When you become a parent it is easy to purchase more items than necessary. The bassinet now gathers dust in the corner, practically used for storage. The changing table has been outgrown and the bottle sanitizer serves no purpose as your toddler plunges a fallen snack into their mouth.
Countless stacks of baby clothes are packed away in storage containers. You said you would keep them until you were ready to let go. That turned into, “I’ll keep them just to be safe!”
Now you’re in the midst of decluttering and the need for space has put the caution to rest. You swallow the ache and pick out the pieces you absolutely can’t part with. You divide items into piles, sorting which can be donated and what can be sold.
As you create the listings in hopes of getting back a little of your money’s worth you may not realize that you’re putting yourself at risk.
Many don’t consider that, for example, offering at-home pick-up can put you and your children in danger. It may be the easiest way for you to sell the items instead of loading your children into the car to make the exchange, but consider what the “buyer” sees.
They, based off the listing, know that you have children. Depending on your profile settings and privacy they can gather information about the places you frequent, where your child goes to school and if your partner works while you’re home. Allowing the exchange to happen at your home, regardless of whether you’re home alone, puts you on a radar.
It can seem as innocent as someone wanting to buy your items, though please consider meeting someone at a safe, monitored location with a few friends to accompany you.
Do not respond to any messages labeled as “disappearing” or “end-to-end encrypted” on Messenger. Proceed with caution even if you meet at a public place.
Make sure that your profile privacy settings only allow friends to view your posts. With that being said, it is strongly advised to limit posting your or your families routines and locations.
Editor’s note: A great place to meet someone for an online transaction is the parking lot of the Cullman Police Department, which has space designated for this purpose.
