Freecle / freecycle and balloons on sticks

KxMx

I don't know about anyone else, but the phrase "thanks in advance" really gets my back up.
It's almost like they're saying "I know I will get what I want". !

Amanita_2

judderman62 wrote: »

why do the mods allow posts like this ? why do they not remove people like this ?

I'm sorry but I feel the mods have a lot to answer for in the current state of the movement .... sits back with bag of popcorn ready for the backlash :cool:

OK as a list owner I'll bite. Freecycle lists are not 100% moderated - freecycle strongly discourages it.

If an unmoderated member posts a shopping list like that then there is NOTHING the mods can do to stop it going out. Absolutely nothing. However if that happens on the list I run then the offending member is put back on permanent moderation so they don't get to do it again.

Moderation is necessarily reactive not proactive although we do have all new members on moderation until we are satisifed that they understand how the list works and can post in accordance with the rules.

If you think your list is not being moderated sufficiently then offer your services. Being a list owner/moderator is a pretty thankless task at times. Be prepared for abusive emails, complaints about other members, complaints about freecycle policy etc etc. Many mods don't last long and a committed volunteer is like gold dust.

Yes we are all unpaid volunteers by the way. - giving up our free time to provide a service for the local community.

chickywiggle

amanita - as you will see if you read the thread people would offer to moderate if they weren't treated like kids with no brain cells when they offer (as many of us have).

Amanita_2

chickywiggle wrote: »

amanita - as you will see if you read the thread people would offer to moderate if they weren't treated like kids with no brain cells when they offer (as many of us have).

I do read the thread and if you look yourself will see I have been a regular if infrequent contributor.

Moderators have to be squeaky clean and treat the list users with respect. The attitude displayed to many requests posted on this thread ridicules people who may be less educated and economically less advantaged.

Yes there are plenty of scammers out there but they are generally easy to spot. Just because someone asks for an item certainly doesn't mean they get it and yes just maybe the only way a parent might be able to get a DS for their child is via freecycle.

chickywiggle

or they could get a job and stop having children they can't pay for? like the population of people out there they expect to fund these children's clothes/ toys etc ..... no child NEEDS a DS/ PS2 etc it is a luxury item!!! it is one thing asking ONCE (I do - if I need something I always ask but if no one comes forward I buy it) it is another when they post the same request week after week after week

sorry you take it all so seriously!!

Taadaa

I have recently joined a group in a nearby Kent area, one that is clearly more affluent than ours. It has hundreds of messages, and even more members, every week. And a big notice saying 'dno not request things you don't need like white goods' - errr well someone might actually need a fridge...but it's okay to request a playstation or a guitar :rotfl:Someone was giving away a set of external upvc french doors the other day :eek:.

I am shocked that someone would give something like that away and not e bay it. I see freegle and the like as a way of giving things away to people that are in need and otherwise might not be able to afford it, things that are still useable but too good to take to the dump. So not only are some asking for things they clearly don't need, but some people also see it as a way of getting rid of things they are too lazy to do anything else with :rotfl:

mttylad

judderman62 wrote: »

why do the mods allow posts like this ? why do they not remove people like this ?

I'm sorry but I feel the mods have a lot to answer for in the current state of the movement .... sits back with bag of popcorn ready for the backlash :cool:

I too will bite.

Freecycle mods are not simply strongly encouraged to have the group not 100% moderated, its a "YOU MUST NOT" 100% moderate the group, especially if it is hosted by freecycle.org. On that platform the moderators/group owenrs are permitted very little authority and must do it the TFN way or will be removed with no thanks.

See here for what the mods are told.

TFN are very strict in my experience, you only really need to make a simple post on a TFN group to become umoderated and post a long list like that.

chickywiggle

am pretty sure one of my 2 has 90% if not 100% moderated. I have been with both groups the same time (must be over a year).... posted same things in both....... yet still on moderation for 1.

funnily enough you rarly get 1 post at a time from that one it is a whole load in one go.

KxMx

Offering 3 things later so will let you know how I get on! Best silly email gets a prize lol.

EDIT: Didn't expect it so soon! One item got a "do you still have this" message, from the same person I think failed to turn up for it last time.

For the second item I was asked how big and would it fit on a plane in a bag. B-zarre. Included model number in post so why couldn't they just google it!!

Watch this space...

Frogletina

I know this must have been asked before, but why have any 'wanted' posts at all?

Surely people can put things on that they want to get rid of and then they can respond to whoever they want.

I mean, if you have got a large flatscreen TV/latest mobile phone/ps3/car to get rid of you will put it on. Or do people see a wanted add for these and think 'oh yes', forgot I had one of these knocking around that I don't want!