When you get something from freecycle......

Edinburghlass_2

I got some lovely rhubarb once from a lady for a pc for her granddaughter and when I found a printer and some clothes that would do her she brought some shortbread both gestures were lovely and appreciated.

BernadetteN

I gave quite a considerable amount of things away before moving house this Summer. I got thanks from just about everyone and a few small gifts. When I had many people asking for the same things, I ignored everyone who didn't even say please or people who constantly hassle or had previously failed to collect things and gave several items to people who had previously been very genuine in their thanks when they had taken items previously. I haven't needed to "accept" much from Freecycle, but got given a free Sky Digibox and sent the previous owner a thankyou card once we got it working in our new home in Brussels because it made quite a difference to our kids that they could watch Cbeebies from afar.

Freecycle is just brilliant, I wish they had it here.

northern_star

In my experience, Freecycle is a mixed bag but mostly positive (there are other threads dedicated to Freecycle if you want to search). We have given lots of stuff and received a few things too. When we’ve collected something, we always turn up on time, as arranged and say ‘thank you’ and follow this the next day with an ‘thanks again’ ecard. When we’ve given, it’s appreciated if the person receiving is polite and offers thanks. One thing we’ve learned (been using freecycle a while now) - if you have lots of people asking for something you’re offering and can’t decide who to offer it to, take a look on your Freeycle group page at their posting history (just put their email into the ‘search’ bar). This way you'll see whether they place offers themselves or mostly ‘wanted’ ads. It helps to get a ‘feel’ for the genuine users.

HTH.

jellyhead

Our freecycle recently asked that instead of sending your thank you message to the group you send it to the individual. This probably varies though. Of course if the giver hasn't posted to say that the item has been talken, then you could do so and include your thanks.

Many of the people on my freecycle could actually afford to buy things new, but they are keen to reuse and recycle, so it's not really 'charity'.

I've only taken one thing and probably would have felt a bit cheeky, but she wanted something I'd offered so it was a swap I wouldn't offer payment, and nobody has offered me anything - freecycle doesn't work like that and their welcome email might mention it.

I've given lots of the children's toys away, people seem to prefer to reuse, it's a smug thing :rotfl:

Agutka

JoolzS wrote: »

I do think that most people don't really know how to react to freecycle - they love the idea of free stuff, or getting rid of stuff, but I have noticed that most people (myself included) are a little uncomfortable about the whole thing. I guess it's the giving/receiving charity stigma. That needs to disappear. I think of people who take stuff I have offered as doing me a favour.

Yes, but how polite/thankful is the person who thinks they're doing YOU a favour? It would be nice for people to be comfortable with the whole idea, but it can't go the other way. I've given away things that weren't in my way, that were so fab that I thought someone might appreciate them. In those cases it would break my heart if I didn't hear a thank you.

Pooky23

I've given away furniture on Freecycle and I chose to give it to a young couple setting up their first home. They were very grateful and I was pleased it was going to a good home. I've never taken anything on Freecycle though but if I did, I would make sure I turned up when I said I would and be very polite and gracious.

bestpud

I've only recieved one thing but have given away quite a bit.

Most people just say thank you on collection but some send an email after as well.

I thanked at the time and sent an email once we were home and dd had tried out the games (they were for her inherited psone).

It's quite nice to get a follow up email, I think, and costs nothing. We had a really nice one after we gave our old washing machine away and one when we gave dd's old pram away too.

Don't offer money as it is against the rules!

My mil gave her freezer away, but through me as she doesn't access the internet and they brought her some meat as a thank you - they were farmers.

She was very pleased but didn't expect anything in return, but they were very happy to have fully working, and large, chest freezer for the cost of their petrol, and wanted to do something.

pulliptears

Wow alisojo, I want you on my freecycle! I've had grunts, people who turn up and when I open the door and they see other things in the hallway ask for those too!

Ive had non collections by the bucketload and rude emails telling me "not to bother listing any more they will have the lot".

I rarely use it now, if I can take things to the charity shop I do that instead. Unfortunately this last few weekends we have been renovating and had a few bulky items that I listed for ease. I was messed around all last weekend by people wanting a big chest of beautiful wicker drawers and someone else who wanted DD's brownie uniform.

The uniform was like new, all modern brownie stuff that I could have got £20 for on ebay. They never turned up so sod it, Im selling them on ebay!

If I get something (which is rare) I cant thank the giver enough and often email them as well with an added thanks.

Mojisola

Paparika wrote: »

It's free and considering you have to go collect they don't expect anything in return.

Just a thank you.

The rule is no money to exchange hands, not petrol money or anything, it's free because it's being recycled to those who cannot afford new, although i believe a lot are on there collecting what they can and sell on.

and there is me needing a sofa as pup dug a big hole in mine *sigh

It's free because it's being recycled - that's it. There's no requirement for the receiver to be poor!

I always wait at least a day after offering something to give those who aren't glued to their computers all the time a chance to ask for it, dump any requests that aren't polite and then pick one at random - names out of a hat. Most people send a personal email as a thanks. I think if people started giving thank you gifts, it could get out of hand. The aim of freecycle is to keep stuff out of landfill - succeeding in doing that is all the thanks folks should need.

silvercar

I made the mistake of giving to the first person that replied to an ad; he was clearly a dealer and valuing the stuff as he loaded it up. I haven't got a problem with people selling stuff on and I know its within the rules, his attitude was very offish.

I've had a couple of emails that say they will take things off my hands if I deliver.

I've also had some really nice people who've sent emails on receipt telling me how they used the things.

Anytime I've asked for stuff, I've been unlucky.