baa75 0 #1 August 26, 2003 You have got to see this! Can you believe this? I apologize ahead of time if I hurt someone’s feelings by saying this but…I can’t stand this whiney crap! I’ve seen people do this on Ebay before and it drives me nutz! It took me almost 4 years from my first jump to be able to afford my own gear. I’m a single mom, I have twin boys and no help from their dad. I saved every penny, jumped barely often enough to stay current, rented gear and borrowed it when I could just to pay for my AFF & eventually my own rig. I never once asked for a penny from anyone and I was happy as hell just to be at the DZ and jumping when I could! (Not looking for sympathy, just explaining why I can't stand the begging.) I know plenty of people who have given up their houses, cars, etc to live at the DZ and pack for jump $! We all make sacrifices to do what we love. It just digs at my nerves to see someone think everyone else should pay for them. Anyway, I just had to share. BettyAnn Getting married? Check out my website! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blahr 0 #2 August 26, 2003 lol. I'm sure almost all of us can relate to the wish that someone or something would make our dreams come true for us. The truth is, however, that this is the real world and we have to make our own dreams come true. Took me 14 years to get my first new gear. Did it all by myself too :-) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,111 #3 August 26, 2003 >It just digs at my nerves to see someone think everyone else should pay for them. I think it's wrong to expect that, but I don't think it's wrong to ask for help or accept it when it's given. Amy and I have given two rigs to people because they couldn't afford to buy one (in both cases, just the container/reserve) with the hope that they either give them back when they can afford their own rig or give them to someone else who is starting out and needs a rig. I'd rather do that than sell the rig for $500 to an anonymous person on Ebay I've never met. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TEB6363 0 #4 August 26, 2003 I saw that someone has done this on e-bay before also. There was a "what ever happened to" thread a little bit ago that brought the e-bay stuff up. But hey, if you can start a web page and have other people pay off your credit cards... More power to ya.. I guess I should be thinking up ideas and asking for money instead of post whoring here Once the plane takes off, you're gonna have to land - Might as well jump out!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrazyIvan 0 #5 August 26, 2003 Maybe this person should contact this guy. __________________________________________ Blue Skies and May the Force be with you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ivanrockon 0 #6 August 26, 2003 Totally agree with you. What a wimp this person is. Ivan "Rock On" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildblue 7 #7 August 26, 2003 I don't really see anything wrong with it... I wouldn't ask on e-bay though. A really good friend of mine is jumping "borrowed indefintely" gear right now. ANd I know other people who have done the same, or been lucky enough to have someone give them something. It pays to have good friends I guess. I'm not sure I'd try on E-Bay though...it's like incest - you're substituting convenience for quality Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bbarnhouse 0 #8 August 26, 2003 I have given away thousands of dollars in coaching jumps just as many others have, and helped out when someone has been in need of equipment. This however is just beyond the pale. There is a vast difference between a hand up and a hand out. Just my .02 'nuff said. BB Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
baa75 0 #9 August 26, 2003 QuoteI think it's wrong to expect that, but I don't think it's wrong to ask for help or accept it when it's given. Asking for help or accepting help is different. I have passed along gear to newer jumpers as I have been able to upgrade. I and I will continue to do so. I simply ask that they pass it on when they are done with it. The difference being that there was no expectation that people would provide gear. these people were willing to do anything, sell belongings/work/pack/etc to get the $ themselves. I chose to help them out. I'm normally a pretty reserved person and it takes quite a bit to really get on my nerves. People begging without at least trying to do all they can to help themselves just erks me. BettyAnn Getting married? Check out my website! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sammer 0 #10 August 26, 2003 I thought that add looked familiar: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/detail_page.cgi?ID=2675&d=1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 226 #11 August 26, 2003 QuoteYou have got to see this! Can you believe this? I apologize ahead of time if I hurt someone’s feelings by saying this but…I can’t stand this whiney crap! I’ve seen people do this on Ebay before and it drives me nutz! It took me almost 4 years from my first jump to be able to afford my own gear. I’m a single mom, I have twin boys and no help from their dad. I saved every penny, jumped barely often enough to stay current, rented gear and borrowed it when I could just to pay for my AFF & eventually my own rig. I never once asked for a penny from anyone and I was happy as hell just to be at the DZ and jumping when I could! (Not looking for sympathy, just explaining why I can't stand the begging.) I know plenty of people who have given up their houses, cars, etc to live at the DZ and pack for jump $! We all make sacrifices to do what we love. It just digs at my nerves to see someone think everyone else should pay for them. Anyway, I just had to share. What? Next I suppose that you will say that Bill Gates is a crook just because he wants to look at EVERYONES email and eat up all their cookies.I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflygoddess 0 #12 August 26, 2003 I do have to say I can see boths sides to this. I am also a single mother with two wonderful kids, who always come first in my life. I am still paying for my gear. I however was lucky enough to buy piece by piece and my reserve half last month and now on the first it will all be paid for after I pay my rigger for work I needed to update my new to me rig. It would be wonderful to have help and I can't say that I haven't gotten any because I was able to demo gear while waiting to pay off mine and I have some great friends who have boughten me a few jump tickets. Also, I have been lucky enough to jump with some awesome skygods. I did go through AFF all on my own and it did take me awhile. I don't agree with whiening on Ebay to get stuff. I for one wouldn't go begging on the net nor would I beg anyone else for that matter. I have just been lucky enough that my friends at the dz know my situation and I don't have to ask. I am very greatful to them. I do have to admit it is hard to recieve the help too. I feel torn about it, but I will never forget it and when I hit those powerball numbers it will all come back to them ten times better. Shit when I win I already have a plan on buying my own plane hiring a pilot and flying around to all dzs and giving everyone all the free jumps a tank of gas will give them...I will call it The Traveling Lottery Boogie...lol... Seriously