Freecycle (Merged Thread)

zztopgirl

nuttywoman wrote: »

The people posting on our local freecycle now advertise and give it to the first person who replies, so if your at work during the day, hard luck!
I always wait a couple of days to give people chance to see items etc.

Everyone on my group gives out their phone numbers on the postings, so i don't know which is worse! By the time i see the listing, the item is well and truly gone.

soba

zztopgirl wrote: »

Everyone on my group gives out their phone numbers on the postings

That's a bit of a dangerous thing to do, don't you think? All and sundry having access to their telephone numbers? I only give mine out to the chosen recipient, and even then it's a phone that's used solely for freecycle and not the number I'd give to friends and relatives. Just my two pennorth worth....

frugalpam

My local Freecycle doesn't allow phone numbers being posted, for safety reasons.
Like you, I use a SIM card (freebie) in an old handset - use that for freecycle and also any sign-ups.

Pam

zztopgirl

It would be like giving out my phone number on here, who knows what lurks on your local freecycle? I would never give out any numbers, but the owner/mod of this group is quite lax and is happy for every other member to post their number, thankfully we dont have addresses yet but i give it time.:eek:

ScoobieGirl

soba wrote: »

That's a bit of a dangerous thing to do, don't you think? All and sundry having access to their telephone numbers? I only give mine out to the chosen recipient, and even then it's a phone that's used solely for freecycle and not the number I'd give to friends and relatives. Just my two pennorth worth....

I couldn't agree more - I do the same.

Our group recommends not passing on phone numbers, but doesn't delete the phone numbers & addresses:eek: from posts. Madness.

zztopgirl

Omg just received a message asking me to call them to arrange collection of the item. Im happy to give away my unwanted stuff, but not at my own expense thank you very much! Another message asking can they come round and view it, erm, no?

I will start being more strict with my offers, either people want the item and collect it-no ifs buts or maybes, or i'll ring the local charity after sorting a pile of stuff out for them, and they can collect it.

frugalpam

Glad to see my local group is being a lot firmer - no more shopping lists to be posted, a request to disclose if people intend to sell stuff on, etc. It's impossible to stop abuse of freecycle, but it's good to see the Mods making strong efforts in this way :T

zztopgirl - I think you're right to be very firm about your offereds! I put a note in the advert to the effect that I expect people to collect at the agreed time/date or else it will be offered to someone else, and that I don't want items to be sold on. If I want profit to be made on my things, then I'll sell it myself at a car boot or on ebay, or donate to charity shops.

ScoobieGirl

zztopgirl wrote: »

Omg just received a message asking me to call them to arrange collection of the item. Im happy to give away my unwanted stuff, but not at my own expense thank you very much! Another message asking can they come round and view it, erm, no?

:eek: Outrageous and bizzare! I struggle to work out how other peoples minds work sometimes.

stilernin

I have recently discovered Freecycle. Brilliant idea and what a great way to declutter.


Now here's the question.......... Do people post items on behalf of others? I notice that there are a couple of names on our local site who are continually offering items. One person seems to specialise in baby clothes and equipment. She can't have bought all of it for personal use.

I work for a local community project and thought that as I am looking at a computer monitor most of the day I could 'freecycle' items on behalf of our members. Both offering and wanting. I could also keep an eye open for items wanted and request them. There is no hidden agenda here, it just seems a great thing to do for people who are struggling with a budget and don't have access to the internet.

It appears that organisations and hard luck stories are not permitted. Fair enough, but if all of the messages are in line with the ones I have seen, would there be a problem?

Inside information or ideas from experienced freecyclers welcome.

Ken68

Yes Stile...a good system, am well into retirement and de-cluttering like no tomorrow.
When giving stuff away, I like an INSTANT response, collect there and then.
Don't mind if they sell on, but don't mess me about in the
process.
It stands to reason that the owners/moderators have the first pickings, again don't mind that they do a good job.