Selling clothes your child is given on Ebay

@sedel1027 (17846)
Cupertino, California
March 4, 2007 10:47pm CST
My ex-MIL gives my son clothing that is much too large or are things he does not necessarily need or like. She recently send him a bunch of clothes for his birthday, we went through the box together and he choose a few items that he didn't like. She did not include a receipt when she sent the items and some have JC Penny tag on them, but I don't know if they will just take the items back without the receipt (even if I had the receipt I don't know if they would take the items since most of it has sports teams that are not popular where we live). So I have decided to sell the items at a steep discount on Ebay (I listed a 3-pack of shirt worth $30 for $8). I would rather someone else get a deal and I will take whatever I make and buy clothing for my son. Do you think this is wrong?
10 people like this
30 responses
@Sailor (1160)
• United States
5 Mar 07
Generally all stores will except a return without a receipt as long as the item has tags on it. In your case you should take those items that you really don't want and don't try to get cash back because that is where the difficulties start. Just ask for store credit or to be allowed to exchange them for something you know your son wants and needs.
2 people like this
@Melizzy (1381)
• United States
5 Mar 07
If you don't really need the money from selling the clothes on Ebay, why not donate the clothing to Goodwill or the Salvation Army or a homeless shelter? You will be teaching your son about thinking beyond himself, giving a donation to those less fortunate and getting a tax write off.
• United States
5 Mar 07
Have you tried asking her to either not send clothes or send something you actually need? That may cause more trouble then tring to sell the clothes. I would also at least try taking them back to JC Pennys. Just go in and tell them the truth. If they say it's OK then no problem if they don't take them then sell them. Let's just hope your ex mother in law doesn't surf ebay.
2 people like this
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
5 Mar 07
I don't think this is wrong. Somebody else will get a good deal and will be able to use them. My MIL sometimes has trouble listening when we say we don't want/need something. What she does understand, though, is specific requests - we can't say, please don't buy anymore of this, but we can say - "oh, I could really really use or really want a _________ but I can't justify the cost or I haven't been able to find one." She's always really pleased to get us these things. Maybe if your son asked your exMIL for specific things - like he wants this team shirt or a game or certain runners? I don't know if you've tried this or not.
1 person likes this
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
10 Mar 07
I have tried that. I may as well be talking to a wall. My ex-husband can't even get her to listen to him. She is just one of those people.
@paidreader (5143)
• United States
5 Mar 07
There is nothing wrong with what you want to do as far as selling them on ebay goes. If the ones he doesn't like still has the tags on them though, you should take them to that store & exchange them for something he likes or something that fits better. As long as you are doing an exchange, you shouldn't have any problems. Just this weekend, I was at a store where a customer brought back an item for exchange but didn't have the receipt & it was from a different location. Once she explained the reason for needing the exchange, the manager just called the other store & confirmed they carried the product so that both stores would be credited with the refund/exchange properly. As long as they get their money, they don't seem to mind exchanges. As mentioned already, getting cash back would be more difficult.
1 person likes this
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
5 Mar 07
Some of the items don't have a store tag on them, so I am not 100% sure where they came from. Only 2-3 of the items have Pennys tags on them. Those I may return.
1 person likes this
@mizcheekz (178)
• United States
5 Mar 07
I would absolutely resell the stuff. I mean if you can take back the Penney's stuff, great but the other stuff, I'd say resell. Whether it's ebay or craigslist or whatever. We have a relative who buys my kids (just now 14 months) clothes that are size 4, 5, 7, 10. I am not kidding you! Right, like I'm going to save some pajamas for 10 years until they fit my kids. I don't get it. Anyway, I resell the stuff on ebay. I would feel horrible if she found out since I know she's just trying to help when she finds a good deal but my goodness. But doesn't sound like you have any worries of that and like you said, you can use the money to buy him stuff he wants. Good luck in selling the stuff, I'm sure it'll go fast if it's at a great bargain!
2 people like this
• United States
6 Mar 07
Definately not... Although, I would probably try to take it back to the store first. If the tags are on it, they will take it back. Sometimes you have to watch the price, they may have it clearanced. In that case, you may be better off listing it on Ebay.
