Money to burn or just stupidity?

[disneysteve]

Someone just posted in our local Buy Nothing group. They are giving away a Bosch washing machine. Why? The dryer "died" so they bought a whole new set, washer and dryer.

Surely the dryer could have been repaired for less than the cost of replacing it. Those things aren't cheap.
Just because the dryer died, why replace a perfectly good washer?
If you did decide to replace the washer for some odd reason, why just give it away? Why not sell it?

I looked it up and it's a $1,400 washing machine.

People are either ridiculously rich (possible but unlikely) to be able to just toss things out like that or stupid and lazy (more likely). The latter would explain why so many people are broke.

[ua_guy]

People are either ridiculously rich (possible but unlikely) to be able to just toss things out like that or stupid and lazy (more likely). The latter would explain why so many people are broke.

I think some people are just able to move on from a washer/dryer and not be meaningfully impacted financially. A service call could take 2-4 weeks to complete between the initial visit and having to order and install parts, and that's a pretty big inconvenience to be without a clothes dryer for that long. And what does it cost? A service call is going to be $150-$200 minimum plus parts/labor, could be $500 or more total. How much is a new dryer? If they just replaced the dryer and not the washer, then the real horror: The set would no longer match! (I'm kidding, that's humor).

Depending on how old, they might get a couple hundred bucks for a washing machine. Listing a working washing machine for free will bring the craigslisters to your door, immediately. Poof, it's gone. Everyone can move on from the situation, and there's no expectation of quality, it's a free washing machine.

I think it's OK to do little things like this that create goodwill. If the net gain from selling it is only a couple hundred bucks and that doesn't change life? I think it's ok to occasionally write something off. Especially if you've gotten good service life out of it already.

[disneysteve]

I guess. And I could understand it if the set was in a prominent location like the kitchen but in her photos it was clearly in an unfinished basement so appearance is of little importance. We purposely saved money years ago buying our appliances from a scratch and dent outlet because it didn’t matter what they looked like as long as they worked properly.

I get the goodwill aspect. Hopefully someone in need will get it.

[Jluke]

Lots of factors and guesses could be part of the reason.

I think you will have your answer if you see that same washer posted for sale by the person who grabs it for free.

[disneysteve]

I think you will have your answer if you see that same washer posted for sale by the person who grabs it for free.

That would be fine with me. As a reseller myself I certainly have no issue with that though the rules of the buy nothing group state that you’re not supposed to sell things you get unless you state that intention up front. That has always annoyed me. The group is supposed to be about helping others but giving them something they can make money from is a form of help.

[Petunia 100]

Maybe they just don't want the hassle of trying to sell something. People make an appointment to see an item then don't show up, agree to a price then show up with less money, etc. Not wanting strangers in one's home is another reason, though it does not apply in this case.

[Fishindude77]

Could be any number of reasons they did what they did. Maybe they just wanted new stuff and were happy to be rid of the old stuff.
There are many things we do in life "just because" and they don't always need to make financial sense. They may also have deeper pockets than you realize.

When it comes down to cheaper stuff, I've often simply loaded stuff up and hauled it to the mission center or pitched it in the dumpster as I didn't want the hassle of dealing with people, and always in back of my mind I'm suspect about strangers coming to my house to pick anything up. Always wonder if they're casing the place.

That would be fine with me. As a reseller myself I certainly have no issue with that though the rules of the buy nothing group state that you’re not supposed to sell things you get unless you state that intention up front. That has always annoyed me. The group is supposed to be about helping others but giving them something they can make money from is a form of help.

There have been a couple occasions in recent history where I've sold things real cheap to acquaintances to help them out, then they turned around and sold the stuff at a much higher price and pocketed the profit; once with my moms old car and another time with a full dining room table and chair set. I thought that was pretty rotten as they acted like they needed and wanted the items. Had I known it was going to be a "for profit" deal, I'd just have sold them myself at market value. I did give the individuals a little butt chewing which likely fell on deaf ears.

[srblanco7]

I think some people are just able to move on from a washer/dryer and not be meaningfully impacted financially. A service call could take 2-4 weeks to complete between the initial visit and having to order and install parts, and that's a pretty big inconvenience to be without a clothes dryer for that long. And what does it cost? A service call is going to be $150-$200 minimum plus parts/labor, could be $500 or more total. How much is a new dryer? If they just replaced the dryer and not the washer, then the real horror: The set would no longer match! (I'm kidding, that's humor).

We've tried appliance repair a couple of times with a stove and with a washing machine. The replacement part for the stove was more costly than a new stove and the washing machine diagnosis took approximately two months. DS and I moved the broken machine to our garage and we rented a machine during the assessment period. Ultimately, we received full credit for the washing machine and purchased a new one.

Having been thru the repair option a couple of times, I can understand why people avoid it - most certainly if the appliances are 7-10 years old. Newer appliances seem to be designed to not to last beyond that type of a time period (unless you jump to commercial quality appliances).

[disneysteve]

There have been a couple occasions in recent history where I've sold things real cheap to acquaintances to help them out, then they turned around and sold the stuff at a much higher price and pocketed the profit; once with my moms old car and another time with a full dining room table and chair set. I thought that was pretty rotten as they acted like they needed and wanted the items. Had I known it was going to be a "for profit" deal, I'd just have sold them myself at market value. I did give the individuals a little butt chewing which likely fell on deaf ears.

