Freecycle (merged)

grannybiker

craftlady wrote: »

I have just signed up to freecycle but am having a few problems - or it may be just me being a bit slow:o . how do I view the board or do i have to get 100 emails a day:eek: . Seems like a good scheme if i knew how to use it properly

For some reason, the default setting on joining Freecycle seems to be that you receive each and every post as a separate email. Can be pretty scary!
However, it doesn't need to be like that. You need to go to your profile and "Edit" your preferences. Change to "Receive Daily Digest" then you'll just get an email every 25 (ish) posts, or daily, whichever's sooner.
Sounds like you're a member of a pretty large group, so by the law of averages you'll encounter more of the problems that people grumble about. Please don't get despondent about it- after all, you don't let a few rude and inconsiderate drivers stop you using your car?
Regarding asking for things, always be friendly, polite, (please & thank-yous can sadly be rather lacking!) and if the post asks for a phone number or an idea of when you can collect- do so! Common sense approach that's always worked for us!
Freecycle's a great concept and you do meet some lovely people.
Wishing you many positive Freecycle experiences.

lbt_2

Hi Madmam

In our group we are encouraged to wait 24 hours before replying to any of the messages so that we can give the item to the person of our choice rather than whoever responds the quickest. When I reply I don't give a big sob story but I do explain why it would be useful for me. I recently gave away a huge pile of cookery books to our local secondary school, and if she hadn't have mentioned in her email that she wanted them for the school I would have assumed they were for her use at home but because they were for the school I thought it was a more worthy cause. Maybe that would help? I also wonder if I am a bit lucky too - I am at my computer a lot as well, but also I have given away sooooo much stuff recently that anyone who is a regular freecycler couldn't fail to miss it - people like to give things to others that they know contribute to freecycle rather than just take. You said that you have given things away so maybe you have been a bit unlucky - just keep trying.

bigmuffins, I love the idea of having to post locally first. We have two groups really close to each other (I am probably in the middle of both) and most people join both groups and post to both at exactly the same time. It just means that someone might have to travel further to get the item which defeats the object of freecycle.

Can't understand why people do get on their high horse though :huh: I would rather my things went to someone who was going to use it themselves, but if no one wants it on that basis then as long as someone comes and takes it away, I don't mind. If they sell it, that's fine, as long as they don't dump it. Anyway, charity shops can be pretty fussy!!!!

Hi Craftlady, you should be able to view the messages on the board by longing in via Yahoo. I set up a separate address for freecycle because I want the emails as and when they are sent, but I want to choose when I look at them. You can set it up so you just get a daily digest (one email with all of the messages on at the end of each day) but in our area you would be likely to miss out on anything you wanted if you had it set up that way.

Give me a shout if I can help.

lbt_2

grannybiker wrote: »

For some reason, the default setting on joining Freecycle seems to be that you receive each and every post as a separate email. Can be pretty scary!
However, it doesn't need to be like that. You need to go to your profile and "Edit" your preferences. Change to "Receive Daily Digest" then you'll just get an email every 25 (ish) posts, or daily, whichever's sooner.
Sounds like you're a member of a pretty large group, so by the law of averages you'll encounter more of the problems that people grumble about. Please don't get despondent about it- after all, you don't let a few rude and inconsiderate drivers stop you using your car?
Regarding asking for things, always be friendly, polite, (please & thank-yous can sadly be rather lacking!) and if the post asks for a phone number or an idea of when you can collect- do so! Common sense approach that's always worked for us!
Freecycle's a great concept and you do meet some lovely people.
Wishing you many positive Freecycle experiences.

Our posts crossed, but I couldn't agree more with all of the points you made. Also I don't think people appreciate the hard work that the mods put in out of their own time. I recently gave away an exercise machine, I had loads of responses but I chose a lady who had arthritis and wanted a more gentle way of exercising. I have recently found out that she is one of our moderators, so I was pleased that not only did the item go the best cause, but one of our moderators got something back for all of the time they put in :T

Cherryscone

dobbiesloan wrote: »

That is because the moderators get first choice

WHAT ARE YOU JOKING?

