Freecycle Etiquette

Just_Plain_Jane

This was on Portsmouth's Freecycle today:

I would like a mobile phone, preferably a modern one maybe touch screen)
if anyone has one they do not want, it would be going to a good home!
Collect any time. Thanks (:

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

It was the touch screen bit that got me. I know there's truth in the old saying 'if you don't ask, you don't get' but I don't fancy her chances.

There's also a scrap metal dealer who is regularly on the scrounge in the same area. He doesn't want the hassle of disposing of old fridges though, that's a bit too much for him.

serious_saver

Just_Plain_Jane wrote: »

This was on Portsmouth's Freecycle today:

I would like a mobile phone, preferably a modern one maybe touch screen)
if anyone has one they do not want, it would be going to a good home!
Collect any time. Thanks (:

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

It was the touch screen bit that got me. I know there's truth in the old saying 'if you don't ask, you don't get' but I don't fancy her chances.

There's also a scrap metal dealer who is regularly on the scrounge in the same area. He doesn't want the hassle of disposing of old fridges though, that's a bit too much for him.

To be fair touch screen phones aren't new. I had one over 8 years ago - I was still in school!

There was someone on our local freecycle a while ago who kept asking for scrap copper but they seem to have stopped now.

Just_Plain_Jane

serious_saver wrote: »

To be fair touch screen phones aren't new. I had one over 8 years ago - I was still in school!

I've always been too skint to own one.

If that's the case maybe I'll put up a wanted post for one too.

zippychick

I've merged this with the current freecycle etiquette thread so we can keep all the discussion together
thanks
Zip

jexygirl

had to find this thread as I just checked my local one and found this...

WANTED FISHING BOAT
Looking for a boat suitable for sea fishing.
Would prefer larger size, with engine and steerhut.
Any kind considered aslong as it is watertight.
Outer building or general work needed is no problem.
If possible would prefer one with trailer or if it is
afloat then that is fine also.
Many thanks in advance.

A friend of mine just bought a derilict one to do up, it wasnt watertight, had no engine, and no trailer and cost him £1000!
He should have tried freecycle first!!!!

axomoxia

Nicoll wrote: »

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

Freecycle has one purpose, and one purpose only - to keep unwanted items out of landfill. It is not a "charity cycle" or anything else like it. Once you give something away on freecycle, it no longer yours and whoever the receiver is, is free to do with it what they wish. If you can't stand the thought of that, then I guess that freecycle is not for you.

Kate78

Nicoll wrote: »

At the risk of sounding depressive, it seems that anything good gets ruined by greedy, no-good people.

It seems like every post on our Freegle board is "I want, I want..." It makes me feel like unsubscribing to be honest.

nykied

If you get your Freecycle emails sent through, as I do (to my Yahoo address), you can set up a rule that any message with 'wanted' in the title goes to a spam or trash folder.

Martin mentioned it in one of his articles about 6 months ago. It does mean that you could miss the occasional email and some still get through (from the people who either can't spell or have got smart and used 'required' or 'needed' in their titles) but it outweighs having all those wanted emails to wade through.

greent

Just spotted this and thought I'd add my bit

I used to regularly offer on our freecycle groups (both now gone to freegle) I live in between 2 - so use 2. I put in my 'offered' that I do not reply to 'txt spk', nor will I phone people and that polite replies are required - oh, and that the item is not for onward sale. I also ask people to say when they can collect. I then delete any replies that do not do this I personally hate 'I'll take it', 'yes please' and 'is it still available' - without other words with them.

I have offered/ given far more than I have replied to/ received. I also reject replies from people that I know go for anything in order to sell it on (there's a husband and wife team who both reply to messages to increase their chances) I will also give to people that I know offer in preference to those always requesting.

I, too, cannot believe some wanteds - eg: specifying preferred makes of dishwashers - one even asked for a silver one to match her other kitchen appliances. And regularly see requests for game consoles - and sometimes they are even fulfilled!

I used to take people handmade soap as a thank you. I don't bother now - but, then again, can't remember the last time I replied to an offered... let alone 'won' it.

I dislike the fact that I offered some furniture in our local paper for between £5- £10/ item (original cost £100- £500 per item) and only sold one thing - but had dozens of responses to the items on freecycle. I know some people have no money - but not some of the ones that collected the items, judging from the labels they wore/ vehicles they drove - it really was a case of wanting something for nothing.

I was debating about getting a second freezer, just to cope with summer gluts and looked on ebay. I found a local one and looked at the seller - selling it because they'd bought a new one etc etc. Looking at their feedback they had sold 4 dishwashers, 2 washing machines, 3 fridges, 1 freezer and a f/freezer in the last couple of months - all because they'd 'bought a new one' - hmm, I think they may beabusing freegler..... shame

A great concept, vastly abused by some. I now offer weird things on it in the main - and usually after I've tried it on ebay for 99p first (which usually works)

Such is life!

PennyPinchingPrincess

I'm thinking of getting involved with a Freegle group, but I'm not sure I have anything worth offering! I hope you don't mind me bouncing my ideas off you here before I take the plunge?

Do people take things that don't work?

I have a couple of printers, a dvd recorder and a little portable tv, none of which work properly, but could possibly be repaired by someone handy, or used for spare parts. Is this an ok thing to offer? They are currently cluttering up my tiny flat and I really should get rid, the alternative is the tip, it's in the spirit of Freegle to offer them, isn't it?

Also, I would like to ask for a desk chair. I know I have to offer before I can request, that's fine, but does my offer have to be taken before I can put in a request? Would my request be seen as greedy? I'm not bothered what it's like, I just want one with wheels that stay on - unlike the one I have now! Should I just wait for someone to offer one rather than ask?

I'm confuddled