Freecycle (Merged Thread)

achtunglady

I have used Freecycle myself both receiving items and giving away items too. I have gotten a kneeling chair, brand new bed guard, printer (which i recycled on), router and I have given away a winnie the pooh ride on toy, swimming nappies, swimming ring, scanner, another printer, toy pram and ironing board, playstation dance mat, dvd player and childrens clothes.

The major bugbear is when people say they want the item and don't turn up or contact you, ok we understand that things don't always go to plan, but a phone call or email to tell the person what has happened makes all the difference. Perhaps its peoples mentality that they are getting an item for free that they don't have to have manners and courtesy.

You could try putting in your ad, when they reply to state when they will come and collect, a telephone number and if does not happen then it will be offered to the next person in line.

I got a bit cheeky and asked for something in return for what i was giving away, not money but a lovely spider plant and i got it!!!

squeaky

It's usually a good idea to set up folders in your inbox to keep responses to each offer in. Only bin the folder after your item has been collected.

That way, if you get a no show - you don't need to post the offer again but can simply choose another person from your list.

I also, as a fairly standard thing, post something on the order of this in my first reply to someone wanting to take an item:-

If I haven't heard from you by... (I allow a couple or three days)... I'll assume that you are no longer interested in taking the wotsit and will offer it to the next person on my list.

As it happens I have never yet had a no-show, and only one person has been late and they phoned to say why beforehand and did indeed turn up promptly at the newly arranged time.

speedyjoe

I think it is always a good idea to place in the offered notice words to the effect "item has to go within xxx days or else it will go the dump and sorry I can't deiver it anywhere"

Also if you can, tell the collector that you will leave the item outside your front door at the pre-arranged time and to just pick it up. Saves having to wait around for no shows or unwanted social interactions with, for want of a better word, "oddballs".

speedyjoe

achtunglady wrote:

You could try putting in your ad, when they reply to state when they will come and collect, a telephone number and if does not happen then it will be offered to the next person in line.

You shouldn't put your telephone number in offered posts.

In fact when I have offered stuff I have only ever communicated by email using a "junk" email address. My opinion is the less I have to do with the collector the better. It's a lot easier to block emails from an irrationally dissapointed freecycler than phone calls.

Of the few times I have offered stuff, whilst most of the responses have been very friendly, some of the emails I have received have been a little "demanding" and not very nice. I wouldn't want those people phoning me up.

Ken68

I always ask for exact time they are coming so as to lock up the dog.
And show them the item in the garage, never in the house.
Never had any cheeky beggers yet, always polite, tho think some of them are E-Bay'ers.

Savvy_Sue

I never put my phone no. on the main boards, but I do usually ask for people to tell me where they're coming from, and when they might be able to come. Sometimes if I'm in a rush or think it will be popular I ask them to give a phone no.

But it seems to me that very few people actually do as I ask! They either tell me where they're coming from, or when they could come, but rarely give both bits of info! It's really hard to decide who to give something to if you have nothing to go on!

When I'm responding to an offer, I usually say why I'd like it. It often helps when I say it's for the charity I work for ... and I too have played Swapsies on Freecycle: I'll give you my bathroom bin if you'll give me yours ... :rotfl:

Lakeuk

I think if people are quick to respond requesting items on offer then they should also be expected to respond to corraspondance fromur the offerer within a reasonable time 24-36hrs. I'd state the expectation of a responce by a point, and if you don't get it move onto the next person in the list. Maybe an idea to let at least 5 other responders know you've initially offered it to someone but will will offer to 1 of the 5 if the offer is not followed through, you may get some corraspondance to indicate which of the 5 to offer to next.

Our local freecycle is pretty well moderated, every so often (when some complaints are recieved) the moderator posts a mail reminding everyone what is expected of people who agree to take items.

I've seen as it's got more popular that the amount of wanted ad's are out numbering the offered ones and it's amazing what people request and stipulate that they want.

Regularly you see wants for top of the range laptops with conditions like must have rewritable dvd and long life batteries. Another asked pc media centre plus a wireless device for transmitting movies

best one over xmas was from a guy who said he had a bad xmas and was totally skint and needed a holiday for him and the girlfriend and wanted access to a holiday villa for 1-2weeks to get over it, but he ended it by saying he could sort out the flight tickets. Now to me skint and being able to afford flight tickets don't go hand in hand

helen81_2

Hi,
Sorry for the long title! but.....what is the best way to choose who is going to get your unwanted item? How long do you wait for the responses before choosing someone?

Helen x

tigerlily

there is a current freecycle thread 2 or 3 posts below this one.

lightisfading

As a freecycle group owner/moderator, i've seen all sides of it.

If i offer something, i expect it picked up asap, and if the person doesn't show they get a polite email telling them that i am indeed the mod and can ban them if they do this to anyone else

If i collect something, i appreciate that it's good manners to turn up on time if you're getting something for free! Something too many people don't seem to get.

As for people asking if items can be dropped off in exchange for petrol money.. please have sympathy for those of us who don't have cars. Especially since those who may be most in need of items may also be least likely to have their own transport! At the end of the day, it isn't a huge amount of hassle, and it stops the item going to landfill and if you were going to take the item to the tip its probably no extra hassle at all)

If you have a bad experience with a freecycler please let your moderator(s) know - it can be done in private and just lets the mod know to keep a look out for people abusing the scheme or those who just have no manners!