grannybiker

OK, you've had my tips as an "Asker," here are some as an "Offerer!"
I always describe my items accurately, mentioning any little fault to save disappointment.
I post on the site closest to me first, but the rare time I get no takers, I post on a neighbouring, larger group where things are usually snatched up. (My local group is quite small in comparison, so we're not so plagued by "Grabbers!") I then take my item into my Mum's when I visit her for people to collect from there. This saves them coming all the way out to me. If, however, it won't fit in my car, then collection is down to them completely!
I don't always offer to 1st to respond as I try and be fair. Not everyone can be at their PC 24/7. Also, those who respond quickly can be the worst offenders at the dreaded "No-show" as they may not have considered the practical implications of collection before asking.
If I'm inundated, 1st to be weeded out are the 1 liners / those with lack of courtesy / manners.
I then read the others carefully and draw up a shortlist. This can depend on things like how far they'll be coming to collect my item, (special car journeys rather fly in the face of the environmental ethos of Freecycle, I believe!) Sometimes, if I don't recognise the name, I'll go into messages and type in their user name so I can see all their posts. I prefer to give to active Freecyclers who have themselves posted offers.
Then it can be a simple matter of pick-a-number!
As far as those re-selling goes, the primary aim of Freecycle is to keep items out of landfill. I always prefer my items to go to folk who'll use them, so will offer to them in preference to those who intend to Ebay / car-boot the items. (I do ask btw and our site says people must declare their intentions if re-selling- obviously, you have to learn to trust!) Failing that, if folk are re-selling, at least it's being re-used.
I always try and send an individual mail to all responders tho, even if it means using copy & paste.
Oh, and one final tip, don't delete those emails until the item's been safely collected!

Morty_007

madmam wrote: »

WHAT ARE YOU JOKING?

He isn't joking, it isn't true in all groups but he is conviced it is that way on the couple of groups he frequents (or rather doesn't frequent.) I'm sure there is another site that Dobbiesloan normally touts when freecycle comes up.

darcyvuqua

sorry off subject but was just checking this thread out and mortys_007 can i say i love your signature lol made me chuckle

on a serious note how do you join and view items i cant seem to do it just brings me to yahoo!! i think im thick

grannybiker

Hi Darcyvuqua, (would love to get that on a triple word score in Scrabble!)
In order to view posts, you need to join the group and to do this you need to get a Yahoo ID. However, this is quick and free to set up. You shouldn't get loads of spam either if you're worried about that.
Just remember to set your preferences to Daily Digest unless you want every post sent to you separately!
Once you join, you'll be on moderation at first, usually until you've posted an offer using the correct format. I.E. "Offer-item-location." Make sure you read the welcome notes and etiquette guides too. All groups are broadly similar, but have different rules on number of "Wants" allowed each month, whether re-homing of animals is allowed etc.
Hope that helps.

darcyvuqua

thanks grannybiker i will join tomorrow then i want a old bath tub any condition in aid of a charity event im trying to organise so will give freecycle a go and with the xmas clear out just around the corner im sure i could offer quite a bit!!

bigmuffins

Hi!
It is not a hard and fast rule to post in 1 group - is a guideline really and some people ignore it (or forget or are in too much of a hurry to get rid!) but I think is a good idea as it saves people trekking all over. Sometimes wonder though at people who are desperate to be shot of something quickly and it has been sitting around for god knows how long in their home already! :rolleyes:
Sometimes people are moving so can understand their deadline though.

I find that it is best to log onto my local freecycle group and just read the messages rather than getting emails - even as a daily digest! I have set my preferences to special messages only so get any from mods but nothing else.
Whenever I am online, I have a window with freecycle in so can dip in and out as I have time! Sometimes I see stuff I would like but I also offer stuff to people posting a want if is something that is just gathering dust here.
I don't always offer to first person - I wait a day at least. I also ask people how far away they are so I can try to give it to someone who is close. Does not always work but those are my general guidelines. Of course, a polite request will always get a response. I agree with your views & comments grannybiker & lbt!

I have given a lot of things - including plants from garden/allotment and been very lucky to get some extremely useful items for myself and family/friends.
Have also found that sometimes freecycle replies have ended up in my spam folder so I am never too bothered if someone doesn't respond to my emails as I think they may have had the same problem and not checked the spam folder. Life is too short to stress about these things!

Of course the mods don't get first pick! :rotfl:That is ridiculous - is up to you who you give to - don't have to give to first to reply at all! Also if you are interested in something and find it is not really what you were looking for, is fine to say thank you but no thanks! I would not be offended if someone declined something politely - it is difficult to describe things in words sometimes and not everyone can provide pictures. I always say if I can't collect straightaway for some reason or if I am delayed, that I understand if they want to offer to someone else rather than wait on me. Have had car breakdowns and illness in family that have led to problems with collection of items and always try to phone to let them know of any delays rather than just not turn up.
The mods do a fantastic job :T:T:T and I for one appreciate their efforts!

I have met a lot of very nice people through freecycle and hope to meet many more!
Happy freecycling!