Some Advice Please.

[chrissa1]

I have a sofa bed that is in perfect condition. I was going to put it in a sale but the auctioneer told me I'd be lucky to get £30 for it And the two chairs. I put the chairs in the sale but brought the sofa bed home and it's now residing in the garage.

My dilemma is, I know that my sister would like it and she offered to buy it from me before I told her I was selling it at auction, but;

a) How do I offer it to her? I can't say "oh I'd only get £30 for it at sale but you could have it for £100".
b) What would be a reasonable charge?
c) I could really do with whatever money I can get in at the moment but my sister has not got a lot of disposable income either.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

[woofgang]

Ask her what she thinks its worth and go from there.

[anneasquith]

ask your sister, if she would like to buy it and how much would she like to pay for it >

[DEN53]

Chrissa - if its in good condition, you would sell it on Ebay for a lot more than 30 quid.

[chrissa1]

I suppose so Den but she does need one and I would like the best of both worlds I guess.

[rowanwitch]

I would ask her if she'd like to buy it...I am sure she would understand in better circumstances you'd give it to her for nothing....if she's struggling maybe she could pay for it ove a few months... If she asks how much you want for it ask for the hundred but be ready to go down to say £80 so she feels shes done ok too

[chrissa1]

That sounds like a good idea rowanwitch.

[pa___ul3]

look on ebay for similar items to gauge their price. Work out what the fair price is and knock a few quid off for "mates rates" making sure your sis knows what you could have got for it.

[slinky.kate]

have you sold the 2 chairs,i would'nt take much from your sister,if you do her a good turn you will get it back two fold

[Davethedog]

Tell your sister to go to the auction house and buy one because yours is only worth £30 oh I forgot your trying to rip her off.

[Mosaic]

What about if your sister gives you something useful, or does some work for you, in return? eg give the house a clean, re-align your headlamps, whatever.

[chrissa1]

To davedog and mosaic, you perhaps misunderstood my question. I am newly widowed and therefore have no income coming in except my pension and so every disposable possession is quite important right now. My sister knows this and wanted to give me a decent price. I really wanted to know how I could make her take it and what would be a reasonable price. Also how I would phrase the "conversation". I've had to move into rented accomodation and my house is in negative equity. OK?

[chrissa1]

Oh, and it's you're not your.

[albaqwerty]

I'd follow rowan's suggestion.

It makes a lot of sense (but she always does)

[Mosaic]

Chrissa, sorry to hear about your personal circ's but I was quite genuine in my suggestion. Wealth does not reside only in cash, and sometimes a service that someone does for you is beyond recompense.
Whatevers.

[arwyn]

chrissa1 once when both my sister and I were skint we did swaps, I gave her a fridge/freezer (an old one) and she gave me a fire for my living room. has she got anything you need?

[Canary42]

If it really is only worth £30 then how can you in good conscience ask your sister, in her straitened circumstances (albeit not as bad as yours) for anything more (especially since you won't have to pay auctioneers commission out of the proceeds) ?
But do a bit more research on the value (e.g. eBay) in case your auctioneer is a bit of an Arthur Daly, and go from there.

[DTCwordfan]

Chrissa, arwyn's point is a good one

could you also agree say £80 and if she is tight on money, could she let you have £20 a month - at least it gives you a little "cash flow" - and yes, use the argument "if circmstances were such, I would give it to you."

Did you get a good agreement with your friends as to the outstanding "loan"? Sounded like that they were very accomodating to your circumstances but then I have been away a few days.....

[welshlibranr]

I feel that if I could get just £30 at auction, and my sister wanted it, and was short of cash too, then I would have to offer it to her for £30!.........

[chrissa1]

Thanks guys. DTC, I haven't seen my friends since I went round for a drink a couple of weeks ago. They know my circumstances and I don't think they will be forcing me to repay them but I Will bring it up the next time I see them by themselves and discuss it.

[sinderella]

because you may only get £30 at auction does not mean that is what its worth
selling at auction is just an easy option and the auction house takes a cut for doing the work
tell her its worth £100 and let her have it for £75
3 x £25 would be a nice help to her