Selling stuff in apartment - Bad form?

LegacyUser

Hey,

Not a big deal, but just wondering what the nicest thing to do is? I bought a Christmas tree, lights, decorations etc last year and my 2 housemates at the time were due to give me money. One of them since moved out and the other guy is still there, he never gave me anything towards the cost. I honestly believe he just forgot but don't really want to ask him for the money a year later. I'm due to move to a different country soon, so i'm clearing out a few bits, doing boot sales etc. Would it be bad form to sell the Christmas stuff on?

Defiler Of The Coffin

As he didn't pay anything towards the cost he doesn't get to have a say in whether it should be sold or not. It's completely up to yourself and if you want to sell then fire ahead, it's completely reasonable thing to do.

ManOfMystery

You paid for the stuff, therefore you own it. It's entirely your decision as to whether you sell it or not.

Merkin

It's your stuff so you can do whatever you like with it!

You bought it. You own it. Therefore it is your choice as to what you want to do with it. If he wants them, he can either buy his own or give you money for it.

Miaireland

It's yours to sell. Best of luck with the move.

ncmc

Absolutely ok to sell it. What I would do is give him first refusal, tell him you are going to sell it and does he want to buy it? Would be a lot more convenient for you if he did buy it. But if he's not interested, then absolutely do flog it elsewhere!

Santa Cruz

As it refers to Christmas just ask yourself "What would Scrooge do?"

LegacyUser

Santa Cruz wrote: »

As it refers to Christmas just ask yourself "What would Scrooge do?"

Well that just makes me feel bad

Chara1001

Lol,

Don't feel bad op, its good advice to give him first refusal though,
Best of luck with the move:)

CaraMay

I'd give it to charity

LegacyUser

CaraMay wrote: »

I'd give it to charity

That's a nice idea, but I do more of my fair share of fundraising for charity, so not going to feel guilty about trying to get a few extra bob for myself, at a time when I really need it.That's not really the issue TBH. It's more relating to whether or not I should run it by my housemate.

CaraMay

How much are the second hand Xmas decorations worth?

Faith

CaraMay wrote: »

How much are the second hand Xmas decorations worth?

What does that possibly matter? The OP has clearly stated that s/he is just asking about whether s/he should run it by their housemate before selling them. They could be worth a penny and it doesn't matter because it has nothing to do with the question being asked.

thefeatheredcat

Christmasstuff wrote: »

It's more relating to whether or not I should run it by my housemate.

OP in a previous house share I was in, either one of the other 2 of the house mates decided to get a Christmas tree from somewhere like Argos. I was never consulted and was never asked to contribute. Nor did I offer btw but I had bought some decorations myself that year and the previous year without consulting them and without asking them to contribute. Seems on both sides it was all done on a whim like "ooh thought this might brighten the place up" or whatever. If either of them had been considering selling the tree, I honestly wouldn't have seen an issue in whatever happened to it, whether they sold it or left it or whatever. We all moved out and to be honest I have no idea what happened to the Christmas tree or any decorations, I know whatever I bought (including some household items over time) were left behind for the house, so I assume the tree probably was too.

If you're really worried that your housemate might take issue, you can put it to them if they want to buy it off you, but if not you'll sell it. If I were your housemate it wouldn't bother me either way whatever happened to it and probably wouldn't even notice it, but that could just be me. I wouldn't expect a housemate to run it past me tbh, might be different if it were a toaster or a kettle or something used everyday (where a forewarning of needing to buy a replacement would be expected) but a Christmas tree or general stuff bought and owned by someone else to furnish the house or decorate it I probably wouldn't even notice that it was gone unless I actually used it.

deseil

Its yours sell it. Enjoy your travels

theblaqueguy

You bought the stuff so you own it OP sell it all and try upgrade your travel to first class:D safe trip

goose2005

Faith wrote: »

What does that possibly matter? The OP has clearly stated that s/he is just asking about whether s/he should run it by their housemate before selling them. They could be worth a penny and it doesn't matter because it has nothing to do with the question being asked.

Humbug!

Taltos

goose2005 - banned for a week for posting in breach of our charter.
Can I remind posters that if you have no constructive advice to offer an OP then please don't post, doing so as above can and does result in you earning a break from being able to post here.

Thanks
Taltos

Paddy Cow

Christmasstuff wrote: »

Hey,

Not a big deal, but just wondering what the nicest thing to do is? I bought a Christmas tree, lights, decorations etc last year and my 2 housemates at the time were due to give me money. One of them since moved out and the other guy is still there, he never gave me anything towards the cost. I honestly believe he just forgot but don't really want to ask him for the money a year later. I'm due to move to a different country soon, so i'm clearing out a few bits, doing boot sales etc. Would it be bad form to sell the Christmas stuff on?

Sounds like the Christmas spirit was more important to you than your housemate! If you left the stuff there for him this year, he probably wouldn't bother to put it up so it would be a waste not to sell it. As other posters have said, you could give him first refusal but if he expected you to leave the stuff there for him without offering you anything, he's out of order. Plus, even if he is miffed that you are selling stuff that you own, what do you care? You are moving out so won't have to see him again. Sell what you can and enjoy your travels

LegacyUser

Paddy Cow wrote: »

Sounds like the Christmas spirit was more important to you than your housemate! If you left the stuff there for him this year, he probably wouldn't bother to put it up so it would be a waste not to sell it. As other posters have said, you could give him first refusal but if he expected you to leave the stuff there for him without offering you anything, he's out of order. Plus, even if he is miffed that you are selling stuff that you own, what do you care? You are moving out so won't have to see him again. Sell what you can and enjoy your travels

Well yeah I would actually care, don't want to leave on bad terms, because he's a really nice guy who i'll probably stay in contact with.

sonny jim bob jones

Santa Cruz wrote: »

As it refers to Christmas just ask yourself "What would Scrooge do?"

I thought it was clear from the first post that Scrooge didn't contribute to the cost...

sonny jim bob jones

CaraMay wrote: »

How much are the second hand Xmas decorations worth?

3.50?

thefeatheredcat

Christmasstuff wrote: »

Well yeah I would actually care, don't want to leave on bad terms, because he's a really nice guy who i'll probably stay in contact with.

If you think that you're being unfair towards him selling it and not running it past him or giving him first refusal then if that is what you feel is the right thing to do, in running it by him, then maybe you should pursue that. I wouldn't feel it necessary at all, but it is taking him into consideration, so long as he doesn't feel obligated to then pay you in being reminded of what was originally agreed and what did not materialise. Let him know your intentions anyway, if you feel it is right for you to do and would have you feeling you've left on good terms rather than thinking yourself having been mean or unfair in selling them, even though I would feel they're yours to do what you like with them.

Paddy Cow

Christmasstuff wrote: »

Well yeah I would actually care, don't want to leave on bad terms, because he's a really nice guy who i'll probably stay in contact with.

If he is a nice guy he is not going to have a problem with you selling something that belongs to you. You are talking yourself into believing this is a bigger issue than it is.

LegacyUser

Christmasstuff wrote: »

Well yeah I would actually care, don't want to leave on bad terms, because he's a really nice guy who i'll probably stay in contact with.

Well then say it to him??! Problem solved!