Went Hoping for Free Giveaway... Disappointed by Baby Books Scattered on the Floor

Books Received for Free on a Secondhand Trading App
"Sorry, I Couldn't Organize Them" Left Thrown in the Hallway

A user who tried to receive free children's books through a secondhand trading application (app) experienced a ridiculous situation. The user who promised free sharing put out the books as if throwing away trash.

A user who scattered children's books for free giveaway in the apartment hallway.
Photo by Online Community Archive

On the 15th, a post titled "Rude behavior in free sharing on secondhand trading app. This is absurd" was uploaded on an online community. As of 8 a.m. on the 17th, the post recorded 126,000 views and 250 recommendations, becoming a big topic. The author, Mr. A, who arranged to receive free books through the secondhand trading app, said, "I received a message from the seller in the morning and couldn't believe my eyes," and shared photos.

Looking at the photos shared by Mr. A, several children's books are scattered around the apartment hallway. It looks as if a tall tower of books was intentionally knocked down. Mr. A said, "As soon as I saw the message, I wondered what was going on. At first, I was stunned, but gradually I felt worse," and added, "It feels like they think I'm a beggar. Or maybe it's a hint to come and clean up the trash," sharing his feelings at the time.

He continued, "I've seen all kinds of strange people in my life," and said, "Fortunately, I saw it first through the photos. If I had gone to pick them up and seen that mess, I would have been even more upset. The app's manners rating was good, but I guess you can't trust everything. I'm curious about how to deal with such situations if they happen again," asking for opinions.

Netizens who read the story responded with comments such as, "It must be harder to leave them like that," "They probably threw them around and then posted the free sharing post because it would be tidied up when taken," "If only one or two books had fallen, I would think someone accidentally slipped while stacking, but this looks like they were thrown," "The seller lacks basic manners," "The best option is probably just not to take them," and "They treat people like beggars."

Controversy over 'Free Sharing' Continues on Secondhand Trading Apps

Image unrelated to the article content.
Photo by Getty Images

Meanwhile, controversies related to 'free sharing' on secondhand trading apps are not new. New terms like 'sharing beggar' and 'power-tripping sharer' have emerged as absurd trading cases continue within these apps. Some resell gifts or souvenirs received for free or sell them again for a fee, and as in this case, free sharers often make unreasonable demands or exert power over users who come to receive free items.

Last month, a story caused controversy when a seller who had arranged a free sharing appointment became unreachable 10 minutes before the meeting. The author, Mr. B, said, "I prepared from Sunday morning and waited at the meeting place, but then I received a message saying 'I'm not giving it to you,'" and added, "I just felt upset and went back home. I hope I never experience something like this again."