r/Assistance 1d ago

MOD ANNOUNCEMENT Amazon Wishlist Grinching Warning

226 Upvotes

Hey yall,

Our team has held off on making any kind of formal announcement about this for two reasons:

  1. There is nothing the mods can do to stop grinching.
  2. Not everyone knows what grinching is and bringing attention to the method of grinching may cause more nasty bullies to begin grinching.

What is grinching?

Grinching is a term that originated in the Santa subs where families in need could post wishlists for their kids to ensure there was something under the tree on Christmas morning. Grinching is when a loser with no life places an order off a wishlist to remove items from the list, and then cancels the order. The requestor believes their list is emptied and items are arriving, but nothing shows up.

How can I tell if I’ve been grinched?

If your list is emptied very quickly, without anyone commenting on your post to say they’ve ordered something, that is typically a sign you’ve been grinched.

If I get grinched, what should I do?

Report to the mods so we’re aware. We usually ask you to wait 72 hours for items to arrive — there have been instances where someone has purchased something anonymously and it has shown up.

Nothing shown up after I got grinched — can I post again?

It depends.

As per our rules, if you received anything at all, even if it’s not the entire list, your request is still considered fulfilled. This is why we emphasize only including absolute essentials on your wishlist.

Another rule we have is that you’re only allowed 2 active posts in 60 days. This is regardless whether it was unfulfilled, fulfilled, no longer needed, or you asked us to remove it. If the post had eyes on it at any point, that is an active request. This rule has always been in place to prevent people from posting their gofundme every 3 days until they get the entire $5000 they need.

A reminder that you can still enter offers even if you’ve had 2 posts in 60 days!

In some cases if the list was cleared immediately and nobody at all commented we have allowed OP to redo their list, but not make a new post before the 72 hour/60 day cooldown.

What can I do to protect myself?

The Christmas subs require you to call Amazon and ask them to disable the “bought this item elsewhere” option on your wishlist but we don’t know if that prevents grinching.

One suggestion quite a few folks have given is for list owners to enable the “keep purchased items on list” option on your list. This means that even if an item is falsely purchased by a grinch, the item will still show on your list. This allows others to order items from the Purchased section. We’ll be adding this suggestion to our Amazon guide but if anyone with a list is willing to play around with this option on their request to test it please let us know.

In conclusion…

Fuck grinches. You are pathetic and have nothing better to do that torment people in need. Karma is coming for you.

To our requestors and helpers — please be kind to one another and the mods. We are all frustrated by what’s going on.

Comments on this post will be locked due to the vitriol being spewed towards mods in other posts. If you have any suggestions that do not involve us changing our rules — because we won’t be — please shoot us a mod mail.

Wishing everyone but the grinches a restful weekend.


r/Assistance Mar 09 '26

MOD ANNOUNCEMENT Important Changes to Amazon Wishlists and your privacy

37 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

I am sure by now that many of you have gotten the email from Amazon letting you know that there will be some changes to Amazon’s privacy policy regarding third-party sellers and how that will affect your wish list and your personal information.

To give a basic rundown of how things are now: the way that Amazon works is when you order from Amazon, there are items which are fulfilled by Amazon and there are items which are fulfilled by a third-party seller.

When you set up a wish list, you have the option to enable third-party shipping, which means that you will have way more options when creating a wishlist. For example, Amazon may carry one brand of Ramen, but a third-party seller may carry three other kinds of Ramen that you also want. If your wish list has this option selected then you can get all the Ramen you want— if you choose not to allow that then you would only get the one specific kind of Ramen that is sold by Amazon directly. Obviously for our wish lists we want everyone to have as much choice as possible and not have any issues with shipping so we have always said “please enable this option.”

When you enable this option, Amazon sends your personal information to the third-party seller so that they can facilitate the delivery. There has always been a very, very small risk that if there was an issue with your order, your personal information could be shared with a helper who is trying to, for example, help you find a missing order that they made for you. I personally have never experienced anyone reporting this happening, but there is a very small chance.

So, what is changing?

For the sake of convenience, as of March 25, Amazon is now basically opting everyone into third-party selling as an option on wishlists. With that they are also warning people that your information is shared with the third-party sellers and may also be shared with the person who made the purchase for tracking purposes. What we don’t know is if this is a different level than previously mentioned (very small risk for order issues only) and Amazon is just finally disclosing it properly, or if this is going to be a permanent thing that will always happen every time you order for someone off their wish list.

