Freecycle Etiquette

serious_saver

Jolaaled wrote: »

I took a jar of home-made chutney when i went to collect a table that was advertised on my freecycle. I was so grateful for the table and I immediately presented the 'giver' with my lovely chutney..."just to say thanks".

But the freecycler looked at me with blatant astonishment!!! ... as if I was a crazy person!!..it's made me a bit nervous about giving a 'thank you gift' in future!

I would love it if someone brought me a jar of home made chutney! Can you move to my area please?!

Austin_Allegro

All these stories convince me that Ebay is the better way to go. You can post pics so that people know what they're getting before they come, and there's a feedback system so troublemakers are easier to spot. You can also donate your takings to charity through the system.

I used it to sell a lot of old electrical items that charity shops wouldn't take (although some charities will but they are few and far between), for example I sold a spin dryer for £6 (new they cost about £90) so it was really only a token amount for the buyer.

I think Freecycle is a nice idea in principle but a lot of the stuff people collect probably ends up being sold on Ebay anyway!

Nicoll

I gave away my hover mower recently, the guy was lovely who came and collected it but when he emailed me with when he was coming around he said he'd bring me a jar of home-pickled onions which I thought was sweet. When he turned up he said he hadn't bought them with him as wasn't sure how strong I liked my onions but said he was popping back our way the next day so would drop them off then but he never did

This rather disappointed me not because I was bothered about getting something back for my mower, I just wanted it out of my way but why say all that and then not bother?

Another lady bought me a couple of homegrown courgettes, can't remember now what I gave her but I thought that was a lovely gesture, this is the only time someone has given me something back.

Normally I'm just glad to get stuff out the way but appreciate a bit of politeness, rude people just annoy me full stop.

JimmyTheWig

For me I'd choose the person who could collect at the most convenient time (normally the soonest) as I feel they're doing me a favour (by getting rid of it) as much as I;m doing them a favour (by letting them have it).
But in the event of a tie based on the above I'd go by politeness and legitimacy of reason why they want it (don't want to offend, but have never known a community where so many people have disabled relatives who need stuff!).

orangesmartie

girlracer wrote: »

Maybe im wrong but i sometimes get the impression people just ask for other peoples things so they can sell them on and make a profit, i was going to give some things away but thought no, because i didnt want people making money of my things

Thats why I don't post on our local freecycle. It seems to be the same people posting wants and for things i think no one in their right mind would give away (as mentioned above, working cars, TVs etc).

I have taken two items from freecycle in the last 4 years - 2 canvas wardrobes and an open pack of coloured craft paper. I always send polite (i think) emails.

But i just feel anything of value that I post would be taken for sale. I respond to wanteds if its something I have and was getting rid of.

ladylouise62

The problem now with Freecycle/Freegle is that it although it was originally to pass on stuff that would be difficult to sell (a plank of wood, a box of spare tiles), thus stopping it from going to landfill, it's now filled with stuff that is quite saleable hence the plethora of greedy people. It would be fine if the stuff went to people who needed it, but I suspect that a major proportion of it is being sold on. The group has changed completely from what it was just 2 or 3 years ago, and I find it quite depressing to read.
I know - grumpy old woman

mlz1413

I offered 2 pairs of curtains recently said that they needed collecting Sat or Sun and that I would allow 24 hours before offering (this was a Thurs)

Had about 6 replies and so decided to split curtains to 2 different people to be fair. one response had said they would not be there at the weekend but were interested in ...., so I replied they could collect in week if they let me know by return. The email back said they were away for 6 weeks was it possible to collect in September?
I said No as I had other requests and they had to cheek to re-request if they could collect curtains last week as they were back a week early!

I also ignore all text speak and impolite responses.

Manners do indeed cost nothing.

ChocClare

I've seen it all now - on last night's either poole or bournemouth freecycle - wanted ps3 (ps3!!!!!) for the kids as their ps2 has blown up and they need something to get them through the holidays.

I bet you're all overcome with compassion, aren't you?

nykied

I have got quite a bit of stuff from my local Freegle as we moved into an unfirnished house last August. I've not yet offered anything, although a TV and 8 white plastic garden chairs are on the list to put on.

I'm always very polite when I ask for something but our Freegle rejects any 'thank you' messages you send to it.

I feel really bad about a composter I'm picking up on Sunday, because I didn't see the original email offering it to me, then when I rang there was no answer, then the day they suggested I couldn't do. I arranged to pick it up on Saturday and then remembered that my boyfriend's at a football tournament all day, so had to ring and ask could I collect Sunday instead. I felt ashamed! They've been really nice about it and I've never said I'd collect and then not turned up.

Nicoll

ladylouise62 wrote: »

The problem now with Freecycle/Freegle is that it although it was originally to pass on stuff that would be difficult to sell (a plank of wood, a box of spare tiles), thus stopping it from going to landfill, it's now filled with stuff that is quite saleable hence the plethora of greedy people. It would be fine if the stuff went to people who needed it, but I suspect that a major proportion of it is being sold on. The group has changed completely from what it was just 2 or 3 years ago, and I find it quite depressing to read.
I know - grumpy old woman

At the risk of sounding depressive, it seems that anything good gets ruined by greedy, no-good people. Take the recent rows over benefit cheats.....benefits for those who need them is such a fantastic idea but has been so ruined by greedy lazy dishonest people that the whole system is tarred. I've read posts on here by people who need benefits but are being made to feel like scroungers because of these others.

I loved freecycle when I first found it a couple of years ago, what a fantastic simple idea to give away things you don't need to people who do but it's slowly being ruined by the unscrupulous ones. There is a section of the human race that will always do this.

That's my depressive rant...sorry