Freecycle (merged)

athensgeorgia

miss-piggin wrote: »

Last week I was lucky enough to be given a baby walker on freecycle, which I really need for my baby and as I've been made redundant couldn't afford to buy. I was shocked when I collected it as the lady told me, within half an hour of advertising it she had 23 requests - and the reason she choose me I was the only one who said please.

I've done that too when i was a freecycle newbie, I listed some baby stuff and the person i chose out of many was the only who said they needed it for a new baby. I know most of them were probably genuine but i couldn't help but think if they didn't even mention the baby did they really need it. And the person i chose did say please

d.o.o.g

Freecycle is a great concept as long as people (both offerers and recipients) follow the rules and don't try to make it more than it is supposed to be.

I actually think that the "I want shot of it but it has to go to the right person" attitude is as bad as some of the others.

The idea of freecycle is to help people to get rid of things in a different way than putting it on a landfill. It is not a charity, nor does it exist to make you feel better about yourself. Once you start worrying about the motives of the person taking the item you are moving away from just stopping it going to the tip.

Of course you shouldn't end up with more effort than if you'd taken it to the tip. of course you should expect people to be courteous etc. But worrying about whether it will end up on ebay or at a carboot sale? If you think its worth something sell it yourself, and if you can't be bothered why worry if someone else does? You got rid of it and it didn't end up polluting the planet.

/rant

(btw, none of this belongs on the freeby forum)

Nomini

I must say I have never got anything from Freecycle simply because people are mostly inclined to sell anything that is still in usable condition rather than Freecycle it. That said, it's a perfectly good idea and if it helps some of the time, that's better than nothing. And to be honest, it's not like I expect people to be throwing out IPhones or brand new laptops or anything anyway - that isn't why I joined...but I don't think everyone who uses the service could say the same. There are too many poachers, looking for a good freebie.

Rab19

Snoopy_rules wrote: »

Has anyone noticed how if something of value or unusual gets offer such as telly, xbox, caravan, car etc. After it has gone there are always loads of posts asking for one. Do these people genuinely need one? Its as if they see something listed and then decide they want one.

I've noticed that - I can't stand seeing those greedy posts on there!

Personally, I've only ever asked for 1 thing (which I still haven't got ) which is a Buggy Board. I've seen them offered, but never get selected to receive one. I wouldn't DREAM of asking for a 40 inch tv, PS3, PSP or Laptop - surely people who have stuff like that to get rid of, will be putting it on eBay anyway!

I offer loads of stuff & use the 'fair' policy of waiting a day before deciding who gets it, in case people only get online once a day - it's just nice!


Rab x x

HugoSP

Wow! A lot of replies since this morning.

Just to clarify a few issues.

1) To be fair to me, I did state in my posts that this needed to be picked up quickly, I actually gave deadlines, as this item was in my way. The woman who originally said she wanted it should have taken that on board in my view, not just left me hanging around.

If I could have held onto it for a few days I would have. The fact of the matter is that I couldn't. It was either take it to the tip or someone collect it straight away.

2) When I repeated the post I again made it clear that this item was collection only and needed to be picked up that day. I still got two people wanting to pick it up on Thursday. To be fair, one of them was someone who had posted a wanted ad and I had replied to, the other was obviously a complete muppet, as the bit about "This item needs to go TODAY or it will go to the tip" completely passed them by.

The other classic was the 3 e mails from the same muppet who wanted it delivered, again the bit about "must be collected" passed that one by.

I can only assume that some people don't read the whole post.

As to other recipients. I recently gave away some tools. Previously I gave away two tile cutters to the same woman. She appeared in my absence, which was fine but my wife says that she didn't seem at all grateful, and I got no thank you e mail. I don't expect eternal gratitude but when someone is given something they need it is customery for them to acknowlege that they have been helped out.

A few days ago I gave away an old drill. The response couldn't have been more different. There was a clear 'thank you' from the lady who picked it up and I got a thank you e mail posted to the group.

robin_banks

I suspect many of those now wanting PC's Laptops only do so sell on ebay.

A post on a similar thread to this a few weeks ago found that a freecycler had the same user ID on freecycle and ebay, and items requested on freecycle had found thier way on to ebay.

nementai

I love freecycle - I've pretty much furnished my flat from it, and now I have a bit more money I can afford to 'upgrade' (thanks to gumtree ) the bits and pieces one at a time.
But, like most people seem to be saying, I'm fed up of rude people, no-shows and getting 478 emails.
I've ended up putting anything we're getting rid of on our front drive with a note to 'help yourself' on it. I did this with a whole variety stuff that was too rubbish for a charity shop or ebay (several pots of half used nail varnish etc) and the whole lot was gone in about 4 hours (including the newspaper and riverford box we'd put them out in!)
But that sort of thing is common practice round here - I've had several items that have just been left on walls / drives.
I was burnt by freecycle though - on getting a heavy washing machine up 3 flights of stairs, we found it didn't work. cost us £15 to have it removed by the council. Was not a happy bunny.

upsadaisy

I agree about more time wasting going on. I have posted an item twice now and recieved responses immediately and given my number for people to ring and pick it up and they never do. I usually found people to be pretty prompt.

As for books though, I sell mine on amazon and if I can't get shot of them that way, I donate them to the local library.

And more and more its just wanted and not much offered.

MORPH3US

tired_mum wrote: »

I was one of the first members of freecycle in my area but am considering not bothering any more this weekend just gone I offered a large bag of books had a few replies but most were a little bit suspect to say the least i.e.
1. I can collect today can i have your address
2. what condition are the books in
3. are we talking about boot sale amounts
If I wanted the books to be sold i would do it myself I just wanted people to have the pleasure that I have had from them whilst not using landfill not for others to make a profit or to be so grasping. Unfortunatly I feel that there are some on the groups who are out to exploit and as such do tend to put off genuine peeps. The books went to the charity shop in the end as i just couldnt be asked to sift through the lies

Whilst I do understand what you are saying, and personally I would be the same, if no one else wanted them then whats the problem?

You want rid of something and can't be bothered to sell it / isn't worth the hassle to sell it, so if someone else can be bothered to sell it then good luck to them.

As someone else said, the whole point of freecycle is to stop stuff going to landfill....

ravernoloo

I always say please on freecycle as it is such a grateful gesture to offer something for free for people who really need it. But i have trouble when i offer. I am currently living in a youth hostel, but doesnt mean i dont have a heart. I have offered a pair of straighteners before and as soon as i mentioned YMCA the people didnt respond back! It just goes to show how stereotypical people are these days x