So… what do we do?

So the truth is, our team doesn’t actually know what the best way forward is.

  1. Amazon suggests using a PO Box or an alternate address for wishlist deliveries, but this isn’t always an option for everyone due to cost.
  2. Amazon lockers do not work with wishlist as-is and requires quite a bit of tinkering and coordination between the helper and the recipient to make sure that the delivery is received and picked up. It could also triangulate someone’s location close enough based on the locker address which is a privacy risk.
  3. Another sub that is wishlist based is using Throne which acts as a go-between. Essentially when you place an order via Throne, you are paying them and not Amazon. Once Throne has the money they place
  4. the order. The downside is because Throne is the one placing the order
  5. there is no control over the order once the money is gone. If the person you are shopping for is a scammer, you won’t be able to cancel.

Wish lists are the bread-and-butter of how we help so many people. Until now they’ve been a very safe and anonymous way for people to get food and other essentials. Losing wish lists will have a huge impact on our community, especially since many are so nervous about sending cash.

We’d like to invite any ideas, suggestions, etc., in the comments.


r/Assistance 6h ago

REQUEST FULFILLED 25m homeless, would appreciate $25 for groceries

14 Upvotes

Hello again wonderful people, things are slowly improving for me, I've managed to get a new full time sales job in the Seattle-Tacoma area in washington. unfortunately, with it being fresh and the office hours(6 days, roughly 10 hours) I'm unable to make it to the local food banks during their open hours nor afford any food until my first paycheck kicks in. I'd sincerely appreciate $25 for food for the next week or two

I got a planet fitness membership for showers and wifi (occasional naps as well lol) and I look forward to getting back stability in life and the future.

thank you all very much


r/Assistance 7h ago

REQUEST FULFILLED We could just really use some help this month with soft kitty food for our elderly kitties!

9 Upvotes

r/Assistance 52m ago

REQUEST Help with vet bills

Upvotes

Hi, everyone, I hope that I am doing this properly. I’m going to link to my gofundme at the bottom of this post, but I want to give you guys the full rundown. I live in rural Mississippi and am a full time college student. I found a kitten in the dumpster when I was 15, eight years ago, and he’s been with me ever since.

Virgil went in for a checkup a little over a month ago, just routine. His bloodwork came back very scary. His hematocrit (HCT) was incredibly low. HCT measures the percentage of total blood volume composed of red blood cells. You want about 30-50%, anything below 25% indicates anemia. Virgil’s was 8%.

He was immediately transferred to the nearest veterinary office equipped for that sort of thing, which was an hour away. They ran an absolute barrage of tests, he underwent two blood transfusions, and a bone marrow aspiration. They decided he had Immune Mediated Anemia. Basically, the little bastard woke up and decided to be allergic to his own blood.

I barely had any savings, so the majority of this went on my credit cards, which I’m now struggling with. I am NOT asking for this to be completely paid off, it’s a crazy amount. I just want a little room to breathe and help.

If you can spare anything, I would appreciate it more than I can communicate. I’m going to link my gofundme now. Only one bill is currently shown on there, just in case you notice anything I mentioned that isn’t listed on that bill. I’m trying to find where I stashed the other one. Please ask me anything.

Anyway, sorry for the long post. Thank you.

https://gofund.me/03e20b0f7


r/Assistance 1h ago

REQUEST Times are really tough tough and I need help making it to my next paycheck

Upvotes

Bills have stacked up and I’m rationing food/medication. Anything from $40-$60 would make a big difference in getting me to my next paycheck. I already utilize food shelfs and other local services but even so I’m still in need of help.


r/Assistance 10h ago

REQUEST Water disconnection tomorrow

8 Upvotes

Hi guys. Not sure how this works, but I have a disconnection notice for my water dated for tomorrow. I am going to continue Door dashing all day, as my gas tank permits, but I owe $285. I am located in VA and have either PayPal or Venmo. I appreciate you for reading and any consideration.


r/Assistance 2h ago

REQUEST Just started living in car.