though I hope that one day I can pay them back, even though they all say there is no need. I am very happy to have found such an awesome family in skydiving. Again thank you all for being such loving and careing people. NEver in my life have seen so many people help so many others, weather it be buying or giving them something or just plane being a friend and jumping with them. I love the fact that I always know that if I want someone to jump with I will always have one no matter how many jumps I have. People in this sport are the most awesome group of people ever. I love you all... Kathryn Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lummy 4 #13 August 26, 2003 I agree completely with Bill on this... and an example... About 7 years ago, me n my (now ex) wife were'nt doing too well financially. We had a ratty ole Honda civic that just up n died on us leaving us carless. My daughter was just a few months old at the time. One of my bosses wife had just bought a new car. Out of the kindness of her heart, she gave us her old pickup truck. That truck served us well. We called it "God's truck" because it was a blessing. Three years ago, my X got a new car. She knew a single mom of 3 who didn't have a car. That single mom now is driving God's truck.I promise not to TP Davis under canopy.. I promise not to TP Davis under canopy.. eat sushi, get smoochieTTK#1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
baa75 0 #14 August 26, 2003 Just to clarify... No where was I saying that giving things to people who need them is wrong. That's really awesome what you did with your truck and Bill with his gear but this is different. I will gladly give food, clothes, gear, etc if I have it and someone needs it. (Actually I regularly do this. I live just outside of Philly and there are plenty of people worse off than me.) What is bothering me is that these people are putting out ads asking for other people to buy them gear or give them money. Not for food, for gear! THAT is what bothers me. I was always taught that if you want something bad enough you work hard and make sacrifices to make it happen. Not just put out ads begging for hand outs. (Granted it been found that beggars on the streets of my city can make more in a day than I make in a week!) BettyAnn Getting married? Check out my website! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #15 August 26, 2003 QuoteI have given away thousands of dollars in coaching jumps just as many others have Ooohhh....does this mean I get one when I visit Eloy soon? QuoteGranted it been found that beggars on the streets of my city can make more in a day than I make in a week! Yeah.....but they blow it all on Ripple and Heroin. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bbarnhouse 0 #16 August 26, 2003 QuoteOoohhh....does this mean I get one when I visit Eloy soon LOL well Clay for you...I'm charging double my normal fee... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skyrose7 0 #17 August 26, 2003 baa, I completely agree with you.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The mind is like a parachute--it works better when it is open. JUMP. MaryRose Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pyke 0 #18 August 26, 2003 Well - I bought my last container from a guy who was giving it up and he gave it to me for a great deal. It got me in the air and gave me my love for the sport. It was an ugly rig, and often criticized for it's looks, but I had to be in the plane with you in order to get criticized, so who was really laughing?? (cyber!!??) I've emailed this person and offered to sell them both my container and my old main for a good price. I wouldn't think of selling something that wasn't up to airworthy, but I also recommended they get a rigger's opinion on it too! I'll fill you in on it if anything happens. I hope this doesn't make me a bad person, and I can relate to loving a sport you can't afford (i'm sure most on here can!), but if I can help bring another whuffo into the mix - who knows...that could be the next Olav, Dan B-C, or Roger Nelson! I hold a deep amount of respect for the individuals who gave of themselves to help on my journey (including the latest gift of my first BM flight - which I'm eternally debted for!! PZ you're the shiznit!) - and I feel it's part of the sport to be very accomodating to the next phase. Disagree?? Flame away... Kahurangi e Mahearangi, Kiwi, RB #926, AFF-I, FAA Snr. Rigger, RN/BSN/Paramedic Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #19 August 26, 2003 For all of you who think there's nothing wrong with this....look at their feedback and the other stuff they're buying on EBay. For instance, the first thing I clicked on was a flat panel LCD monitor for a couple hundred bucks. Not what I think a single mother would consider a necessity. Didn't click on any of the other dozens of other purchases they made to see what they are. Needing help is one thing. Wanting a hand out when you could do it on your own is quite another. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #20 August 26, 2003 Ok...had to look at other things they've bought. Just about every skydiving knick knack on the web, amounting to hundreds of dollars. And just about every product you can get with "Tommy Hilfiger" written on it. Puhhh leeesee Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leroydb 0 #21 August 26, 2003 Quote That single mom now is driving God's truck. Sometimes a single act of kindness can sprout into many acts of kindness.....Leroy ..I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw my bath toys were a toaster and a radio... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #22 August 26, 2003 Quotewell Clay for you...I'm charging double my normal fee.. Oh cool.....then you won't mind if I take you out on exit and then on regular intervals throughout the skydive. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
baa75 0 #23 August 26, 2003 That was a really nice gesture. Wish you were around when I was looking for cheap used gear. I don't know what kind of gear you have but please remember that the person who set up the Ebay ad has made 1 tandem and hasn't even started AFF yet. I also wrote to her...asking that she please be careful and not jump someing just because its the right price. Not just for airworthyness but she hasn't even started jumping yet. This particular person is excited after her first jump (as we all were) and is getting a bit ahead of herself. If money is such a problem (that she needs to beg online) she needs to worry about funding (and passing) her AFF jumps before worring about buying gear. BettyAnn Getting married? Check out my website! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflygoddess 0 #24 August 26, 2003 You have got to be kidding me. I can't believe that. It is one thing to be trully needy and another to be trully greedy. It reminds me of that mother who would shave her daughters hair at night and tell everyone including the daughter that she had cancer to get money from all of her neighbors. That is SICK. Kathryn Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
baa75 0 #25 August 26, 2003 QuoteNeeding help is one thing. Wanting a hand out when you could do it on your own is quite another. That's EXACTLY what I'm mean!!! BettyAnn Getting married? Check out my website! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
