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If your parents gave you a gift.....

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katie.
Posts: 2833 - Karma: 874

And you wanted to sell it, should you be allowed?

I'm really confused at the moment because my parents feel they have ownership over something they GAVE me for my birthday a few years ago. I'm looking to sell my 8gb iPod touch 2nd gen (not on here, don't ask, sorry!) but my mom refuses to let me "make a profit" because it was something "they bought".

But don't I have ownership over it? The fact is now that it is MINE they can't really do anything right. That's basically like saying "here, have this toy. oh okay now i'm going to take it back from you because I gave it to you even though it's yours." Ehhh fuck. /rant

sparknotes: parents think they have ownership over a present they gave me and feel they have a right to forbid me to sell it.

May 24 2011 5:34PM
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[evan]
Posts: 5628 - Karma: 117
My older brother insists everything that is mine is his because he is older.

I think you should be able to sell it if it's yours.
May 24 2011 5:36PM
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steezenskis
Posts: 1044 - Karma: 31
well, i guess its different in every house but if i get a gift its mine so if i wanna sell it, im going to. but thats just me
May 24 2011 5:37PM
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Anathema
Posts: 21048 - Karma: 5,061
i see it as being kind of rude. someone takes the time to think about you and get you something they think you'd like. they didnt just give you a handful of money and say 'go get whatever you want'. there's significance to the item. i personally wouldn't sell something that was a gift, but if it's the point where years later you'd rather sell it than waste it, that's not a huge deal. it's more, if someone gave you a gift and you treated it like is was disposable. like looking at it like a handful of money you can use on booze or something.

like when i get a girl flowers, i hope her first thought isn't 'maybe i can trade these for flowers i like more'. cause if youre looking at something as not being a gift, but just being a 'value', i think that's a little mean..
May 24 2011 5:53PM
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vincentlee223
Posts: 1571 - Karma: 382
Same deal in my house. If it's a gift from mom, you cant sell it. She had a reason why but we argued about it a while back so i dont remember. I know for sure she made sense though.
May 24 2011 5:54PM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,404
just sell it without telling/asking them? I don't see why you brought it up with them in the first place
May 24 2011 5:55PM
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CAPITA-DEVOURS
Posts: 1968 - Karma: 4
you shouldnt sell it if they dont want you to. stay on your parents good side. you need them there.
May 24 2011 5:58PM
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6God
Posts: 280 - Karma: 17
Give it to me, I'll sell it, and maybe you'll get a cut.
May 24 2011 5:59PM
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LoftyLawnChair
Posts: 846 - Karma: 220
I think in certain instances is is okay. For example, I got a longboard for my birthday a year ago. It was a sector 9 one, okay board. But then a couple months later I was getting better and wanted to sell that board so I could get a newer, better one. I think that that is okay because I dont hate the gift or not want it, I just want a more improved version of it. Savvy?
May 24 2011 6:01PM
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ESAND
Posts: 1607 - Karma: 744
I guess it depends on whether it was a gift or not.

What I mean is if you said hey dad I want an Ipod, a car, a computer, w/e and they bought it for you because you needed/wanted it, then I don't think its actually yours, rather its something of theirs that was bought for your use.

On the other hand if it was wrapped in paper or accompanied by a happy birthday or a congratulations; you know, clearly a gift. Then I think that shows really poor education on your parents part to try and say what you can do with it because then they're essentially saying that they didn't actually give you the gift in the first place.


May 24 2011 6:02PM
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RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
yeah it depends on who got you the gift and whether they care/if there's any emotional link to the item. since it's your parents, and they care, don't sell it
May 24 2011 6:03PM
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Rossberger
Posts: 768 - Karma: 168
I wouldn't, it's just impolite. After all, a gift it is their way on congratulating you. I remember a while back I sold my mom's gift to me which was unimportant to me (headphones)and I couldn't forgive myself for it. The guilt still exists to today.
May 24 2011 6:03PM
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MothaHucker
Posts: 4678 - Karma: 2,591
should be allowed but its kind of a douche move
May 24 2011 6:05PM
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ESAND
Posts: 1607 - Karma: 744
I disagree with that because its technology which quickly becomes out dated bricks. A few years ago I got a set of diamond and18k gold cuflinks and shirt pins from my godmother. Trust me, I could use the money alot more than I need jewelry but I can't sell that. On the other hand, If I still had the cell phone I got for christmas in 98 I would be using it as a paperweight.
May 24 2011 6:10PM
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Chompo.
Posts: 4952 - Karma: 88
it sort of depends on what you are selling it for. For instance i got a xbox a few years ago for my birthday. About a year later i told my parents i was selling to put some money towards new skis. They were totally chill with that but if i were just selling it to make money and had nothing new to put it toward i think they would have though differently.
May 24 2011 6:22PM
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katie.
Posts: 2833 - Karma: 874

Oh thanks ben yeah a cut souds great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! not :)

I think I agree with everyone saying don't sell it, but the whole idea is that I just got a new iPad, and I haven't touched the ipod in a while. I'm looking for money for a little ipod shuffle I can use for skiing/working out, rather than having a really great ipod sit around gathering dust when someone else could be using it.