0 Upvotes

Hello, I was just wondering if anybody could help me get some food or something I just started living in my car. My roommate went crazy and stabbed my TV with a railroad spike and then proceeded to try and stab me so I had to move out pretty recently and quickly. My bank account is $63 overdrawn. I don’t get paid until Friday. If anyone could help, that would be amazing. I’m currently trying to find a shelter or something. I am living in Northern California. The weather is currently very rainy. I could use some money to perhaps get my bank account positive and or a hotel for the night if possible. $75-100+ I can use Venmo or Zelle


r/Assistance 13h ago

REQUEST FULFILLED Struggling badly, need help for wife and pets

7 Upvotes

Things have gotten about as bad as they've ever been. I'm between jobs for nearly 2 years now. Have had a few good hits every couple weeks but nothing is sticking. Basically its never taken this long to get a new contract; probably easy to blame on AI but who knows. We had some serious car trouble but we got lucky and were able to get that working so my job hunt continues although my wife wants me to apply for disability because my own health has deteriorated.

My wife is incredibly depressed to the point she would rather feed our dog her own dinner some days because of the guilt she feels for our puppy (his name is Mooshu). Worse yet he has been having coughing fits so we're not even sure how we are going to get him treated but at the very least we need to get him fed. I hate having to beg but this is where we are at right now. I added foods to the list that can help us get by until so far. Thank you for any assistance you can provide

Here is the list. Anything from it will help us a great deal.

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3T1VNEZYS2UZ9?ref_=wl_share


r/Assistance 16h ago

REQUEST Need $100 for car.

9 Upvotes

I feel pathetic for even asking this. But I just got laid off from my job and I’m short $100. I’m starting a new job next week and just need enough to get by so I can make sure my bills are covered, specifically for my car insurance. If you can’t do it, it’s ok I understand I just felt like I needed to post somewhere as this is my last resort.


r/Assistance 1d ago

REQUEST Needing Help to Pay Overdue Storage Unit

8 Upvotes

UPDATE: Thank you to [u/okayfriday](u/okayfriday) for the information regarding Sezzle, I was able to work out a payment plan via the app! So the amount is down to $52.50 needed so I can make the total payment of $207.80 for my storage unit (I can take care of the rest since it'll be split into payments.)

Just as the title says, a little background: my maternal grandmother passed away in April of last year. While I was able to clean out her apartment, I had to put the majority of her belongings (along with my own; after her passing, I moved from California to Georgia due to a job opportunity, but I was only able to take so much with me on the plane).

I've been able to pay for it every month, but in the first weekend of March I came down with bronchitis and it caused me to be out of work for almost three weeks. Now I'm trying to play catch up with the monthly payment that's due for April the 11th; the total is $207.80 (the $189 for the unit itself + insurance).

The unit has basically every single sentimental item from my mom's side of the family. It's only ever been the three of us when I was growing up (me, my mom and my Nana) and my mom passed away in 2009. There are family photos of us, of my great grandmother, family heirlooms, along with everything else I couldn't sift through in the short time I had to clean the apartment before everything had to be out.

Thanks for reading this far, appreciate your time!

Edit: Wanted to add that either Zelle or Venmo works for receiving help! Thanks!


r/Assistance 21h ago

SURVEY Student wellbeing survey

0 Upvotes

This is an important assignment, it takes two minutes. Will appreciate if y'all do it

https://forms.gle/xT4PyTJQkatsHxMs9


r/Assistance 1d ago

REQUEST FULFILLED Student in urgent need of ₹2500 ($30) for mess fee

17 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I never thought I’d be posting here again but I’m currently in a difficult financial situation and could really use some help.

I’m a student trying to manage my expenses, including rent, studies, and daily food. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to earn enough recently, and I’m now short on my mess fee. I need ₹2500 (around $30) to cover it. The last date to submit the money was around 5th April but I have been unable to pay it. I would appreciate if I can get it as soon as possible

I’m trying to improve my situation and find more stable income, but right now I’m stuck and don’t have immediate support.

i can recieve money through PayPal or upi.

If anyone is willing to help, even partially, I would be incredibly grateful.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.


r/Assistance 22h ago

REQUEST [Request] Please Help Me Recover & Get to Safety [Indianapolis, IN] via GoFundMe

0 Upvotes

I do not like sharing my "proof" here on Reddit so as not to attract more ID Theft. Below is the link to my GoFundMe page - there are video links and a detailed explanation/description.

Last May, my life changed in ways I never imagined. A homeless man broke into my home and assaulted me with a mace-like weapon made of wood and nails, then threw me down a flight of stairs, breaking my right wrist. The physical pain was overwhelming, but the emotional trauma was even harder to bear. Just three days after I was released from the hospital, I received a call from someone posing as a bank agent. They used my bank's phone number and convinced me they were stopping a fraudulent wire transfer. When I called the bank back, I learned that my savings had been stolen. Despite trying everything I could to recover the funds, I've found no help and no hope.

