Freecycle Etiquette

Grumpysally

I usually thank them in person, then again by email, and also send an open email to the group thanking them. I think it's helpfull for people to know that someone is nice to deal with.

Edinburghlass_2

I have a lady picking up something tomorrow morning and she is bringing me some rhubarb, can't wait I love rhubarb :j:j

Wingman

Thanks everyone, collected the item and thanked the man lots, will send an email tomorrow thanking him too, it just feels strange, taking something off someone for nothing, in a nice way though:D

starlite_2

I collected some baby clothes from a lady , and we chatted by email a few times beforehand and she invited me for lunch which was lovely!
I then invited her to ours for lunch and she looked through my massive pile of unwanted clothes and books and took loads away which was great!

we meet quite often for coffee!

One time I was very annoyed was when someone came to collect a baby changing unit from us, and just said 'i'm here for the unit' picked it up and left..no thenks or anything!

pickledtink

jenniferpa wrote:

I agree, a thank you is just fine. The most important thing with freecycle is, if you say you're going to pick something up, PICK IT UP! Some people think that because something is free, it doesn't matter whether they turn up or not, which is very irritating.

Absolutely. Also never mess people around. If you've said you would like it don't um and ahh when you get there cos it's not quite what you thought/ were looking for/ might not match your curtains etc. Some people are unreal and seem to forget they are not paying for the item!
Let people know you really will appreciate and use the item and that it's genuinely going to a good home.
The concept is also that people give freely for that very reason so grabbing something with a view to selling it on is abusing the whole thing.
In any case you are supposed to offer something yourself too so a nice thankyou is all that's required.

Dobie

I agree that thanks & a follow up e mail is all that's required.
If someone brought me something they've made or grown I'd be touched but it wouldn't occur to me to expect anything. I love the idea of giving home made cakes or home grown fruit or veg or flowers. Thanks for the idea, I think this is completely in keeping with the philosophy of Freecycle.

Freecycle is such a wonderful concept isn't it? having the opportunity to help someone out, save the planet, meet local like-minded people AND get rid of stuff you no longer need - it's just perfect. Everyone wins.

skylight

A lady gave me a £5 for some nappies I had left. I have given another lady a bunch of flowers for a lot of stuff for BIL's new flat she had given him - and she refused the flowers!

But tonight, I was expecting 2 lots at 6pm. One guy turned up half hour late, the other hasn't bothered to turn up at all. If I haven't had an email from him tomorrow AM I will offer it to someone else. But its annoying.

Baileys_Babe

AlisonW wrote:

also send an open email to the group thanking them.

Around here this is discouraged as we are quite a large group and this would add to filling peoples inboxes.

tigs78

The first item I gave away, the guy who collected it gave me a small box of chocolates. I wasn't expecting anything and thought it was very sweet of him.

I've given away lots of stuff since then and just had people thanking me profusely. I always choose the nicest, worthiest email rather than the first person who replies 'I'll have it'. That way I always seem to have chosen nice people who turn up when they say they are going to and are polite enough to say thankyou.

I always make a point of thanking them too as quite often they have saved me a trip to the tip or some much needed space in the spare room!

fizzel81

ive given away quite a bit and have receved only what i wanted a thank you! i think from an email as said before you can tell who wants the item for a reason and who is looking for a profit from somewhere say ebay.
i have had a wonderfull fridge and a double buggy through freecycle the lady who offered the fridge had requested a basic single buggy needed for a holiday funnily enough i was just about to list one it seemed fair to swap as such. the doublebuggy i collected and as very luckly we have been bought a new one by a family member i have re offered the one i was given on freecycle, i just love the site and used properly its a fantatsic idea.

just a question though i listed my double on a site 45mins from me a person responded and obviously hadnot read my post fully as she wanted to know where i lived when i emaled her back with my location i got a rude message telling me the site was for local people only! and that i was not local would anybody happen to know if this is correct (to clear anything up i am on this one as i have family who live in this city so we go down regulary had she been a bit nicer i would happily have taken the buggy down at the weekend when we go to see family)