Freecycle (Merged Thread)

gromituk

Mirtos wrote:

Most of them I kept for myself, but some where duplicates, or not of interest to me so I have listed them on amazon. I don't think this is an abuse of the freecycling way

I agree, but that's not what I was talking about, which was people who use Freecycle purely to make money.

starlite_2

It is true a lot of people do abuse freecycle.
I always leave it a while after offering something and usually can tell from the emails I get who is most deserving.
There are a few people who will respond to every ad I post and also post wanted ads daily for things like mobile phones, computers , etc and I know to ignore these.
I don't really have a problem with people selling my things on, but would only give away to such a person as a last resort.
One example is a brand new baby changing station i gave away, 80% of the emails just said 'i am interested please call' which I ignored, some were from people I have seen basically scouring freecycle for anything and everything, and two were nice, fairly long emails that seemed genuine,.
In the end one was too far away, but the lady who did collect it was lovely, she was 8 months pregnant with her first and stayed for lunch and chatted to me about labour, birth and beyond, and we are still in touch.

Penelope_Penguin

Urgent Help Needed!

I made my first post 1 hour ago. I now have 5 people who want it. :j This should be good news, but:

1. who do I choose?

2. do I let down the others now, or keep them waiting?

3. what if my first freecycler doesn't show? :mad:

Am all in a panic!

All suggestions gratefully received.

Penny. x

arkonite_babe

The way I work is by who responded first. Check the time on the email to see. If you don't want to go that way, just pick who you like the sound of

HTH

gromituk

arkonite_babe wrote:

The way I work is by who responded first.

I'd strongly advise against that. It means that those who are sitting at their PCs all day are at an unfair advantage, annoying other people who are never in with a chance. It also means that people who don't really want things will rush in to claim them and then mess the givers around by not bothering to turn up when they change their minds.

starlite_2

starlite wrote:

It is true a lot of people do abuse freecycle.
I always leave it a while after offering something and usually can tell from the emails I get who is most deserving.
There are a few people who will respond to every ad I post and also post wanted ads daily for things like mobile phones, computers , etc and I know to ignore these.
I don't really have a problem with people selling my things on, but would only give away to such a person as a last resort.
One example is a brand new baby changing station i gave away, 80% of the emails just said 'i am interested please call' which I ignored, some were from people I have seen basically scouring freecycle for anything and everything, and two were nice, fairly long emails that seemed genuine,.
In the end one was too far away, but the lady who did collect it was lovely, she was 8 months pregnant with her first and stayed for lunch and chatted to me about labour, birth and beyond, and we are still in touch.

sorry to quote myself but my earlier post sums up what I think

gromituk

Well you have to for people who post without reading first

Penelope_Penguin

gromituk wrote:

Well you have to for people who post without reading first

Oooerr, was that meant for me?

I've been following this thread since I thought about registering for Freecycle, and have (I believe) read each post.

You comments have been helpful, thank you. :T :T :T

Penny. x

gromituk

Sorry, I was a bit harsh - it just looked like the posting just before yours answered at least some of your questions!

I do find that the hardest thing is deciding to whom to give a popular item. It's made easier, though, by it generally being accepted that you don't have to reply to those who haven't struck lucky.

arkonite_babe

gromituk wrote:

I'd strongly advise against that. It means that those who are sitting at their PCs all day are at an unfair advantage, annoying other people who are never in with a chance. It also means that people who don't really want things will rush in to claim them and then mess the givers around by not bothering to turn up when they change their minds.

Thanks for that, however I have used this on several occassions and have NEVER been let down. I will always exchange a few emails BEFORE arranging any kind of collection and I NEVER post a taken notice until the goods have actually been collected..


Hope that clarifies my way of doing things