here is my take on the situation:
i dont like reading about another mama in need. most of the mamas on the TP are selling stuff b/c they need the $$. they are either selling b/c they need to size up or buy other things, or pay bills. I don't think anyone on the TP is sitting around with loads of cash and just trying to make another $5 on an outgrown outfit, etc. I know that when I worked, everything my kids outgrew (that I didnt keep) either got sent to goodwill or were given away. so,I assume when lookign at the TP that mamas are in need.
the mamas that state "i need to sell this b/c....(insert sob story)" should be able to state that. no one is compelled to purchase her items. but why have a rule? so that those of us who are not in that situation can sit around and pretend that some mamas on here are not suffering the way they are?
I *believe* it is difficult for most mamas to post that they need to sell their kids clothes or diapers b/c of (insert sob story). I feel badly for them. I feel embarassed for them. I have things for sell on the TP and I have simply listed them, not my sob story (i have one right now if anyone wants to check it out..im sure you will be able to find it here). It can't be easy to state you need to sell something for some reason. My first batch of diapers for the baby were purchased from a mama here who had a brand new stash she was building but she was in college. she needed to sell for tuition. I jumped at the chance. But I don't know what I would have thought of a mama who was selling a $300 stash for no reason given.
If you don't like the sob stories, move on. No one is forcing you to buy. but have a heart. maybe there are some who are takign advantage of teh sob story sells strategy, but i think thats very little. i know that i purchased one thing from a mama with a sob story several weeks ago, but i noticed none of her other stuff sold, so i dont think that strategy really works. No, its not YOUR fault that a mama is in need, but why do we have to have a rule?
I for one think there are too many rules here sometimes (not in the TP necesarily; but the board in general).
I vote for allowing ppl to post the "whys" of their posts on the TP. I don't do it but there are some here who do and that should be their "right" (not in G-d given right, but it shoudl be an option).
I don't know if what i am saying is very clear right now b/c im trying to get out the door with teh baby, but i woudl like to see a poll taken here if there is going to be a change in the rule. It woudl make me sad to believe that the majority of mamas here are so offended by another mama's sob story that they would vote to ban them from posting such.
one final thought...what if you REALLY needed to raise $100 or they were going to cut your electricity off? what if you didnt have family to help you out in times of need? what if your exdh never paid c/s and you did your best but yuor car just broke down and thats where the tightly budgeted $100 went? what if your state did not offer benefits for someone like you b/c you worked? what if JUST THIS ONCE you really needed $100 by the 20th (or whatver) and were willing to sell whatever you had? How horrible would you feel posting that information? (remember i stated there is no other place to go for the $$). And after all that, some mothers were talking about how they are offended b/c you posted all that personal information?
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thats just my take on it.
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: and I really feel for the mamas who need help but I just think it should be fair for everyone.
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