re getting nice stuff, the vouchers mean I can pick things that they’ll like, but I’ve not spent much money at all this year, and I’m feeling guilty. Like I’ve said, I’m single and on a tight income, so this has literally saved Christmas for me. But is it rude to give them things I’ve been given? Would you be offended if you’d spent £50 on presents for my kids and got a lot of (appropriate and honestly more expensive) free things in return? Should I buy a token gift too?

Well I would rather be gifted things I'd use regardless of how the giver had come by them. So if the people receiving them will appreciate the items then it doesn't matter if you bought them or were given them. Don't feel guilty, Christmas isn't about how much you spend, it's the thought that counts.

Are you supposed to make ads for the freebies though and actually try them? Or are they generic promo freebies with no expectations of social media posts?

I wouldn’t be offended.

You're being savvy!

I have a pal who was in a similar circumstance and I was bloody delighted to get some of the makeup and skincare stuff she got in her PR packages as a Christmas gift.

If they are things I would actually like I would have zero issues with them being free to you.

I just don’t want tat I don’t use.

As long as you're keeping records and declaring it as income - not an issue where the gifts come from.

Savvy and a good way of passing stuff on if it’s something you would have bought them anyway.
Be warned though, if any of it has come from Halara, Pixi, Missoma or Wild deodorant the recipients may know they were freebies - I’m seeing them being desperately shilled all over the place right now!

You’ll need to pay tax on the value of the gifted items, even when there’s no cash, so you will pay for it in a roundabout way if that helps!

Because I’m being given vouchers, I am picking things I know they’ll like. For example I’ve got a friend an expensive baby carrier, it’s worth more than I’d spend usually, but because it’s free it’s perfect for her and I know she will love it!

@TimeForTeaAndG i do make vidoes with the products, but don’t open or use the ones i will be gifting. For example, I’ve got a remote control car for a friends child, so I’ve done a video holding the box and discussing the features. I haven’t opened it at all, and this is totally fine with the shops who’ve sent it.

some products I’ve opened and used, but won’t be gifting them. One of the companies sent me multiple blankets. I’ve opened and shown one, but left the others in their packaging and donated to the local church for their Christmas homeless donations.

It isn’t free, it’s payment in kind. You are being rewarded for your service and work on SM. It is just that you are being rewarded in vouchers rather than cash.

I checked this and I pay tax on income but only pay tax on products over a certain value and if I’m keeping them?

I checked this and I pay tax on income but only pay tax on products over a certain value and if I’m keeping them?

This isn't true @NameChangedTimesTen

The vouchers count as income as do products as they're payment in kind. It's irrelevant whether you keep them or not.

Are you registered as self employed? Everything you receive with the expectation of promotion needs to be declared.

I had a friend who did this for me, she’s an influencer and so sent me a bunch of stuff from brands I didn’t know as a present for a special occasion. I actually loved it. It’s stuff I wouldn’t normally buy myself. She sent a nightcream and when it ran out, I went to try to buy one for myself - it was £80RRP!!!!! Just because you recieved it for free doesn’t mean it’s cheap :) I was super grateful she gave it to me, she could have kept it herself, especially as she’d have known how expensive it is.

But yes, it was obvious it was PR stuff she’d received.

i will say she isn’t a best friend, but an OK one.

Well you could sell it, and have the money. So it's no more "free" than any other income really. You're still giving something that would otherwise have been money in your account

You've only been at it a few months and you're getting at least 21 parcels of freebies a week sent to you?

Gosh.

It's not offensive to give unopened gifts that people will like.

I have to tell you, I'd be more upset that I was friends with one of those TikTok sellers 😉

Joking aside though, it MIGHT be a bit weird if your friend sees you making one of those commission paid, TikTok shop videos then her kid opens the very same thing. She'll know you didn't pay for it. But if that's not an issue (it wouldn't be for me, personally) then I say have at it!

@CandyCayne i know it sounds completely ridiculous, I can’t believe it either. I think it’s because it’s Christmas so brands are pushing stuff as much as they can? I’m expecting it to get a lot more quiet next month!

Yeah it does.

I don’t think it’s cheap but I do think you need to mindful if the gift you give them is a lot more expensive that you would normally give. Will the baby carrier friend feel awkward if she buys you something for a tenner?

Course it’s not offensive! You’re sharing your good fortune too - when a lot of people would keep nice & expensive things for themselves or even sell them to make a few more £. I think they’ll feel spoilt by you & if there are any that think they were just freebies you’ve given away, perhaps you should rethink your Xmas gift list. In this climate gifts of any kind are a luxury. Lovely quality ones from you should be graciously received imo OP.