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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is it reasonable to return a broken freecycle item to the 'giver'?

40 replies

wonka · 23/07/2009 18:18

I answered a post in our local freecycle for a computer monitor., was delighted when I saw it was flat screen ours had started a small fire in the play room.
But when I got home and hooked it all up... not a flicker.. tis broken.
I wouldn't post anything broken or in poor condition.. Just things that aren't worth the listing/ paypal fees that somebody else should get use of.
I'd really love to drive round and leave it on her door step as I think LCD screens have to be disposed of in a certain way and I think I'll have to pay to get rid of it.. I know its probably a bit rude of me but is it unreasonable?

OP posts:
FabBakerGirlIsBack · 23/07/2009 18:20

I am surprised at myself but I would take it and leave it on their doorstep.

Lifeinagoldfishbowl · 23/07/2009 18:20

Just take it to the local tip.

Morloth · 23/07/2009 18:25

Have you tried turning it off and turning it back on again?

You get what you pay for IME.

fevernague · 23/07/2009 18:25

Check it hasn't got a cunningly camouflaged extra 'on' button somewhere on the flat edge round the monitor - not a raised button, one that you just have to touch - as well as the 'proper' on/off button on the back.

notanumber · 23/07/2009 18:26

I would repost it as an offered item and say very pointedly in your description that it is BROKEN, you got it from another freecycler but it is BROKEN, which you weren't aware of so you are offering it to someone who might be able to make use of it even though it's BROKEN.

Reiterate that it is BROKEN because you'd hate someone to have to come and collect an item that is BROKEN unter the illusion that it is not BROKEN because that's a bit unfair and rude in your opinion.

G'wan. Nothing like a bit of passive aggression.

Anyway, I bet someone will want it. Broken or not.

fevernague · 23/07/2009 18:27

(I was convinced a new flat screen monitor I had was dead as a dodo once because the on/off button didn't do anything, but that was before I discovered the other one on the front .)

Original poster
wonka · 23/07/2009 18:34

I broken, I brought it into the IT blokey at work..
I know you get what you 'pay' for but if it had been advertised as broken somebody with some know how would prob have taken it and not me?
I just wouldn't do that to anybody!

OP posts:
Original poster
wonka · 23/07/2009 18:37

I like it notanumber maybe thats the way to go!

OP posts:
Lifeinagoldfishbowl · 23/07/2009 19:10

Must agree with Morloth - you do get what you pay for - maybe it would be better to pay for a screen next time.

expatinscotland · 23/07/2009 19:12

Give it back? Are you for real? Take it to the local tip.

TheChilliMooseisPerplexed · 23/07/2009 19:13

I would email the person who gave it to you and ask (in pretend innocence) if there is a special way to turn it on, as you don't seem to be able to. Then see what they say.

ineedalifelaundry · 23/07/2009 19:19

I like morloth's approach

MiniMarmite · 23/07/2009 19:20

I've noticed that people tend to name and shame on our freecycle group. It is a system that works on the basis of trust and people should not be allowed to use it to get rid of unusable items. A broken monitor may be of use to SOMEONE, but not to you. The advert should have stated the condition of the goods.

If it were me I think I would send an email to the seller saying that you understood that it were a working monitor and that you should like to return it. If no joy then I think I would post to the freecycle group to say that this person is not a trustworthy freecycler.

ineedalifelaundry · 23/07/2009 19:21

sorry, that should have read -

I like notanumber's approach

no offence morloth!

MiniMarmite · 23/07/2009 19:24

Yes I like Notanumber's approach too

expatinscotland · 23/07/2009 19:25

I love how people are now so cheeky and self-entitled they even treat Freecycle like a bloody shop. 'I'm returning this item' . . .

Granted, I don't list items I know are broken on Freecycle, but luckily we have good mods who are supportive because if anyone sent me a message to say they were returning the item I'd tell them to go jump in a lake.

TheChilliMooseisPerplexed · 23/07/2009 19:26

Maybe they didn't know it was broken.

kazbeth · 23/07/2009 19:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Longtalljosie · 23/07/2009 19:28

The people who say "you get what you pay for" are just being silly. Freecycle works on trust. People who post broken stuff are just being rude.

Report him / her to the moderators, and then take the monitor to the tip.

Mintyy · 23/07/2009 19:29

Take it back. Its not your job to dispose of their rubbish.

mollyroger · 23/07/2009 19:29

actually, those say you get what you pay for - not true on freecycle ime....
My best freecyle items so far have included a stunning beechwood garden set with 'only' 5 chairs instead of 6...and an immaculate pine cabin bed.

most people here when posting something whih is broken, stress this in their posts or even say ''I have no idea whether it's working or not'' etc. Is rather unfair to treat people as a free waste disposal service.

notanumber's approach is a good one becuase there is more than likey someone out there looking for exactly your item

MiniMarmite · 23/07/2009 19:31

Plenty of people do want broken stuff so what's the point of offloading it onto someone who doesn't so then they have to get rid of it anyway? Defeats the whole point IMO.

MinkyBorage · 23/07/2009 19:32

definitely do what notanumber says.

I'm guessing you wouldn't be complaining if you went to the trouble of collecting something which was broken from freecycle then expat??

thesouthsbelle · 23/07/2009 19:33

fwiw I have a CRT moniter, 19 inch dell you can have if u want, brand new boxed (I assume it works we've never tried it but still in it's packaging.

expatinscotland · 23/07/2009 19:44

no, i wouldn't complain, minky. i'd assume they didn't know it was broken and take it to the skip.

but i also only take items that, if they are broken, you know just by handling it.