Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Mr. Pink]

Pretty much everyday I check the buy and sell section of Dave's. Here is something I just don't get. People sell their household items because they are going home. Here is my question:

Why do people put things forsale that are less than 10,000 won? Like I saw one post where most stuff was 5-10k. At the end of the day, you get what, 200-300k from selling all your stuff, yet you probably lost 1mil on the value of what you paid from it.

Why not give it to the person who is taking your job? To friends?

Why do people take a trip on the subway to buy something for 5k?

Like: Selling laundry rack, almost new 10,000 won. Who makes trips for buying something like this when you can buy it at your local market for almost the same price?

Anyways, I just want to know the mindset. I look at buy and sell ads like that and think it falls under that "cheap" category that people want every last cent they can get before they leave. My first year here I got a lot of stuff "left" from the teacher before me and I left it for the next teacher.

So what do you people think?

[crazylemongirl]

I agree. The only thing I'd bother selling when I leave is my computer. Got better things to do with my time then flog off some household items for a measaly amount. Of course people still buy them. Aside from big ticket items, most of the stuff listed you could probably find at emart for cheaper, yet people are suckered into thinking it's cheap because it's second hand.

[BrianInSuwon]

It would be nice to meet or talk with the next teacher. Then work out a package price.

Selling within the community works well if your selling used items like a car or coffee table. The foreign teacher before me bought a used car from a teacher that was leaving for around 600 and then I bought it for 500 and then I'll sell it for around 400. So each teacher ends up "renting" a car for their year for about 100.

If you just leave stuff in your apartment for the next teacher, I'm guessing the good stuff would go to the hagwon owner or the cleaning lady.

[peppermint]

They are getting better about this stuff though. Been a while since I saw anyone one trying to flog packets of food on the buy and sell forum.

[Hater Depot]

I left pretty much everything except my computer and most of my books. I even stocked the fridge because I spent my first weekend on nothing but ramen.

[VanIslander]

I agree with Mr. Pink 100 % on this.

I don't get it.

We need to hear from those who do it to enlighten us.

[laogaiguk]

When I moved into my apartment in Japan, I was left a bigger fridge, a microwave, a VCR and various other things. Much more than most people get from eikaiwas (hagwons) in their apartments. When I left, I left that stuff and a sofabed I had bought a year before and a bike I had bought 8 months earlier for 30000 yen for free (though I hadn't thought about actually selling it until the next guy asked how much it would cost him). They guy was so absolutely shocked when I said nothing, he couldn't stop saying thanks. But where I'm from (New Brunswick), we just don't do things like that.
Moved into my China apartment, almost nothing there. I bought all my own stuff. When I left, I didn't really like my boss and I knew she would raid the apartment so the new guy wouldn't get anything. So I gave away everything to friends. My oven to my neighbour, my DVD player to the Chinese guard downstairs (who was incredibly nice) which was worth 3/4 of his monthly salary, and various other things to other people.
Am I tooting my own horn? Damn straight. These losers selling minor things for under 10000 won (and to be honest in my opinion even the bigger things) are cheap jerks screwing the newbie (who is probably short on cash until the first paycheck) and I hope there is karma and comes back to them.

[Return Jones]

Ask Gorgias!

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/korea/viewtopic.php?t=51407&sid=da292d9d3cda4cb7f5bb7c44576ec5d9

[Jenrose]

Well, here's the thing. I am selling stuff now, and so is a co-worker who's also leaving in a few months.

In my case, the guy who's moving into my apartment is a co-worker who's been here for almost 2 years himself. He has his own apartment and his own things. So, I doubt that he wants to come into my apartment and have all of my things if he's got his own. I am "selling" things with the hope of getting people here so that they will take many more things. I've just listed the things that I have so that people will come by. I mean.. if I have something and someone else really needs it, I'll offer it to them. I've always done that.

My co-worker, he's got to get rid of his things, since our lovely boss won't give his nice, big apartment to a newbie teacher who comes along. The newbie teacher wouldn't deserve a big apartment, you know? So, he's got to do something with his stuff.

Everyone has their reasons. I have seen people selling like a knife or a fork, and yes, that's really silly. But, what other options do we have? Cart it all into work and let everyone pick through all that we have? That's a bit of a pain in the bottom. I'd rather invite people over, and let them see what's available to take and take what they want. I'll give many things away, and try to get some money out of other things. Like my clothes rack for instance... I paid good money for that. They are all expensive, if you buy a quality one. So, why is it so bad to ask for manwon for it?

Sorry for the vent..............

[diver]

Then you get the odd scumbag that sells stuff that was GIVEN to them, either by a previous teacher or by the school itself.

I worked with a kiwi chick in Jeonju that tried to sell her FOOD before she left.

[VanIslander]

I know more than a few guys in hometown Canada who don't believe in giving away anything! It's like part of their philosophic outlook.

"Nothing's for free in life" and other such jaded crusty old geezer talk from people who don't believe in charity, good will or simply doing anything that doesn't serve a very narrow conception of self interest.

But then again, there's quite a flea market crowd, haggling over a buck for a used seat cushion.

I'm moving at the end of April and am going to have an afternoon tea on the second last Saturday and invite everyone I know over and give away all the nicknacks and inconsequential stuff. You're all invited!

[keithinkorea]

Some of the teacher types you meet here are incredibly cheap, and sometimes downright mercenary. Some of those types are like it before they arrive and a fair few might have been influenced by their bosses.

These are often the same people who boast about how much money they make on teaching privates and probably would sell their grannny on ebay if they could get a good enough price.

I don't like hanging out with idiots like that and the last thing I'd do would be to buy some pots and pans or second hand food off of them.

[VanIslander]

[Jenrose]

It's not a bag, it's a box, that has like 30 bags in it.

[VanIslander]