Yeah, if someone says, "Oh, I could really use that washer. Ours died. It would be great to get that. Thank you so much." and then immediately turned around and sold it, that's wrong.

But once something belongs to me, it's mine to do with as I please. That's what annoys me about the Buy Nothing group. If they catch you selling something you got from the group, they can drop you from the group. There's no timeline on that, though. What if I get some toy for my toddler and in 6 months they've outgrown it? Can I sell it then? What if I take some kitchen item and after a few weeks we realize that it just isn't working for us, can I sell it then? Maybe I get a tool from the group that I need for a job we're about to do. Once we finish the job, can I sell the tool at that point?

I have responded to some gives in the group saying I was interested for resale if nobody else claimed it, and I've gotten a few things that way, so I stick to the rules. I just don't think that should even be a rule. Giving people things they can sell to help support themselves is a way to help them, sometimes even more than just giving them a thing. Personally, when we give stuff away in the group, which we do regularly, I couldn't care less what the recipient does with it. If they sell it, good for them. I'm all in favor of that.

[disneysteve]

We've tried appliance repair a couple of times with a stove and with a washing machine. The replacement part for the stove was more costly than a new stove and the washing machine diagnosis took approximately two months. DS and I moved the broken machine to our garage and we rented a machine during the assessment period. Ultimately, we received full credit for the washing machine and purchased a new one.

Having been thru the repair option a couple of times, I can understand why people avoid it - most certainly if the appliances are 7-10 years old. Newer appliances seem to be designed to not to last beyond that type of a time period (unless you jump to commercial quality appliances).

I can understand that. The last couple of times a major appliance broke, I dove into YouTube and fixed it myself (replaced belt on dryer, replaced door switch assembly on washer). Then when our fridge died, we got a new one. I totally understand giving away a non-functioning item to make room for a new one. In this case, though, they were giving away a perfectly good, fully functional washing machine in order to get a brand new one just so it would match the new dryer.

[jenn_jenn]

I just don't think that should even be a rule. Giving people things they can sell to help support themselves is a way to help them, sometimes even more than just giving them a thing.

Your perspective made me pause and think about my own views on this because I personally appreciate this rule in Buy Nothing groups and would also get annoyed if a friend I’m offering an item to turns around and resells it. If I wanted an item to be sold, I would have sold it myself.

You make a good point though and it made me reflect on *why* I don’t want someone to resell an item I’m giving away for free in certain scenarios (e.g., Buy Nothing, helping a friend).

It’s because…offering an item for resale isn’t the kind of the kind of help I’m offering. Most of the time, the items I’m place up on Buy Nothing are better than items than I’d donate to Goodwill or other charities. Not because I think the less fortunate don’t deserve nice things but because I do. I know it is commonplace for thrift stores to be picked over by resellers (not knocking them for it!) and I expect these nicer items would be swooped up quickly by one. I’m grateful to have a place where I know I can help a neighbor out with a very nice quality item they can use. The value of it going to someone who needs *that* item (in my opinion) is greater than what someone else would get by re-selling it.

Now as far as donating items to Goodwill and other charities, I couldn’t care less what people that buy the item do with it.

I appreciate your thoughts though because I do understand your point; just thought I’d offer a different perspective!

[disneysteve]

It’s because…offering an item for resale isn’t the kind of the kind of help I’m offering. Most of the time, the items I’m place up on Buy Nothing are better than items than I’d donate to Goodwill or other charities. Not because I think the less fortunate don’t deserve nice things but because I do.

Thank you for sharing that. I definitely see both sides of the issue. Your point is totally valid. You want to help someone who needs a waffle iron get a waffle iron or someone who needs a blow dryer get a blow dryer. But if I can give someone a blow dryer and they can sell it and use the money to buy the waffle iron they actually need, I'm okay with that, too.

[bjl584]

Impossible to answer without knowing the backstory.
If they were old units, then I may elect to replace them with new as opposed to start wrenching on them.

[Fishindude77]

Impossible to answer without knowing the backstory.
If they were old units, then I may elect to replace them with new as opposed to start wrenching on them.

And it doesn't really matter.
It's that guys stuff and he can do what he wants with it. Doesn't have to make any kind of sense.

[myrdale]

My number one question was going to be about age. If we're talking about a washing machine that is <5 years old then it doesn't make sense. But if the unit is 15 years old, suddenly it does.

Maybe it leaks.

Maybe it makes noise.

Maybe they want a matching set.

For the record, I have replaced a thermistor ($20) in my dryer. I have also replaced a solenoid valve ($35), speed sensor ($35) and cable in my washing machine ($35) and repaired a damaged thermostat in a refrigerator($Free). Most appliance issues are cheap to fix and relatively easy as well with the even the smallest amount of mechanical skill.

While I applaud anyone willing to roll their sleeves up and fix the problem themselves (or pay someone else to fix it), I can't be too critical of someone for saying "They were both 15 year old, lets go on and replace them both now before the washer breaks and we have to deal with that too. And rather than haul it off to the dump, because who would want to buy this piece of crap, let's list it on craigs list and get some sap to haul it off for free!"