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
10 Mar 07
Since the items were not bought where I live, I would have noway to really know if the items were put on sale or not (I am not even sure if the local store would know).
• United States
5 Mar 07
I am guilty of that as well. My children have been given items that are either too big, not right or whatever....and i have listed them on eBay, sold them, and purchased things they wanted with the profits. I dont see it as a bad thing at all. I mean, really, the purchaser, be it family or friend, only wanted to get them something they'd like or want right?
1 person likes this
@Bee1955 (3882)
• United States
5 Mar 07
I think you did right. Why have the stuff around if he isnt going to wear it? Its new and someone else will get it for a steal and enjoy it. Whatever doesnt sell, donate to a local shelter. Try encouraging your MIL to send a gift card next time.
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Mar 07
Well I think she should just send gift cards to your son from now on. Anyways, if you take the clothes back to JcPenny's then you will just get store credit for them. If you sell them on ebay you won't get near the amount you would from the store credit. If you get the store credit then they will still be from her, he'll just be able to pick them out. I don't think it's wrong. It's her fault for not keeping up with his sizes or styles. He won't get any good out of them so I don't see the need in keeping them.
1 person likes this
@mixey62 (305)
• United States
5 Mar 07
I don't think this is wrong- as long as she doesn't end up buying them back from you on ebay! Hahaha! Just kidding- but I think in this day and age to keep items you don't want is a waste of space. And kids are expensive- so might as well make a few extra bucks and put them aside for something your kid really wants someday- like a college education. That said, perhaps if the items don't sell you can donate them to your favorite charity. That way you're helping those less fortunate than you as well.
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Mar 07
Of course its not rong. Because it was a gift, you can do with it whatever you please. As long as the profits always go to your son, it shouldnt be a problem.
1 person likes this
@Connie1013 (1098)
• United States
5 Mar 07
No I don't. Whatever money you make on them will buy something that is needed. Just don't say anything to her. Good Luck on selling the itmes. I hope you make a good amount on them.
1 person likes this
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
5 Mar 07
I would never say anything to her. Thankfully we live a few states away. So the opportunity to be found out should never arise.
@MissMo (170)
• United States
6 Mar 07
No, I don't think there's anything wrong with that. In fact, it's much nicer of you to try and help someone else out by giving them a deal than to try and return the clothes to the store for cash for yourself.
1 person likes this
@daitya (69)
• India
5 Mar 07
No..nothing wrong in there.. You can get the money & buy something else for him.
1 person likes this
@Foxxee (3651)
• United States
5 Mar 07
If he will never wear the clothes, then why not sell them on EBAY so someone else can put the clothes to some use. I don't think it's wrong at all. I also shop on EBAY and even sell. You probably could sell the clothes for more. Boys clothes go fast on EBAY.
1 person likes this
@scarymary (124)
• United States
5 Mar 07
I don't think it is wrong. If you are not going to wear that, why keep them around just because someone gave them to you? I see it no different than returning something. I sell clothes online all the time, and yes some stuff was gifts that don't fit or are nothing something I'm going to wear because my taste is different.
1 person likes this
• United States
5 Mar 07
If they have the tags, the stores usually give you store credit but what will show for the price, will be the cheapest the item went on sale for. If it's from my mother in law, I will keep it, have a picture taken of my kid wearing it and send her a picture. I just had some experience in the past where I bought someone a gift and they gave it away and I felt bad about it. Just my personal view.
• India
5 Mar 07
theres nothing wrong in selling those clothes.as long as they were a gift for your son they must bu used for his benefits an selling them for buying other clothes or things for your son would be valuable for him too.atleast they are not getting wasted by just being kept in a corner of your home.
@Michele21 (3093)
• United States
5 Mar 07
No...if your son isnot going to wear them then I see no problem selling them so you can get something he will wear! Especially with JC{ennys whenever I have tried to take things back wothout a receipt they only give me about half of what the tag says for an item...(if that) so it really isn't fair for me =) Sell away and don't feel bad!
1 person likes this
@reykja (121)
5 Mar 07
Of course not. If your son doesn't like some of the clothes, then they'll just end up sitting in his wardrobe. I agree with you that someone else gets a deal, then you can go out with your son and use the money to buy what he chooses to wear.
1 person likes this