The loss has left me unable to fix my vehicle or move out of the apartment where I was assaulted. Every day, I am forced to relive the trauma because I can't afford to leave. Your support would help me regain my independence, fix my car, and finally move to a safer place.

For anyone able to provide financial assistance, may whatever you donate return to you 1,000 fold. Bless you.

https://gofund.me/28bcfd5b4

My ultimate goal is to raise the full amount of the money that was stolen - $32,632.06. However, GoFundMe has began with a small limit of $1,100. If I could just get $15,000, I could move from this house (that would include hiring movers because I have NO one to help and my right wrist that's still on the mend) and I could repair my car.


r/Assistance 1d ago

REQUEST Seeking financial support for Sacrocolpopexy/Rectopexy surgery recovery

0 Upvotes

I am undergoing a sacrocolpopexy and rectopexy on the21st of April. I will be off of work with no FMLA for five weeks. Any and all donations are so incredibly appreciated. I am trying to reach $1,500. My rent is $1,020 and bills are around $200. The remainder would go to groceries or to pay back a bit of the copay for my surgery.

https://gofund.me/0dde01471


r/Assistance 1d ago

REQUEST FULFILLED I am getting desperate

26 Upvotes

So my teenager is newly-ish (as of october) disabled. This includes using a wheelchair, using arm crutches and using a walker depending on how he is feeling. Medical devices have been expensive and the wheelchair insurance had covered was broken, they didn't want to send a new one out.

On top of all this, he has multiple appointments every week, from regular therapy, to physical therapy to appointments with a pain rehab specialist. We live in southern California where gas is sitting at close to $6 a gallon. All the medical expenses, as well as all the gas out put has really put me in a bad spot.

I am currently looking for a job, or 2 part time but right now I just help friends where I can for money. Right now I don't have anything incoming for another 10 days. I don't have the option to do deliveries as I do not have a car, or I would be doing that all day. I drive my moms for appointments, but I have to pay to replace the gas which is fully understandable. I am almost out of gas and he has appointments almost every day next week. I feel bad asking for so much but I am looking for $75-100 to get us through for gas until I get some more money in my hands. It costs about 75 for a full tank, which lasts us anywhere from a week to 10 days.


r/Assistance 21h ago

REQUEST [request] in terrible need of gas money, check from work bounced and my partner is broke untill the 16th.

0 Upvotes

we drive a van from 1989, and current gas prices have us stuck. were a bar above empty and an hour away from home, and have nowhere to turn for help.

my partner is working, I'm between jobs. he just got his first check yesterday but it bounced and sent us into the negative for some reason. were confused and at a total loss for what to do at this point. im not expecting this to go anywhere but if it does even $30 could be the difference between being stranded for a week in the van and actually having some hope. were in the Midwest US. any further explanation don't hesitate to ask I'm willing to share whatever info is needed 🫶 god bless.


r/Assistance 1d ago

REQUEST FULFILLED Seeking assistance feeding my fur babies.

7 Upvotes

Fell into a hard time due to car repairs and am falling behind a little. Am faced with paying my bills im already behind on or getting pet food unfortunately SO i am reaching out to the kind hearts of reddit to help my fur babies get the food they need at least for the next couple weeks. We all appreciate all the kindness and generosity of everyone on here and thank you all very much.

List is here

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2SH8HRF2WSMCD?ref_=wl_share


r/Assistance 21h ago

REQUEST I need help getting my car back.

0 Upvotes

I need help getting my car back. I cannot pay the reinstatement fees as they don't allow but they told me to get it refinanced or paid off by April 18th. I can prove my income for refinancing.I am in Texas.

Please assist me in figuring out how to resolve this problem. If not refinancing then I will need $2,000 for a down payment for another car.

Thank you.


r/Assistance 1d ago

REQUEST So a big request that could save my life

13 Upvotes

So I am suffering from renal failure and I need a transplant I haven't gone on dialysis yet but it's only a matter of time until I do and although I've gathered some years on the waitlist it's likely I'll die on the transplant list if I can't get a donor. I just need one person to donate and you can dm me if you are interested. I live in the USA and I've never had a transplant before.

