Slightly OT, but ACK! I don't know what to do!!!

[Karenj2]

I'm on several yard sale sites on FB for my area, and after cleaning out our basement & having two garage sales, I've been selling the larger items online that didn't sell. I have two bed sets, plus one more bed frame posted right now, plus our Living Room set and our twins' cribs, etc still to go up.

Anyway, I haven't had much interest in what I'm selling, until today when a guy PM'd me to send me pictures of all the stuff I was interested in selling. When I asked why, he said that he refinishes furniture, I have a dining room set that I would love to refinish, so I asked him if he had a site, but he said no.

I then looked him up online to see if anyone had reviewed his work, and it looks like he's a registered sex offender for rape!!!

Do I go forward with the sale, because it's a quick way to get rid of it all (plus he might be reformed and trying to move on with his life), or do I make up an excuse and not sell to the guy? (He's going to have to pick up the furniture at my house.) I have 3 girls 6, 3 & 3.

Need opinions!

 

[dcraythorn]

I wouldn't not have him meet at your house. Be very cautious and do not tell him where you live. I don't think that a rapist is ever "cured"!

 

[Marionnette]

I'm on several yard sale sites on FB for my area, and after cleaning out our basement & having two garage sales, I've been selling the larger items online that didn't sell. I have two bed sets, plus one more bed frame posted right now, plus our Living Room set and our twins' cribs, etc still to go up.

Anyway, I haven't had much interest in what I'm selling, until today when a guy PM'd me to send me pictures of all the stuff I was interested in selling. When I asked why, he said that he refinishes furniture, I have a dining room set that I would love to refinish, so I asked him if he had a site, but he said no.

I then looked him up online to see if anyone had reviewed his work, and it looks like he's a registered sex offender for rape!!!

Do I go forward with the sale, because it's a quick way to get rid of it all (plus he might be reformed and trying to move on with his life), or do I make up an excuse and not sell to the guy? (He's going to have to pick up the furniture at my house.) I have 3 girls 6, 3 & 3.

Need opinions!

IMO, no sale is worth your safety. Don't have any further contact with the guy. He may be reformed or he may not be. Do you really want to risk your safety and that of your girls to quickly sell some furniture? I don't know why you would even consider it.

 

[mustlovecats]

Absolutely not. I would not contact him again.

 

[Alesia]

Selling anything on Facebook that someone has to pick up at your house is pretty foolish. If you can't meet in a safe, neutral location, don't sell it on Facebook or Craigslist.

 

[Allons-y!]

How is this even a question??

 

[CruisingKate]

No way would I allow a known sex offender in my home for a sale. I'm sorry but I don't understand how this would even be a consideration - no sale is worth it!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I'd sooner put it to the curb for the trashmen to pick up. Even if your dh stayed with you for a meeting, he'd then know where you live. Sooner or later your dh has to leave for work.
You don't know how violent this guy might be.

 

[disnerella]

That risk has no reward. I'd donate, drop off or trash it and close that chapter!

 

[DISbot]

If you're asking the question, you've already answered it. You don't trust the situation, go with your gut. If you don't go with your gut, go with a neutral public location, without the kids, and with backup (good advice for any online transactions).

 

[ellie05]

The only way I would make this sale is if I could meet him in a neutral place with my husband and no children. No way I would have him come to my house!

 

[antmaril]

No.

 

[Luvstotravel]

On one hand you run the risk of rape. On the other hand, you may make a few dollars. Wow, I can see why you aren't sure of which to choose.

 

[DisneyMandC]

WHAT?! Girl. No.

 

[MariMama]

If he has your full name, he already knows where you live.

 

[bababear_50]

I'm on several yard sale sites on FB for my area, and after cleaning out our basement & having two garage sales, I've been selling the larger items online that didn't sell. I have two bed sets, plus one more bed frame posted right now, plus our Living Room set and our twins' cribs, etc still to go up.

Anyway, I haven't had much interest in what I'm selling, until today when a guy PM'd me to send me pictures of all the stuff I was interested in selling. When I asked why, he said that he refinishes furniture, I have a dining room set that I would love to refinish, so I asked him if he had a site, but he said no.

I then looked him up online to see if anyone had reviewed his work, and it looks like he's a registered sex offender for rape!!!

Do I go forward with the sale, because it's a quick way to get rid of it all (plus he might be reformed and trying to move on with his life), or do I make up an excuse and not sell to the guy? (He's going to have to pick up the furniture at my house.) I have 3 girls 6, 3 & 3.

Need opinions!

Hi Hon
This is what our grade 8 internet safety police officers at my school would say
Through social media you have given out the following formation
1. you are female
2. you have three daughters (children)
3. general idea of your home location
4. you are trying to sell something
5. home set up via pictures sent

No amount of money is worth your safety.
If he PM's you again say ,,
"Articles sold" you don't need to give him an explanation.
Be safe
Hugs Mel

 

[Karenj2]

Y'all pretty much confirmed my gut reaction... I'm generally computer savvy - usually I check to see if we have any mutual friends, and for the most part my dealings with online sales have been other moms. My husband was so blasé about it, though, which made me doubt my gut reaction.

I feel bad - not because of the loss of a sale - but because I feel (as a Christian) that people deserve second chances, and I'm judging him based off of two pictures that look similar and an Internet search that provided no details. BUT, I don't want to take any chances with my life or my family's life...

 

[SMD]

I feel bad - not because of the loss of a sale - but because I feel (as a Christian) that people deserve second chances, and I'm judging him based off of two pictures that look similar and an Internet search that provided no details. BUT, I don't want to take any chances with my life or my family's life...

Contact Facebook, they'll have access to additional personal information and determine if it is the same person. If he is a registered sex offender he's not supposed to be on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/help/210081519032737

 

[Allison]

This would not even be a question for me.

 

[Stacy's a freak]

Nope. It is no one's job (whatever religious affiliation) to give strangers second chances or to trust every person one sees. There are bad people out there and you should not put yourself or your family in any kind of potentially unsafe situation. Do you pick up hitchhikers? I see no difference. Actually, inviting a stranger into your home or to front yard or garage is worse than picking up a hitchhiker. Hitchhikers are probably less likely to be preying on motorists whereas bad people regularly use social media as a tool to scam others.