Family and Ebay - My rant

**paelthom** · 08-16-2004, 02:07 PM

Mel has a dear brother who is struggling financially due to his previous employer downsizing the company. He is working but at a much less paying job. I have sold a few items on ebay in the past but never really made that much. Fast forward to yesterday.... Dear bro comes up to visit and brings a big plastic storage box full of old magazines - stuff from his childhood. He wants me to sell them on ebay and he'll split the money with me. I have allergies and they are so stinky and moldy. I was up with a headache all night over looking thru that box. I checked on ebay while he was at the house and showed him that we aren't look at much money. They are not in good condition and don't appear to be rare. Maybe, best case scenario, $100 and then take out the ebay fees. Of course, I'd never keep my part of the money (I'm guessing he knows this). He doesn't want to "learn" how to sell on ebay and doesn't have the "time". I work, will be driving over 2 hours a day taking and picking up dd from school, do the church bulletin and help with girl scouts; but he's sure I can squeeze it in.

I would be glad to help him out even though it's an inconveniece for me - but those mags are yucky. If I end up helping and then need a dr. appt. over breathing in the mold spores, I will really be in the hole.

I am going to ask Mel to put them in the garage to breath (too rainy to put them outside) and I'll check on them in a week or so. Or better yet, Mel can sell them on ebay and have a headache (he has a headache all the time anyway according to him).

Don't you just love it when family has no problem imposing on you?

Should my add read - For sale, box of old moldy mags that are not in good condition. Buy at your own risk. Not responsible for any hazardous fumes found within. Have been stored in damp basement for approximately 30 years.

**Guest1** · 08-16-2004, 02:41 PM

Somebody would bid & you know it!

If it's Mel's bro, let Mel handle it! (sorry - that wasn't very nice)

**kaykwilts** · 08-16-2004, 03:45 PM

I would not risk it if i were you since you said you had alergies. Tell him you will teach him and if he refuses to learn then it's his problem.

**Milhos** · 08-16-2004, 04:06 PM

If you talk up the mold and stench, you'll probably be able to sell it faster. LOL!

**guest2** · 08-16-2004, 04:20 PM

I'd just tell him that those magazines are a biohazard and are not allowed in your home!

**homesteadmamma** · 08-16-2004, 04:36 PM

This is a good time to learn to say "no" even if it is family. Tell him he needs to learn it himself. I'm sure he can pick a book up from the library and learn if he really wants to.

**paelthom** · 08-16-2004, 05:10 PM

Could it be that one day we come home from work and lo and behold our house has been broken in and the only thing they took was the box of mags.

**Dixie** · 08-16-2004, 05:14 PM

I have had family ask me to sell their stuff on ebay as well. I have no problem telling them certain things won't sell. Maybe I need to take a Dale Carnegie class or something.

**HandyMom** · 08-17-2004, 02:14 AM

Get out of it while you can! Just what you don't need is everyone wanting you to sell stuff for them.

I have a few boxes of clothes my mother tried to sell at our yard sale and she wants to try again next time. They're in my basement. But she also knows my sewer backs up now and then... so guess what I'm telling her?

**lucy979** · 08-17-2004, 03:38 AM

Pat, maybe somebody needs to buy mold for a science experiment.

Ok, ok, but really. Don't let him walk all over you.

**Darlene** · 08-17-2004, 07:21 AM

Bet you had nightmares about the planet mold and how the spore pod people were coming to invade your home.

I'm all for Mel handling this for his brother.

**Michelle** · 08-17-2004, 07:42 AM

Oooh I hate this. Dave's family does this to me too. It's not easy to say no--especially when your dh has no problem bending over backwards for family and when you're an inlaw.

Are you going to sell them, Pat?

Oh and if it were me, I *would* keep the money.

**paelthom** · 08-17-2004, 09:09 AM

I've checked the prices for similar items on ebay and we aren't looking at much money for his mess. As of right now, they are in the basement, spread out and the air cleaner and dehumidifier running full blast. Last night even Mel admitted they were junk. I may put them on ebay for him but as one huge lot so that I'd only have to do one listing. If they don't sell the first time, they go to the dump.