u/in_one_sock_

So, this is entirely my mistake as a seller, and I just want to resolve it in the fairest way possible.

I think I accidentally double-sold an item. I’ve been moving in with my partner over the last couple of months which has meant selling a LOT of my things. I’ve been listing things left right and centre for months, and have sold over 100 of my items by now.

I got a notification that somebody had purchased a top from me this morning that I listed maybe 9-10 months ago. I was initially confused because I could’ve sworn I already sold it. When I went to look through my previous sales, it doesn’t seem to come up though, and Vinted hides my oldest sales from me so I can’t even see what those are. I already messaged somebody who bought a bundle from me saying “Hey, so sorry! But did you happen to buy this top?”

I’m going to have a deep dive through all my things just in case I still have it, but I’m pretty sure it’s gone.

As I said, entirely my fault! I just feel bad for the girl and don’t want to come off like some pro-seller trying to scam anyone. I also don’t want it to affect my rating by just cancelling on her. What should I do?

Hi! I posted on here about a month ago and am grateful to have been able to interview a few people! This is my last post seeking volunteers. I am a student in the UK at the University of East Anglia, looking for participants for my Master’s thesis on human-AI relationships, which is a pilot study for a funded PhD on the same topic next year. I am looking for 9 more volunteers!

You are eligible if you:

·       Are over the age of 18

·       Speak English fluently (though it does not have to be perfect)

·       Have been/are in a romantic relationship with an AI being

What's involved: one interview, roughly an hour long, by audio or video call (your choice — so far everyone's used Microsoft Teams). Participation is voluntary and unpaid, but it would offer valuable insight towards future academic literature on AI relationships.

This research aims to provide a nuanced examination of human-AI romantic relationships from the perspectives of those directly involved, focusing on the way they experience, navigate, and internalise these relationships. The study will discuss how they make sense of intimacy and authenticity in their interactions with their AI partners. This research does not seek to evaluate these relationships against normative definitions of romantic partnership, nor to pathologise participants’ experiences, but centres their subjective meanings as individually valid. This study will not negotiate the sentience of artificial intelligence or its validity in providing emotional support and connection.

Your privacy matters a lot to me. Everything is handled under GDPR. You'll be fully anonymised in the paper, with all identifying details being altered or redacted, and you can sign the consent form with a pseudonym. I don't need to know your real name at any point (I will need an email address I can send the consent document to). I'll send you a full information sheet covering all of this before you commit to anything. It will cover: the aims of this research, contact details of my advisor, and how your data will be handled. I can also provide evidence of my institutional ethical approval if that offers any reassurance!

Interested, or want to ask a question first? DM me here, or email me at mtw20sku@uea.ac.uk — all contact will come from this address. I'd love to chat! Thank you so much for reading!

Hi! I am a student in the UK at the University of East Anglia, looking for participants for my Master’s thesis on human-AI relationships, which is a pilot study for a funded PhD on the same topic next year. I am looking for 9 more volunteers!

You are eligible if you:

·       Are over the age of 18

·       Speak English fluently (though it does not have to be perfect)

·       Have been/are in a romantic relationship with an AI being

What's involved: one interview, roughly an hour long, by audio or video call (your choice — so far everyone's used Microsoft Teams). Participation is voluntary and unpaid, but it would offer valuable insight towards future academic literature on AI relationships.

This research aims to provide a nuanced examination of human-AI romantic relationships from the perspectives of those directly involved, focusing on the way they experience, navigate, and internalise these relationships. The study will discuss how they make sense of intimacy and authenticity in their interactions with their AI partners. This research does not seek to evaluate these relationships against normative definitions of romantic partnership, nor to pathologise participants’ experiences, but centres their subjective meanings as individually valid. This study will not negotiate the sentience of artificial intelligence or its validity in providing emotional support and connection.

Your privacy matters a lot to me. Everything is handled under GDPR, you'll be fully anonymised, and you can sign the consent form with a pseudonym. I don't need to know your real name at any point. I'll send you a full information sheet covering all of this before you commit to anything. It will cover: the aims of this research, contact details of my advisor, and how your data will be handled. I can also provide evidence of my institutional ethical approval if that offers any reassurance!

Interested, or want to ask a question first? DM me here, or email me at mtw20sku@uea.ac.uk — all contact will come from this address. I'd love to chat! Thank you so much for reading!

Hello!

I am fully aware that the term "research" can elicit some wariness in this community, which I understand wholeheartedly. I am a postgraduate student in the UK dedicating my research to human-AI bonds, and the benefits they provide to those who form and maintain them. I can confirm that I am NOT a reporter, not seeking to pathologise or promote any further misunderstanding of human-AI relationships, but am looking to gather research participants who may be interested in an interview/discussion with me about their relationship, how they came to form it, what it means to them in their daily life, and essentially learn a little bit about you and your partner.

I gained formal ethical approval for this research from an institutional ethics committee, and will provide Participant Information sheets to anybody who would like to be involved in my research. This will be my focus for the next few years of my studies, so I would love the opportunity to connect with you and tell your story!

Here is a brief overview of what participation would involve:

·       Interviews – One semi-structured interview lasting no longer than two hours in total. You can choose the format you feel most comfortable with – video call, audio-only call, or written chat.

·       Anonymity – Your privacy will be protected. In the final dissertation, or any write-ups, you’ll only ever be referred to anonymously by being given a pseudonym. No names or identifying details will appear, and your information will be destroyed as soon as the paper is written. Even my advisor will not know the names of my participants unless you may need to contact them, and all data will be stored in password-protected files.

·       Ethics and Consent – You will receive a clear, accessible Participant Information Sheet and Consent Form before any data-collection begins. These will outline what to expect, the kinds of themes we might discuss, and your rights. You may withdraw at any point without any penalty or consequence. I will also provide the contact details of my academic advisor, so that you know there are people to turn to if you have concerns. I expect to be held accountable by my advisors and ethics committee just the same as I hold myself accountable.

·       Safeguards – I have experience with ethical reviews and conducting interviews with sensitive topics, and I aim to build a positive relationship with those I am talking to. My aim is to create a safe, respectful environment where you feel comfortable sharing on your own terms. You will also be given the opportunity in advance to skip any topics or questions you may simply not want to answer, with no negative repercussions or further questioning.

·       Practical Details – There is no financial incentive. Instead, it is an opportunity for those who want their experiences heard and represented in academic research.

If this post resonates with you and you’d be open to sharing your story, please feel free to send me a private message where we can exchange emails and I can send over further information. Even if you are uncertain, but curious, I would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, even if you choose not to participate, I appreciate the opportunity!