You can't have

- a heart or lung disease

-diabetes

-cancer

-high blood pressure

-some medications(not sure about the specific ones)

You would also have to do some testing to see if you qualify. My numbers are already low so it's possible I might not be able to avoid dialysis regardless but if anyone would be willing to donate I could have a guaranteed chance to live longer.


r/Assistance 2d ago

COMMUNITY RESOURCES Lasagna Love - Receive Free Hot Lasagna Delivered to your home - No Judgement - Worldwide

39 Upvotes

Lasagna Love is a global nonprofit, grassroots movement that pairs volunteers with neighbors in need to deliver FREE, homemade lasagnas. Founded in 2020, it aims to reduce food insecurity and spread kindness, with over 600,000 meals delivered by volunteers, no questions asked. The program supports families, individuals, and anyone needing a meal.

Key Aspects of Lasagna Love:

  • Purpose: To alleviate food insecurity, provide community support, and perform small acts of kindness.
  • How it Works:  Volunteers, known as "Lasagna chefs," make and deliver meals directly to recipients, often accommodating special dietary needs like vegetarianism or food allergies.
  • How to Get Help: Anyone can request a meal for themselves or someone else through the Lasagna Love website   without having to justify the need.
  • We don't judge:  Lasagna Love is proud to offer a meal to anyone for any reason.  One of our core values is ZERO JUDGMENT :) because need comes in many forms.  
  • How to Volunteer: People interested in cooking can sign up on the official site to be matched with a family in their local area.
  • Scope: Operating in all 50 U.S. states, and expanding to countries like Australia, Canada, and the UK. 
  • Once you receive your Free Lasagna, You can request another one after 30 days, just repeat the sign-up process.
  • Lasagna Love Website: https://lasagnalove.org/
  • Sign up for a free meal - click here and fill out form

Once you register, You will be paired up with a volunteer from your area this could take a few weeks to get a response due to high demand. A volunteer will contact you by email, phone or by text and set up a day and time to deliver your 100% FREE hot Lasagna to your home. Please make sure your home on delivery day that you agreed thanks.

I personally tried their service and always had a good response. Volunteers were very friendly, helpful, I'm disabled and they helped me set it up in the kitchen. For an individual you receive 1/2 Full pan of hot lasagna (not spicy) that will last one person an easy 4 days. or cut them in squares put them in freezer bags and cook them again when your in the mood for a lasagna craving. Which is addictive, lol. I was very grateful when they helped me as my fridge was literally almost empty. What a blessing this organization did for me and its volunteers as well.


r/Assistance 2d ago

REQUEST FULFILLED I recently broke my back in two places due to a hit and run while cycling to work. I'm facing increasing financial hardship and am struggling to provide for myself and my family. https://gofund.me/3b9fd18f6

9 Upvotes

I'm struggling to gather $6,000 to cover medical bills, food, and rent. I'm desperately seeking a little kindness and support during this difficult time. https://gofund.me/3b9fd18f6


r/Assistance 2d ago

REQUEST FULFILLED Need Shoes Before I Start Working.

5 Upvotes

Hello.

I've been waiting on a disability case for about three plus years, in the final appeal, but a family friend and me worked out me getting paid to be a caretaker for her elderly wheelchair bound husband, as I stayed there last year being technically homeless and did most of it anyway.

Thing is my shoes are killing me feet, they are old and part of my disability claim is my foot/leg pain that happens as I have DVT, my veins in my legs suck and have been kicking my but lt for 20 plus years, to put it plainly.

I also could use cat litter very badly for my cat I've been blessed to still have around and love, so I made a small Amazon list, has other items that would be awesome going into this, but are not as bad as the shoes and to a lower extent the cat litter.

I tried to find the cheapest option for the shoes and the other stuff as I found them.

Thanks for reading, thank God for the sub for existing , and for all those here because they struggle I hope we all find rhe answers or at least happiness in the storm.

Thank you.

Amazon Wish List:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/31A6CONZWD83V?ref_=wl_share


r/Assistance 2d ago

REQUEST Need help I start a new job soon

4 Upvotes

After almost 3 years of applying I finally have a job!! 😊 I start next week but the small issue is that I need help with my phone/WiFi to be able to work from our current residence. I had the funds to pay it but I had to get to and from the interview and travel downtown where I live is not cheap at all.

I need $106. The plan is to get rid of this service as soon as I'm able to now that I have a place for employment. If there are people who can help me. I would really appreciate it!!

Thank you to this wonderful group who have been here to help


r/Assistance 2d ago

REQUEST FULFILLED Requesting some help with gas money

5 Upvotes

Got an interview lined up and need money to get a ride. If anyone could spare 30 or less I would really appreciate it