Friend Betrays Bargain Hunter: AITA for Keeping Discount Shopping Secrets from Reselling Pal?

Some people don’t recognize a favor, they just recognize a profit margin. In this Reddit story, a bargain hunter starts out sharing discount shopping tips like it’s no big deal, until her friend turns those tips into a resale hustle.

The OP, who’s always hunting for deals, keeps helping her friend Lily find the best discounts on everything from clothes to electronics. But then the OP spots one of the exact items she recommended listed on a resale platform, and that’s when the betrayal hits. Lily asks for more tips after that, acting like nothing happened, while the OP goes quiet because she feels used.

Now it’s a friendship versus commerce mess, and the question is whether keeping secrets makes the OP the bad guy.

Original Post

So, I'm a bargain hunter, always looking for the best deals. My friend, let's call her Lily, has always admired how I manage to find amazing discounts on various products, from clothes to electronics.

She often asks me for advice on where to shop and what to buy. Recently, I noticed that whenever I recommend something to her, she buys it but then resells it online at a higher price without mentioning it to me.

I stumbled upon one of my recommended items on a resale platform and realized she's been profiting off my suggestions. I felt betrayed and used.

When Lily asked me for more discount shopping tips, I decided to withhold them, feeling like she doesn't deserve my help after taking advantage of my recommendations. She noticed my change in behavior and confronted me, asking why I was being distant with my shopping advice.

I hesitated to tell her the real reason because I didn't want to confront her about her reselling activities. Now, I'm torn between helping her out as a friend and feeling taken advantage of.

So, AITA?

The Nature of Trust

This story digs deep into the complexities of trust within friendships. The OP's decision to withhold discount shopping tips from a friend who resells items highlights a fracture in their relationship. What seems like a harmless act of self-preservation actually reveals underlying tensions about loyalty and competition. The OP feels betrayed, and it's understandable—after all, sharing shopping secrets is an act of camaraderie. Yet, when those secrets are used for profit, it raises the question: where's the line between friendship and business?

This situation resonates with readers because it reflects a common struggle: navigating friendships when money is involved. Many can relate to feeling taken advantage of, especially when friends turn into competitors. The moral gray area here is fascinating—who's right when both parties feel justified in their actions?

That cheerful “here’s where to shop” energy flips fast once the OP realizes Lily is buying the recommendations and reselling them online.

Comment from u/jazzCat99

YTA, but I get why you're upset. You should talk to Lily about how her actions have made you feel rather than cutting her off cold turkey.

Comment from u/sunsetDreamer_22

NTA. Lily should've been upfront with you about reselling the items you recommended. Friendship should be built on trust and honesty.

Comment from u/coffee_lover123

YTA. Maybe Lily didn't see anything wrong with reselling items. Communication is key - talk it out with her before making assumptions.

Comment from u/gardenGnome87

ESH. Lily shouldn't profit from your suggestions without letting you know, but cutting her off completely might be a bit harsh. Have an honest conversation.

It gets extra messy when Lily comes back for more discount tips, like the betrayal was just a misunderstanding.

Comment from u/musicLover444

NTA. Your feelings are valid. It's understandable to feel betrayed when someone takes advantage of your help without being transparent about it.

It also echoes the AITA where someone revealed a friend’s deceit after gift-buying together.

Comment from u/whisperingWillow

YTA. If you value the friendship, have a heart-to-heart with Lily about how her actions hurt you. She might not have realized the impact of her reselling.

Comment from u/random_unicorn92

ESH. Lily should've been open about the resale, but communication is key. Sit down and talk to her about how you feel so you can both understand each other better.

The OP’s silence is basically a warning sign, and Lily confronts her about why she’s being distant with shopping advice.

Comment from u/stellarNightSky

NTA. It's natural to feel upset when someone takes advantage of your generosity. Express your concerns to Lily and see if you can find common ground.

Comment from u/tropical_breeze99

YTA. While it's frustrating that Lily didn't disclose her resale activities, cutting off your discount tips without explaining why isn't the best approach. Communication is key.

Comment from u/bubbly_wave

ESH. Lily should've been honest about reselling, and you should've addressed your concerns openly with her instead of pulling back. Communicate openly to resolve this.

Instead of admitting Lily’s resale scheme, the OP hesitates, and that hesitation is what keeps the whole situation stuck in moral gray area.

Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section.

The Divided Community Response

The reactions in the Reddit thread are split, showcasing how personal experiences shape opinions on loyalty and fairness. Some users empathize with the OP, arguing that withholding shopping secrets is a reasonable response to betrayal. Others criticize the OP for not being supportive enough, suggesting that friendships should transcend financial gain. This debate taps into a broader conversation about the ethics of friendship in the age of reselling and monetization.

The differing perspectives reveal how subjective the concept of 'betrayal' can be. For some, loyalty means sharing everything, while for others, it's about protecting one's own interests. This complex web of emotions and expectations makes the story relatable and sparks a lively discussion about friendships in a world that often feels transactional.

This story illustrates the fragile balance in relationships where personal interests and financial motives collide. As readers reflect on their own friendships, it raises an intriguing question: how do we define loyalty when the lines between support and competition blur? What would you do in the OP's shoes?

What It Comes Down To

The situation between the original poster (OP) and her friend Lily is a classic case of blurred lines between friendship and business. The OP's feelings of betrayal stem from discovering that Lily was reselling items she recommended without being transparent about it, making her feel exploited. This breach of trust understandably leads the OP to withhold her discount tips as a form of self-preservation. It highlights how easily friendships can become complicated when financial motives enter the equation, leaving both parties feeling justified yet hurt.

Nobody wants to be the supplier of someone else’s resale profits.

Still wondering if Lily deserves your discount tips? Read this AITA about withholding money-saving shopping secrets from a best friend.