I see this as being very similar to handing down clothes. In our little world there was always clothes, for kids, passing around from family to family. It is fun to see an outfit that grandma bought looking so cute on the third kid on the block or in the department. It is amazing how good it feels to receive a bag of high quality clothes that are perfect for the upcoming season. Of course these could have been sold at a tag sale for $1 an item but that isn’t as satisfing as contributing to the community.
Generosity is a missing in too many places in our society (and others). Play it forward was a movie that touched on this point.
As I’ve posted elsewhere, we moved from the Midwest where we had a huge three story house that was about 2800 square feet plus a basement plus a two car garage–to an apartment that’s about 1000 square feet, with no basement and no garage. Pretty clearly we needed to get rid of lots of stuff.
We invited both sons to divvy up belongings from a very large list; they each filled 16-ft moving trucks. The few things they didn’t want that had any value I sold dirt cheap just to get rid of it. And we donated a lot of stuff to Salvation Army.
We were very glad to help both sons out since they are in their 20s and still somewhat getting themselves established. In the case of some of the really nice items we gave them, we told them to consider that a down payment on any future inheritance.
You’re being nice. Truly, it’s stuff that you need to dispose of because of your move, and you are giving it to people who will use and enjoy. So your stuff gets a good home and everyone is happy. And it saves you trouble, moving being such a tiresome thing to have to do. The whole world doesn’t have to be about money.
I’ve been in a position when I can give things away, and I’ve been in a position when I am very poor.
Oh, here’s another thing - unbeknownst to you, your friends and colleagues might be privately planning generous donations to charitable causes just because we are all so wound up about money that people feel they should pay when they can. So, for all you know, Oxfam (substitute relevant national equivalent) is gaining from your generosity too.
You get to have less of the stuff that you cannot reasonably keep, others get your stuff, the world keeps turning, and it is MUCH better than just dumping things as rubbish.
We need to develop a lot more of that Freecycle/Freeshare attitude.
One issue I would have with your post is that I am sure Bavaria must be nicer than Fort Bragg. OK, don’t shout at me, I have only been to the very pretty places in Bavaria and have no idea at all about Fort Bragg. However, if you can cycle to work, then it sounds all right.
Oh, and it sounds as if you’re going to have a hell of a going-away party, given all these people that will buy you beer.
“too nice” usually means that you’re letting someone take advantage of you – perhaps letting someone talk you into giving you something you actually would have sold. but that’s clearly not the case here, you’re not expecting anything other than a beer. I think it’s great you’re trying to find a home for all your crap, rather than just send it to the land fill.
I would add that I think people who sell their stuff for less-than-its-worth prices are being nice. I’ve got a few bargain-basement items around the house, I know the owner could have gotten more than I paid and I appreciate that they weren’t holding out for the highest bidder.
When I moved to California the first time and got a teaching job in a tiny desert town, I had almost no furniture. Thanks to people like yourself, I got a couch, a chair, a desk, a bed, a table and chairs, and a coffee table for free. Other stuff I got dirt cheap.
So, speaking as the recipient of this kind of generosity, thank you.
You are not being naïve. You are, however, being subversive.
Giving things away goes against the creed of consumerism, and undercuts potential vendors as well. I just read of an article in the New York Times that suggested an environmental activist was actually insane for daring to suggest that people consume less. Giving things away is only one step less crazy.
But that’s the world of consumerism. In the real world, you’ve made a lot of people happy, reduced your own burden, and done Uncle Sam a small favour by reducing your shipping costs.
I’m currently clearing out my apartment and giving things away, and it feels good. I’ve given away furniture, electronics, books, computers, all sorts of things. There’s a bag of art supplies sitting right next to me, waiting for its recipient to pick it up. I expect to eliminate a third of the things in my apartment. And, it reduces clutter, both in the apartment and in my mind. I have one item that I want to sell, and quite frankly the thought of craigslisting it and talking to people and making sure I get money is a huge hassle.
It’s a win all around. Except for those who would have sold equivalent items to your friends. But how many of your friends would actually have bought the items anyways? In my experience, a lot of this stuff goes to people who weren’t actually in the buyer’s market with cash in hand.
Craigslist is always a good option.
In my experience people will take things for free that they wouldn’t otherwise pay for… even at a greatly reduced amount. Nor do they really care about the free item.
I’ll be glad to give something away if it’s asked for. For example, when I moved into my ‘new’ house, there was a really nice Olympic style weight bench left behind. Unfortunately, when we were packing to move I gave away a really nice set of Olympic style weights barbells because you guessed it: I didn’t like my weight bench, and therefore never used them. Because of the irony of the situation, my colleagues knew about this story. Fast forward a few months, and a colleague asked if I still had the weight bench, and would I be willing to sell it. “No” says I, “but I’m willing to give it to you, if you’ll come pick it up.”
So, to answer your question, I think you’re both: Nice AND naive. If you can sell something for a really good deal, why not? Even if it’s like giving it away.
Truly, it’s stuff that you need to dispose of because of your move, and you are giving it to people who will use and enjoy. So your stuff gets a good home and everyone is happy. And it saves you trouble, moving being such a tiresome thing to have to do. The whole world doesn’t have to be about money.
OK, don’t shout at me, I have only been to the very pretty places in Bavaria and have no idea at all about Fort Bragg. However, if you can cycle to work, then it sounds all right.