Freecycle Etiquette

lauren_1

I am nearly giving up on freecycle, there have been a few hoax offers or replies to a wanted, when people come to collect its either the wrong house or have been greeted by teenagers in hysterics.

girlracer

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

carolbee

I joined the group in the area I have just moved into, and left within a week after 3 no shows and serial emails from one or two people who seemed to need what I was giving. All my garden stuff now gone to a local community allotment/garden.

Strange the amount of car breakdowns too from the no-showers, the streets of Kent near me must be littered with broken down cars, maybe they post wanted ads for cars...........

Agree that the polite emails will always be considered over the 'I'll have it' ones

craft-a-holic

I was very uncomfortable with the antics of folk on our freecycle group, so much so that I left.
I was amazed at some of the things people wanted, ie "new-ish washing machine" and the tone of some emails, as others have said, left a lot to be desired.
But the final straw was when I helped a couple out to their car with some stuff only to find the car stuffed to the gunnels with items they had obviously been out collecting. Made me think they were definitely selling it on which is not in the spirit that the scheme was set up.
Now I offer items to family, friends or neighbours or take items to my local charity shops rather than advertise them to others.

Tigsteroonie

I will hold my hand up to admitting that I "weed" through the email responses I receive to eliminate any written in text speak, any without common courtesy, and any that look like they respond to everything (auto-respond). I have also been known to search to see if the requester has ever offered anything.

When I write responses myself, I generally try and make them humorous so that they stand out - for example, I offered a "new home" to a breadmaker so that it didn't get "sent to a rescue centre", and said that it would be "very happy living alongside my kettle and toaster" - it worked

ChocClare

Since we've moved out to the sticks we no longer offer things on freecycle because it would be just too far for people to come and I don't want them coming to my work to collect. However, I do respond to "wanted" ads. You make me worried that you'll be scanning me next time I say please may I have?? and find that I haven't offered anything for years!

I was EXTREMELY cheeky last week: a lady had posted a wanted ad for a rabbit hutch to house her chicks until they were big enough to go into the hen house. I emailed her, apologizing that I didn't have a rabbit hutch to offer (and everyone seems to want rabbit hutches round our way), and saying, very cheeky, but if she was offered more than one, would she mind forwarding the response on to me, as I wanted one too for my chicks. The really AWFUL thing is that she gave up waiting and her husband knocked her something up, as no-one offered her anything - and then she got an offer when it was too late, and she was sweet enough to send it on to me. I felt very guilty! But I have a guinea-pig hutch for my bantam chicks (hurrah) and the reason I didn't have a rabbit hutch is because i have given away TWO on freecycle, thinking I'd never need one again... :mad:

jexygirl

lol, I am so glad you started this thread Scottishflower!

Freecycle in this area is erm.. interesting to say the least! I have never offered anything, however I have never taken anything either (apart from the 2 hens that were going to Chicken heaven if someone didn't take them, as they were pecking eggs, or laying shell less ones and so they were getting new ones as they wanted eggs, and as anyone who has had hens knows, thats a owner fault mostly as they are not getting the right nutrients = they are perfectly fine girls with good eggs now!- Im expecting a post soon with another 4 hens that arent laying or laying soft eggs to be posted soon )

I have however given several items away when people post a wanted - which, I have to say the wanteds SERIOUSLY outweigh the offereds... The first Item was a canoe paddle for a beginner, which I even delivered and to be fair, was thanked for. The second was an old PC. I answered the wanted ad saying that i had an old one, but it was our old office one, and so needed to be formatted, and would do it asap. Received several "is it done yet?" emails, and when I did get time, no thank you was ever posted!

The wanteds are a daily source of amusement... for all! In the last week...
"wanted small black sofa - preferably leather"
"wanted TV, minimum 32" preferably flat screen, but anything considered" (thats good of you to consider anything else!)
"wanted, adult tandem - can collect"
"wanted, glass shower door, must have chrome surround"


There are some really nice ones, that I do try and give things too if I have them, I would rather someone else got the use, but I dont see things that are laying around as something anyone would want, till I see the wanted lol!

I am sure there are people that just troll it and take items. I once saw offered a full marble original fireplace, within 20 mins of the offered it was taken... I would have killed for it, however the sceptical side of me wonders where it ended up!
I joined it after reading about it on these forums, and actually, am really disillusioned! I probably wont ever post an "offered" after reading all that you guys say!

Jex

katholicos

I've so far only given away some pepper plants and cabbage plants and have not requested anything. I do think that some of the 'serial freecycle/freegle requesters' make themselves rather obvious though... at times, at least in my experience. It is my preference to give to charities instead as i like to let someone else benefit from my unwanted items while at the same time making money for the charity to do some good for those less fortunate than myself. What i did give away via freegle was gratefully recieved though, i even gave them all extra plants i had grown because the people were all so nice and all thanked me...one guy i dropped some veggie plants off to asked me if i would like any lettuce or any other veg in return. How nice is that?

sazzy6

A few people have got me worried. I always include a phone number so the person can call me if they would like to offer it. I do this to make the process easier. However it looks like this is seen as bad manors by some. I'll think before including it again.

I always ask for phone numbers so I call and arrange collection as quick as possible to get the items to their new homes (and normally from under my feet)

I do however always mind my P's and Q's and take them a jar of home made jam.

Jolaaled

sazzy6 wrote: »

I do however always mind my P's and Q's and take them a jar of home made jam.

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!