Also, I got a few fucking awesome years out of that thing, i really loved it, and my parents bought me something that replaced it instead. So it's not like i got an ipod, and sold it right away for cash. That'd be terrible

May 24 2011 6:27PM
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Anathema
Posts: 21048 - Karma: 5,061
if you sell a gift for booze money though

(clenches shirt and looks around with a disturbed look)

you're kind of a jackass

i mean, youre awesome and super pretty and i love you

but DICK MOVE, KELIBEANS
May 24 2011 6:30PM
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BrewskiJr
Posts: 5738 - Karma: 1,478
Most situations I would say no. It's somewhat rude as someone said before. I just recently sold a lacrosse bounce back wall on craigslist I got one christmas. My dad said he would take the first $50, then whatever money Ii make beyond that, I get to pocket. I feel like this is a good trade since there was just no use for it anymore. It was technically mine but I still felt bad just selling something that was a gift.
May 24 2011 6:33PM
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BIGben*
Posts: 1942 - Karma: 8
Sell it without them knowing?
May 24 2011 6:34PM
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katie.
Posts: 2833 - Karma: 874

Okay this is the compromise I'm thinking of tossing up there.

I sell it for whatever I can get, use the money to buy a nice new shuffle, and the rest goes to mom and dad. It's essentially a trade-off for the same thing, and considering I haven't turned the thing on for months, it's worth it.

Also basically every member of my family has one so I'm not depriving a sibling of an ipod they could possible have for free.

May 24 2011 6:39PM
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Anathema
Posts: 21048 - Karma: 5,061
dont even worry about it. youre golden. you used it for a while and are now looking to get some money for it instead of wasting it. no problem with that. it's been yours for a while, and now youre moving on without simply junking the thing.
May 24 2011 6:41PM
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soulskier
Posts: 17806 - Karma: 3,841
if you just received it than no way, but after a year so i see no problems
May 24 2011 6:45PM
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zerospinskier
Posts: 4867 - Karma: 350
Yeah, sure. You can just have one of those modern relationships where the children and parents don't love each other...
May 24 2011 6:48PM
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toominator
Posts: 4792 - Karma: 120
Depends how much sentimental value is attached.
I've only ever sold a couple of things that have been gifted to me, and I ok'd it with Mum and Dad first, and they were fine with it.
In your case I wouldn't have thought it'd be too big an issue since they gave you an iPad which kinda replaces it anyway. Tech gifts are hard though because everything becomes obsolete in 2-3 years these days
May 24 2011 6:59PM
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zerospinskier
Posts: 4867 - Karma: 350
On a more serious note, it just depends how old you are. If they are doing this and you are in your 20s, that is a little weird. But if you are still young and living at home, you should probably just do what they say. No reason to make a huge deal out of it.
May 24 2011 7:04PM
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SeanTom
Posts: 7936 - Karma: 1,747
are you 12?

but seriously, just sell it. it's yours.
May 24 2011 7:07PM
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--ski--
Posts: 1670 - Karma: 817
It all depends on time I reckon.

Like someone said technology gets outdated pretty quick, but that doesn't mean you can sell your present after three days of having it.
May 24 2011 7:13PM
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TijmenDal
Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
Of course it's a bit rude to sell it if it was a gift from your parents but still: it's yours.

If you got an iPhone now and don't use the iPod anymore (a scenario here), it's better to sell it than have it laying on the shelf, eh?
May 24 2011 7:15PM
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katie.
Posts: 2833 - Karma: 874

yes okay fine but i had a discussion with my parents about it, they wouldnt let me sell it. and that's the problem. evidently while i still live under their roof, i'm going to listen to what they say.

i just wanted to figure out a compromise and get an idea of peoples opinions.

May 24 2011 7:15PM
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MiraFFe
Posts: 177 - Karma: 12
If they ever gave it you as a gift, its yours period.
May 24 2011 7:17PM
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erejto64
Posts: 817 - Karma: 228
1. your parents are probably offended that your selling the gift they gave to you. the probably dont give a shit about the ipod
2. my parents do this sorta thing all the time. Everything they give me they use against me like take away my phone or ipod or something until i take out the garbage do the dishes ecc. It pisses me off so much
May 24 2011 7:18PM
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the_moderaper
Posts: 2465 - Karma: 218
My mom was on the way to JCPenny and I offered her a 50 dollar gift card for 40. She said no.

Makes sence amiright?
May 24 2011 7:20PM
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Lemuel
Posts: 14486 - Karma: 10,635
My parents don't care if I sell my gifts, but I feel weird doing it. In my opinion, it depends on the item.
May 24 2011 8:46PM
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*TURBONERD*
Posts: 15081 - Karma: 9,157
My little sisters think everything that is mine is theirs because they are younger. Video game systems in particular.
May 24 2011 9:05PM
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derpina
Posts: 2186 - Karma: 55
My parents bought me a full suspension mountain bike a few years back. Hella expensive. I sold it last week to help pay off my dirtbike... Yeah, I felt bad... but it helped me pay off something I've wanted my entire life, so it went to good use.

As long as you're getting something just as meaningful out of it...
May 24 2011 9:07PM
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.Cal.
Posts: 354 - Karma: 66
totally had the same problem, my parents wouldnt let me sell my laptop. I ended up selling it anyways, and they never figured it out.
May 24 2011 9:13PM
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J_BISCHOF
Posts: 2082 - Karma: 1,449
if its more than 6 months there is absolutely no problem.
Plus, what if you wanted something and got the basic version and wanted to upgrade? You could sell it or return it to pay the rest of the upgrade. Your parents sound way to cereal about things.
May 24 2011 10:39PM
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