Relative selling Christmas gift on ebay?

[omegajasmine]

My sis-in-law sells things on ebay. We're friends on facebook and when she lists something it posts to her wall. So it shows up in news feed. My feelings are a little hurt that she is selling something my 4 year old daughter picked out for her. Granted it's hers to do with as she pleases. But, shouldn't she have given some thought to I might see it? And isn't that just downright rude?

[Dartman]

Well, you could confront her and tell her how you feel about it, or you could just leave it alone and avoid a conflict. Also that's very rude, but it's theirs when they receive the gift and he/she can do whatever he/she wants to do with it. Maybe you should stop giving her gifts to you.

[zammit.shane]

Yeah I think it's rude but don't take it personally, the truth is people don't generally always get stuff they want at Christmas, if she has no use for it simply sell it, selling stuff is so easy now and that's why she is doing it, it is less hassle than keeping it.

[Mr. Turtle]

I guess 4 year olds don't pick good gifts.

[Jules]

Is it possible that they could be in a bind for money, yet don't want it known?

[SugarCat]

That was thoughtless of her. The only thing you can do is ignore it, though.

[G]

Your four year old will neither know nor care that her aunt is selling a gift she can't use, to get money she can use for other things. But I understand your hurt feelings, mainly because you spent your hard earned money on that gift. It's not necessarily rude so much as thoughtless on her part. Then again, maybe she's proving a point of her own here, that things she doesn't need or can't use will be sold on eBay. It's certainly something I would keep in mind for the future. Perhaps next Christmas you could consider drawing names within the family, setting a spending limit, etc or just exchanging cards.

[Cole]

The gift is hers, as is her burden to survive

[Susan E]

The bottom line is that once you give someone a gift, they own it and can do what they want with it. A small item like this should not be the war that tears a family apart - so just ignore this event and don't make an issue over it with your SIL. I agree that it's a pretty nasty thing to do when a four year old has chosen a gift for her, but unfortunately the same rule applies. It was a gift to your SIL and once she owns it she can do what she wants with it. Keep this incident in mind next time there is gift giving to be done. Bake cookies for her with your daughter - something she can't turn around and sell.

[wyomugs]

Yes, you are very correct.

I would say that she should not receive gifts from you ever again. That will solve the situation.


Have a polite day.