Yard Sale Ethics Question

[Ronstang]

Just remember that in situations like these no matter who is wrong or right the best course of action is to treat the other person like you would like to be treated if you found yourself in the same position.

 

[velillen]

Some good tips and ideas from people. I think due to the time it has taken her it is mostly on her. you cant be expected to wait 2 months from receiving money for something.

What i would (most likely) do in your situation. i would notify her that a refund is not possible. The items are still hers at this point. I would then tell her she can sell them items and have the buyer pick them up from you. Put a time limit on it, say 2-4 weeks. if she really wants the money she will sell them and all is fair (ie you sold you legit items and got your money, she just resold HER items). If however she doesnt sell them i would then tell her you then take possession of the items back as they are on your property. From there you have a "good guy" or "bad guy" route to go. You can either be done with her, sell the items and keep all the profit. or you can offer to give her say $75 of what they resell for as a refund, the rest for having to store the items.

 

[hoyaguru]

I'm the only one curious to see a picture of this wishing well?

It looks kind of like this:

http://www.u-bild.com/projects-outdoor/371.htm

except the bottom is solid, there are no spaces between the 2X4 pieces, and the roof is regular roof shingles (I used to make them so that the roof would match the shingles on the customer's roof). They are VERY heavy, it took 3 strong men to pick them up and move them when I sold one. The one in my yard was a "sample" I made to show people what they would look like. The hand crank works and raises or lowers the bucket, the bucket is hand made. I told the woman who bought it that she would need at least 3 strong men to move it, and at the time, she said that would be no problem.

 

[angminas]

This thread reminds me of the trolls in The Hobbit. All this babbling and so little of it to the point.

Here are the numbers which solve your problem: $175 and $375. If the items are worth anywhere near $550, you should be able to resell them for much more than $125. Give the lady back $125, keep the extra. No lawsuits, no bad blood, you get compensated for your trouble, everyone wins. Make sure you know how to advertise stuff.

Dishwasher- This dishwasher is in great shape. Last time I saw a dishwasher like this sell, it went for $175. I want to unload it quickly, though, so I'm only asking $125. Please bring cash and a truck...I've already had inquiries about this, so I can't hold it. Best call soon if you want it- first come, first served.

Wishing well- It's hard for me to get rid of this, but I really need the money. I made it myself. This is the display model I used to show people what they would be getting when they ordered a well from me. It's six years old and still looks great, so you know it will last. I usually charge $375 for these, but I need this gone, so I'll let it go for just $150. Considering the size of the smile on your wife's or mother's face when she sees this in her yard, I think that's a great bargain.

As above, please bring cash, a truck, and at least two or three strong friends- this well weighs about 600 pounds. I am unable to help move these items due to a back injury- you will be responsible for the loading and delivery.

Please note that I cannot hold these items- they must be moved at the time of sale. Thanks, and good luck!

 

[Kanalua]

I would just send the money back...why hassle over $125...if you guys aren't moving or don't have some reason why you need those items gone, just give her the money back. Life is too short for any trouble over $125.

Time to fire up Craigslist.

 

[AndroidVageta]

I would just send the money back...why hassle over $175...if you guys aren't moving or don't have some reason why you need those items gone, just give her the money back. Life is too short for any trouble over $175.

OP doesnt have $175 to spare, as noted in the posts above...hince why this is an issue.

Why dont you send the OP $175?

 

[DrPizza]

I would then tell her she can sell them items and have the buyer pick them up from you. Put a time limit on it, say 2-4 weeks. if she really wants the money she will sell them and all is fair (ie you sold you legit items and got your money, she just resold HER items).

Nooooo! You don't want someone else arranging to have people come to your property. That leaves you open to all sorts of problems.

But, see Anginas post. Also, I've never seen a wishing well that I didn't think was tacky in someone's yard. But that one you linked to the picture of is very nice looking! I even bookmarked that page.

 

[nickbits]

Send her a bill for storing the items

 

[nick1985]

Taking a check for $125 at a yard sale is a no-no

 

[pontifex]

it's funny because you know if one of you was in the same position as the woman you guys would be bitching up a storm that the seller wasn't giving you you're money back.

 

[nick1985]

it's funny because you know if one of you was in the same position as the woman you guys would be bitching up a storm that the seller wasn't giving you you're money back.

