selling something to a friend - ugh wwyd?

zoieglow

I'm not really sure what to do here. Kind of feel like I'm in an uncomfortable position. DH & I have something we need to get rid of. We were going to sell it on craigslist and could probably get $200-$250 for it pretty easily. However, our friends said they wanted it months ago. Being that they are friends, we said that we'd give it to them for $50 - a STEAL.

A couple months go by and they keep saying they want it but have to figure out how to pick it up. Finally I tell them we'll use my parents minivan and drive it up to them (35 min each way) when they want it because I'm starting to itch to get rid of it. Then they say ok, let us just get the money together.

Another month goes by, no response. I say look, I hate to be pushy but this thing is huge and I need to have this out of here by the 21st of November so I can start getting ready for the holidays. The husband tells me he'll have to talk to his wife to see if they can afford it right now. I know they're strapped but we're not rolling in it either and could use the money. Do I tell them to forget the $50 because they're friends or tell them to forget it altogether and list it on craigslist? I know they want it, I know that they haven't changed their minds. That's not the issue. It is 100% about the money.

buckin

List it on Craigslist. They can either come up with the money or not. They aren't very good friends to put you off for that long when they didn't have the money in the first place so they aren't deserving of it for free IMO.

ValentineBB

I think you can gently say that you totally understand money is tight, but that you need to sell it by x date, if not to them, then someone else.

Bubbalini

I wouldn't give it to them for free.  You're already giving them a huge bargain.  I would tell them you need to know by a certain date or you are going to put it on craigslist and try to get rid of it by the 21st.  If you can't sell it on craigslist by the 21st and you really need it out of your house then give it to them at that point.

FWIW, I would have asked for a lot more than $50 if I thought I could get at least $200 from a stranger.  But then again, I am selfish and probably not that nice to my friends. 

crownedbee

Honestly, I'd list it on craigslist now.  When you get someone that is interested and has the money and will come get it themselves, call your friends and say "Hey, I found someone who wants to give me $___ for the _____ and they want it on _____ if you don't have the money now then I'm going to let them come get it."

But I'm a biitch and if somebody wants something of mine they need to pay up or it's gonna be offered to someone else.

Poeia

Put it on CL.  Chances are they are never going to call you to tell you they have the money for it.

bensbabe

$50? They wanted it MONTHS ago, needed to figure out logistics, etc, but never kept in touch about wanting it or having other such problems until you brought it up?

I'd say list it. Tell them "someone wants to buy it for ___ amt & is willing to pick it up by ____ date. I can keep the offer I gave you for $50 & give you the minivan to get it outta here, but it HAS to be gone by Nov 21st. I'll give you until xx date to decide."

Honestly, if they have been putting you off for this long, something else will come up. And if you need the money that bad, I'd sell it on craigslist.

buckin

crownedbee:

Honestly, I'd list it on craigslist now.  When you get someone that is interested and has the money and will come get it themselves, call your friends and say "Hey, I found someone who wants to give me $___ for the _____ and they want it on _____ if you don't have the money now then I'm going to let them come get it."

But I'm a biitch and if somebody wants something of mine they need to pay up or it's gonna be offered to someone else.

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