Buyers with an Intellectual Disability

[izabsmiling]

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?

[harddrive2012]

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.

[davewil1964]

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.

[izabsmiling]

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.

[izabsmiling]

'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 ?

[harddrive2012]

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

[izabsmiling]

BIN = Buy It Now    items 

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

[izabsmiling]

just remembered...bricks and mortar 

[kangarooislandleathercraft]

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.

[izabsmiling]

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