A buyer ask for an item with her long story

[weststartexas]

Today I have a buyer sent me a long story. I don't know what to do. Any advice?

"I know this is a long shot but I want to do something meaningful for my husband for his birthday and father's day and right now I am struggling. Allow me to explain the situation and maybe you will better understand.

My husband is a trucker. A bull hauler to be specific. He was born into a family sporting 5 generations of bull haulers. My husbands father had him with him in the truck since he was only a few months old. Being a single father of an infant and how hard he had to work to take care of his infant son in a 18 wheeler that couldn't do much more than stop to fuel up or else risk the cattle dying from heat... Meanless to say bull hauling is more than in his blood. It is his blood. He and his father shared a special bond and passion for their way of life and the pride that they have is 4 generations thick and was bread into them...

They even started a hauling business of their own and before too long they had 4 trucks and all of the blood sweat and tears finally started to pay off enough that they could afford to rest and set roots at home they just couldn't and wouldn't be happy unless they were behind the wheel doing what they loved and lived for... Hundreds of thousands of miles and memories like no other. Stories that never ended...

A couple of months ago we had to lay his daddy to rest. He died in his sleep unexpectedly and my poor husband... He wanted to give his daddy one final ride and so we placed his coffin on the back of the truck that started it all and he drove him to his final resting place and I know his daddy wouldn't have had it any other way.... My husband hasn't been the same man. He is more than down. The company they worked so hard for us going under because he can't even get out of bed most days ...

I need this belt because his daddy wore one for nearly 15 years that looked an awful lot like this one and we buried him with it. We are so broke right now. I have 23 dollars to my name as I am writing this to you. I know it is worth more...

He needs something to hold on to. Something like this could be what he needs to get back up and maybe put the pieces back together... It probably sounds dumb or crazy but I have to try something.... It's all I have... He is all I have... I will give you every dime I have for it.... It's almost embarrassing that I don't have 40 dollars to buy a belt for my husband and I hope it isn't insulting to you that I would offer so little for it.....

I'm sorry for the book... I just needed to explain why I need it so badly and am offering so little... I appreciate you and God bless you either way. I understand completely if it's not possible. Thank you for your time and consideration.
-his loving hopeful wife, XXX"

I checked the feedback rating. It was 9 positive feedback in the past 12 months and 6 positive feedback in past 6 months. Could this be a real person looking for help? The messages were sent through eBay.

Thank you for reading

[weststartexas]

If it sounds real to you guys, I am going to ask this person's address and give a free stuff I think. Or is there a way to verify this story is true or not?

[bonjourami]

Every seller gets an occasional 'sob story' request. Ive had a few myself, one stands out when I was selling a Cartier tank watch..the 'buyer' offered me fifty dollars and begged me to sell it to her cause' it reminded her' of her grandma. Its up to you.

[lamber9347]

@weststartexas Of course, there is no way to verify if any of this is true or not. It is solely up to you if you choose to believe it. It is your item, so only you can decide if you wish to sell it for less. As long as you can handle this amount and if it makes you feel good about yourself, than offer her the belt and just be done. You wanted to sell it, that's why you listed it. You can sleep good at night knowing you intended to do a nice gesture for a stranger, that's all that really matters. Don't get hung up on if this is true or not, you will never know either way. Just do what you feel like doing and move along. Best of luck to you.....

[chapeau-noir]

I'm pretty jaded and have found that beggars with 'stories' are the worst buyers - they're never really happy, and I don't respond to that sort of thing anymore.

However, if the item to begin with wasn't really pricey, and a useful item (belts are useful), I would be more disposed to the individual than if they wanted an expensive designer item. If it's not a big monetary sacrifice you could go for it, but it's really up to you and your instincts.

[natoman777]

So... I am totally about helping people out... If they only have $23 to their name, they probably should hold on to it and not spend it.  Sadly, people are willing to lie in order to get items.  I have had that happen.  If you don't care if you make what the belt is worth, sell it.  if you are trying to help them out, I would say don't let that be the deciding factor.  We get these kind of requests about 5 times a year.  Oddly enough I haven't received one thank you message after they go the item.  If it meant that much you would think they would follow up.

[inhawaii]

First you have to decide if you think this story is true or not.

Personally, I think it is, but it doesn't matter what I or anyone else thinks.

It only matters what you think.

Go by what's in your gut and your heart.

[itsjustasprain]

---

@weststartexas wrote:

I need this belt because his daddy wore one for nearly 15 years that looked an awful lot like this one and we buried him with it. We are so broke right now. I have 23 dollars to my name as I am writing this to you. I know it is worth more...

---

Sorry but I am going to be the Bad Person here and just say that this story is unbelievable. Maybe if they reined it in a little bit I could see a bit of empathy but this writer is just pulling out all the stops and taking the story way too far.

Their whole cattle hauling business is threatening to go under because he cannot get out of bed? The guy needs a belt to 'get back up and put the pieces together'? She is going to spend her last $23 on a belt she found on Ebay? What is she planning to have for dinner?

If I was in your shoes I would simply not respond. A negative reply would make you feel bad (which I think all that glurge is supposed to achieve). A positive reply would indicate that you believe their story. I absolutely do not. (If you feel enterprising you might see if there are enough details in the story to enable you to verify it on social media or obits through Google but really I would just let it go.)

If you were selling boots or hats or other western items similar to those belts I suspect you might get the same story again except with 'boots' or 'hats' plugged in to the same sentences. There is a lot of bull to this story but not all of it is in the back of the truck.

[biggymoe]

The company is going under and this is the last $23 she has?

Personally, I would think that money would be better spent for food, or ????.

But that is just me.

[simba6]

I don't think so.

[femmefan1946]

Did "she" mention what town she was in? Have you checked the death notices?

And I am assuming that the belt was not a unique artisan design, but something purchased at WalMart or the local Co-op.

I am old and cynical.

OTOH- she should polish the story up a bit. Reader's Digest might pay for it.

[ms.rodriguez*]

It could be true. If you can afford to give them the belt do it.  You will most likely be rewarded elsewhere. And if she is lying, that she will get rewarded for that too eventually.

[krazzykats]

I sell Hallmark ornaments.  Here's one I received last Christmas asking for one of my ornaments.   It makes you sad.  The timing, Holidays, and the ornament itself...

[dhbookds]

As said.......up to you.......  If you (I) would take $23 for the belt, I do it.......if not, no.  These kinds of stories have been around since Ebay began .....no way to know if true or not and I would guess a majority are fakes.  I did have one (not so heart rendering) just this wk.........and I accepted the offer....not because of the story, but because the offer was within my "take it" range........Got a nice thankyou and feedback......

[inhawaii]

I am also a strong believer of karma.