Is this acceptable?

[mom23boyz]

There is a family who lost their home on my Freecycle boards. She has listed that she is giving a TON of stuff for free. I received several things from her today that I wanted for my personal use however this evening I was thinking about the fact I can't find a job. When Iwas on disability DH and I were discussing what I could do from home to make extra money and stay home with my DS's. He had suggested selling at the swap meet. I am considering offering this young lady $20 to haul her stuff away as she stated what is not gone by tomorrow will go to SA. Is this appropriate. I have included a copy of the email I prepared to send her. Your opinions are appreciated.

Thank you so much for all of the stuff I picked up today. I was wondering if you be willing to allow me to take everything you have for $20. The catch is I am out of work and unable to find a job and therefore am trying to start a "business" of buying things and reselling at yardsale/swap meet type sales.I can't afford large investments and therefore am looking for small ones to get started. I would come with a trailer and remove everything. If this is not something you feel comfortable doing I completely understand. I want to assure you that everything that I already received from you was for my personal use ONLY!!!
Thank you so much for your time,
Denise

[frugalwarrior]

I guess if she hasn't already promised it to the Salvation Army but I don't know if all that detail is necessary. People here just hand out business cards to take the stuff after a sale.

[Judi Dial]

I think it she's comfortable with it and you're comfortable with it, then that's okay. There's an antique auction house here that will pick up your "junk" for free...huh huh, and they do it from the goodness of their heart, NOT!

If you offered to haul all of it away for FREE and then made a profit selling it, then I'd say no. But you are offering to pay for it in good faith AND you're telling her what you intend to do with it. I think the only people who have to be okay with that are the two of you.

Judi

[Momto2Boyz]

I owned a furniture resale business for awhile and this is what I used to do. We gave out business cards at auctions and garage sales and estate sales and offered to clean out everything after the sale. I was always upfront with people about it, and some didn't like giving their things away for someone to resell, but most people were just happy not to have to deal with it and haul it somewhere themselves.

I say go for it. The e-mail is worded well. However, you might want to mention to her, that the things you recieved from her already were for your personal use, so she doesn't think you "scammed" her out of the things you got from her already!

[ml2620]

She'd get more money from the tax deduction to SA, than with the $20 you'd be giving her. I hate to say it, but I think it's kind of preying on the weak to buy everything for $20.

[prairiewife]

I agree with other posters, I think if the two of you are comfortable with this then it should be ok. I like your e-mail, your honest about what you want to do and are offering what you can given your own financial situation.

[Jamielane]

Well I think its ok if she knows what your doing but I kind of think 20.00 for a trailers worth of merchandise seems awfully cheap. Obviously the lady is having a rough time or she wouldnt be in this position at all so I would try to make a more generous offer if for no other reason then good karma.

[spyzvixxen]

I think you're doing more than most people would. Where I live, every man is out for himself. Honesty is the best policy.

It's a shame she didn't have more time to hold a garage sale or sell the items via classifieds for a quick buck.

[MommyBliss]

I think if you guys work it out between the two of you it sounds like a good deal to me.

[AmyBoz]

If she agrees to it, I guess it's fine.

Our Freecycle specifically states that you may not resell anything you get. I realize that there are going to be some people who say it's for personal use, and then turn around and sell it. However, that isn't the case here, as you are being up front.

Keep us updated. I'll be interested to hear her response.

[mom23boyz]

I appreciate everyones responses. I would and will NEVER collect a Freecycle item with intentions of selling it. I also will freecycle or donate to thrift store the items I collected to begin with that may not work out. The items I would feel comfortable selling are the ones she has agreed to use for that purpose.
Ok here is her response:

How about I give you everything after salvation army goes through it tomorrow. The only thing I need from them is a donation receipt and if they don't pick up everything you can haul it out. And keep your $20. My heart goes out to those who have lost their jobs but are still driven to get up and work. I'll let you know end of day tomorrow.

She called today and there a few things left behind so I will go get them. Clothes,older treadmill, futon,light fixtures.

[strezzed]

Great compromise in the end!

[AmyBoz]

Glad it all worked out!

[frugalfranny]

Where I live, every man is out for himself.

Hey spyzvixxen......you must live in my city!! I would guess in this town probably 50% of freecycle would get re-sold! And the rest are asking for free stuff on CL.

Thanks to mom23boyz for the update. Nice to now how things work out.

[phoeny_moonstar]

I'm glad to hear that everything worked out. I know a lot of people on my freecycle board snap up the awesome items quick and about 1-2 days later the same item is on Craigslist? Hmmm!