topic Re: Buyers with an Intellectual Disability in Buying

Buyers with an Intellectual Disability

izabsmiling — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 05:37:22 GMT

This is something I have thought of as I have an adult son who has brain damage .I am his carer.

He has asked if I could help him open up an account here to buy things.I have said that between State Trustees and myself we can help him buy things from here when needed (ie;using my account).

He is fortunate to have a carer but I know that many don't have that and there is always the possibility that he could get a friend to help him set up an account without either myself or State Trustees knowledge.

To sellers he just would be a faceless buyer and there could be all sorts of problems for the seller and himself.He may well be awarded the top prize for numptiness .He would not be meaning to be difficult ...he would however need a lot of things explained...though would most likely never tell anyone that himself.

The boards kind of open up my eyes up even more to those possibilities .

Has anyone else faced similar issues or thought about them?

Re: Buyers with an Intellectual Disability

harddrive2012 — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 05:44:31 GMT

As long as he or others with a disability get the help needed to buy on ebay then I don't see a problem.

As long as items are paid for then I don't see it being an issue.

I would sell to anyone who is willing to pay for an item. If I had to in some way help them through the process then I would. However, I don't think everyone has the same patients as I would have.

I think it's more of an issue of his independence and having an ebay account of his own would give him that.

Re: Buyers with an Intellectual Disability

davewil1964 — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 05:47:48 GMT

You could always let him open an account and not give him the password until you are confident he is able to transact unsupervised.

In the long run, it's not that much different to shopping unsupervised in a B&M, especially if he restricts himself to BINs.

Re: Buyers with an Intellectual Disability

izabsmiling — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 05:56:09 GMT

As long as he or others with a disability get the help needed to buy on ebay then I don't see a problem.

I think that is the main thing.Many don't get the help and support that is needed.

My son as he has been put under a guardianship order as he can not handle money everything needs to be watched.

There would not be any way that I could have him blocked from opening an account would there ? Anyone and of any age could really ,couldn't they ?

Harddrive, I agree that patience on the part of the seller would be needed.

Re: Buyers with an Intellectual Disability

izabsmiling — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 05:58:36 GMT

'In the long run, it's not that much different to shopping unsupervised in a B&M, especially if he restricts himself to BINs'

except I suppose that he would be entering into a contract to buy something ....he perhaps couldn't pay for and giving the seller grief ?

Re: Buyers with an Intellectual Disability

harddrive2012 — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 06:10:00 GMT

Excuse me for being blonde, but what is B&M and BIN's?

Re: Buyers with an Intellectual Disability

izabsmiling — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 06:12:53 GMT

BIN = Buy It Now items

B&M= a physical shop/store (can't think what the letters represent)

Re: Buyers with an Intellectual Disability

izabsmiling — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 06:13:42 GMT

just remembered...bricks and mortar

Re: Buyers with an Intellectual Disability

kangarooislandleathercraft — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 06:13:57 GMT

He is fortunate to have a carer but I know that many don't have that and there is always the possibility that he could get a friend to help him set up an account without either myself or State Trustees knowledge.

It would hardly be the act of a friend to set up an account behind your back and leave your son to flounder. However there are always thoughtless peopleX-(

It depends on the extent to which your son desires independence. Would he accept your guidance or resent it? I would suggest his own ebay account but withholding the password for a trial period. In the meantime he can browse as a guest for any item of interest and you can then assist by logging in to his very own account and guiding him through the purchase.

Re: Buyers with an Intellectual Disability

izabsmiling — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 06:16:48 GMT

His friends have varying degrees of Intellectual Disability themselves as well as a few with um er not very responsible parents.

Thanks everyone, I'll have a think about it.State Trustees may not approve anyway

Re: Buyers with an Intellectual Disability

izabsmiling — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 06:58:26 GMT

This is a current issue for myself and my son.No doubt I am not the only carer around nor my son the only person who has an intellectual impairment and has a financial guardian.

Naturally in thinking about the pros and cons I will consider all things that may happen.Some things may make the cons list higher

Re: Buyers with an Intellectual Disability

izabsmiling — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 06:59:42 GMT

bump, the reality of some things hit some people like a sledgehammer.

Re: Buyers with an Intellectual Disability

izabsmiling — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 07:01:05 GMT

stop pretending that you are posting about some-thing/one else.

I wish more than anything else I was pretending it was about my son.

Re: Buyers with an Intellectual Disability

izabsmiling — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 07:03:13 GMT

my mind has been made up.Thanks Bump. It is a no go

Re: Buyers with an Intellectual Disability

harddrive2012 — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 07:30:11 GMT

Personally, if it was my son or daughter that wanted an account on here, I would let them but I would monitor everything that they do and would help them with buying.

I doubt it would be wise to leave them to themselves to use this site.

Re: Buyers with an Intellectual Disability

forumfool — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 07:30:49 GMT

my mind has been made up.Thanks Bump. It is a no go

Oh!! Don't let this stop you or your son. It may very well be good for him if supervised carefully. You know him best. If it is something that can contribute to his sense of independence or well-being then it might very well be a worthwhile experience.

Hat's off to you for thinking about a way to increase your son's quality of life 🙂

Re: Buyers with an Intellectual Disability

phorum_junkie* — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 07:35:02 GMT

I know exactly where you are coming from. As he cannot handle money does he actually have a bank account? If not then that is a completely valid reason for explaining to him that he is unable to have an ebay account without a bank account but that if if he wants to buy something on ebay you would be happy to help.

There are unscrupulous people in this world who would take advantage of him, I have seen this happen many times over the years as I was involved with caring for those with learning disabilities and brain damage most of my working life.

Re: Buyers with an Intellectual Disability

forumfool — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 07:40:00 GMT

Could it be helpful to have a Paypal account and/or bank account with a set amount?

Would it also be possible for him to browse on an ebay account and put his items on a 'watch list' for you or a trusted carer to purchase? What do you think he can manage?

Re: Buyers with an Intellectual Disability

not_an_eloi — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 07:53:17 GMT

section 3. ebay user agreement

While using the eBay services, you will not:

use the eBay services if you are not able to form legally binding contracts, are under the age of 18, or are suspended from using the eBay services;

Re: Buyers with an Intellectual Disability

i-once-was-bump — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 07:58:37 GMT

section 3. ebay user agreement

While using the eBay services, you will not:

use the eBay services if you are not able to form legally binding contracts, are under the age of 18, or are suspended from using the eBay services;

Most guardians/careers would be well aware of all the things their charge cannot do if they come under the mental health act.

Legally binding contracts are at the top of the list of no-nos, then comes all paid or honourary positions on committees and so on and so on.

That is why I find this thread unusual.