I wouldnt get myself in such a dumbass position

 

[DrPizza]

it's funny because you know if one of you was in the same position as the woman you guys would be bitching up a storm that the seller wasn't giving you you're money back.

I haven't even seen a fleabag or ZaneJohnson post that bad.

 

[Kanalua]

OP doesnt have $175 to spare, as noted in the posts above...hince why this is an issue.

Why dont you send the OP $175?

Then just explain the situation to the "should-have-been" buyer that you can pay her, but just not at this time...geez...do you want me to dial the phone, too?

If she refuses or is an a**hole about it there's not much she can do about it...

 

[waggy]

why are people saying the right thing to do is to pay her back? WTF did he do? the right thing to do would be for her to pick her shit up. thats it end of story.

Now you can be nice and give her the money back. then you have to go to all the hassle to re-sale it. this is business not a charity.

i like #3 and tell her that you will give her any money back if you sale it. but make sure she understands that you will not LOSE a penny doing it. PUT it in writting and make sure she signs a copy.

if she does not like that send a certified letter saying she has 30 days to pick it up. if she does not its abandoned and you will dispose of it.

 

[Perknose]

Just remember that in situations like these no matter who is wrong or right the best course of action is to treat the other person like you would like to be treated if you found yourself in the same position.

:thumbsup:

Kindness and mercy do not have to be deserved to be given. Only the smallest of people think so.

You can be kind, you can be merciful, not because the other person deserves it, but simply because you are a big enough person to freely do so.

Those who are able to do this gain an incredible breadth and richness of heart and spirit.

You can lose everything in this life so fast it would make your head spin, but you can never lose who you are.

WHO you are is the one thing that can never be taken from you.

It's called CHARACTER. It seems to be in very, very short supply these days.

 

[Taejin]

return the money, you still have the items

 

[BoomerD]

A few minor details we don't really know, such as, was she on disability when she made the original purchases, or is that a result of her surgery(s)? If the latter, I can easily understand her wanting/needing the money instead of the goods, however, this in no way obligates the seller to give her a refund.

If I believed her story, I'd probably tell her that I was collecting unemployment and have already spent the money, BUT, if she wanted, I'd try to resell the items and IF I got the full amount for them, I'd give her a refund...if I didn't get that much, she wouldn't get the full refund...or she would be welcome to come get them and try to sell them herself.

If that wasn't good enough for her, tell her to come get her shit off your property or you'd start charging her $10 per day for storage...retroactive to the date of the sale.

 

[TheMouse]

business is business. she is not a repeat customer. do not treat her like one.

 

[dbk]

Should have posted a sign in the yard sale like, "All sales are final, cash only, pick up and go, no deliveries". :sneaky:

This

 

[dabuddha]

it's funny because you know if one of you was in the same position as the woman you guys would be bitching up a storm that the seller wasn't giving you you're money back.

After almost 2 months? Hell no. I wouldn't want everyone on here calling me a dumbass for trying to get my money back

OP: I'd offer to try to sell the 2 items and say you'll give her up to what she paid ( you pocket any profit).

 

[BarkingGhostar]

snip

Employ the Costco philosophy. If you buy something and leave it in the store then come closing time it goes into the trash dumpster.

 

[Gillbot]

Tell her you'll relist them for sale for her and give her whatever may come of that sale. That way, it's not on you to move them at "full price" again and she may get something back out of it.

 

[Kyteland]

I'm not going to try to make more money off of them, I feel that THAT would be unethical, but I'd be more than happy to sell the items for her.

Why is that unethical? If I were in your situation I'd offer to sell the property for the lady, keeping anything you can get over $125 as a commission. That way she gets her money back and she knows you got as much as you could for it. As long as you're open with her about what's going on there's not a problem.

 

[sourceninja]

I would not refund the money. I would tell her to come get them. It's not your fault.

 

[SP33Demon]

Send her a bill for storing the items

This.

Give her half back (or 125 - whatever you charge per month to store it) and offer to sell the items for her if she cannot pick them up. Once you cashed the check, the items legally became her property.

Tell her that you will continue to charge her to store it and that she should allow you to sell it on craigslist for her. Give her the original 125 back once it sells, and keep anything over that as a sales fee.