Freecycle (Merged Thread)

greenbee

I offer, but as I'm decluttering, don't tend to post wanteds or respond to offers.

Unless I need something big out of the way by a deadline (which I put on the post - e.g. must be able to collect before 5pm Thursday), I wait for 24 hours before selecting the recipient as some people don't have access to the site all day.

In general, I offer to the coherent, polite responses. It's nice to have some context (e.g. just moved house), but I don't want the details - a recent request explained that something was needed because 'my b*tch of an ex-girlfriend has taken all my stuff and left me with nothing'... which was more than I needed to know!

I realise the ethos of freecycle is to keep stuff out of landfill, and it does save me having to think of another way of getting rid of all sorts of odds and ends, but I do get fed up with people asking if I'll deliver. I don't mind if for a small item they say 'I work in so and so, could we meet there' as they may assume I work locally. Given that it saves me giving out my address, it's not a bad idea. It also helps to arrange a definite time to collect - I usually give a half hour slot, and I'm not flexible as I've been mucked around. If someone says they'll collect it at a certain time, doesn't turn up and then calls later, it's too late - have the courtesy to turn up at the time you have arranged, or if there is a genuine reason that you can't, then let them know.

At the end of the day, I think good manners will serve you well. Like other posters here, despite the annoyances, I've met some nice people (and I'm always surprised how far people will travel for stuff I consider to be junk!) Good luck with your freecycle adventure.

SailorSam

shandypants5 wrote: »

Couldnt agree more Ormus, the main Idea (did you see what i did there?) is to get rid of your unwanteds without landfill.
If someone else can make a fast buck then thats ok with me.

But the Wanted ads are getting silly on my freecycle.

Wanted laptop
Wanted large TV
wanted white goods
Wanted PS3 and games

I am thinking of placing a wanted ad myself.

Wanted, Cash, notes or coins, i really dont mind.

One of the wanted items that was on our freecycle lately was from a woman, she asked......

Does anyone have a partner they have finished with ?
She wanted him to be a millionaire with his own hair and teeth, and a weak heart.

nuttywoman

I`ve given stuff away on freecycle for a while now but am getting fed up with people who just reply with " when can i come & pick it up?" and other things etc, no please or thank you .
I just delete those straight away, but this last couple of days i`ve been waiting for someone to ring to arrange pick up of an item!
Thats another thing thats putting me off!

Miss_Behaving

I hardly ever use Freecycle anymore as there are about 25% more want ads than there are offers. In my area they ask for boats, cars (with long MOTs and tax!), laptops, playstations, iPods - it's just got silly and the moderator doesn't stop them. Freecycle was a lovely idea in its infancy in the UK but unfortuantely there are too many out there who are abusing the system.

womble374

I am a keen freecycler, I both donate and receive. I aree all the wanted adds are a pain, but sometimes it does prompt me to get something out which has gathered dust for ages! I only ever give though to those who reply respectfully and I make sure I do the same when I reply.

We have cleared our children's outgrown clothes this way, and re-filled from others, not to mention the toys, and items needed for a school play/event etc. My best ever bargain was a car! Ok a few things wrong with it, but now a nice little run around for my son, without freecycle it would have took awhile longer, saving for the insurance was enough! When collecting from someone we always take a small gift, even if it is just a bar of chocolate, and after always send a thank you email.

So please don't right freecycle off, just be selective on who you offer to.

arkonite_babe

We have a thread similar to this already, I'll add your query to it so all the replies are together. Posts are listed in date order so you'll need to read from the beginning to catch up

Edinburghlass_2

Haven't used Freecycle for ages but put up a couple of offers, one reply came in immediately saying "can you deliver to (town 20 miles away), I'm very busy playing the xbox360. I don't have time to collect but I'd really like this :eek:

He did at least say thanks very much in advance

judderman62

cazbie16 wrote: »

I have offered goods on Freecycle and have always given the items to the person who responds first as I think that is the fairest thing to do. I have been lucky that the people I've dealt with have been polite and haven't messed me around. So my main advice would be to get in there quick and to check the group messages regularly especially when it's coming up to the weekend and bank holidays as most people have clearouts then.

Good luck with you're Freecycling and I hope you get the things you need.

No offence intended but that;s about the most bizarre thing I have read in this thread how is that fair ? As a post above mentions - many people will be at work and unable to check for messages till they get home and there can be other reasons why folk can't be 1st to reply. If I don't have a deadline because I want them gone asap - I usually wait minimum 24/48 hours and have on occasion waited 5-7 days - gives everyone a chance. :eek:

judderman62

greenbee wrote: »

I offer, but as I'm decluttering, don't tend to post wanteds or respond to offers.

Unless I need something big out of the way by a deadline (which I put on the post - e.g. must be able to collect before 5pm Thursday), I wait for 24 hours before selecting the recipient as some people don't have access to the site all day.

In general, I offer to the coherent, polite responses. It's nice to have some context (e.g. just moved house), but I don't want the details - a recent request explained that something was needed because 'my b*tch of an ex-girlfriend has taken all my stuff and left me with nothing'... which was more than I needed to know!

I realise the ethos of freecycle is to keep stuff out of landfill, and it does save me having to think of another way of getting rid of all sorts of odds and ends, but I do get fed up with people asking if I'll deliver. I don't mind if for a small item they say 'I work in so and so, could we meet there' as they may assume I work locally. Given that it saves me giving out my address, it's not a bad idea. It also helps to arrange a definite time to collect - I usually give a half hour slot, and I'm not flexible as I've been mucked around. If someone says they'll collect it at a certain time, doesn't turn up and then calls later, it's too late - have the courtesy to turn up at the time you have arranged, or if there is a genuine reason that you can't, then let them know.

At the end of the day, I think good manners will serve you well. Like other posters here, despite the annoyances, I've met some nice people (and I'm always surprised how far people will travel for stuff I consider to be junk!) Good luck with your freecycle adventure.

I agree with everything you have said here :beer::beer::T

judderman62

nuttywoman wrote: »

I`ve given stuff away on freecycle for a while now but am getting fed up with people who just reply with " when can i come & pick it up?" and other things etc, no please or thank you .
I just delete those straight away, but this last couple of days i`ve been waiting for someone to ring to arrange pick up of an item!
Thats another thing thats putting me off!

yep I hit delete straight away too . I 'd rather hang on to something and re-offer if people can't be civilised.