Should i give my item away on freecycle

saterkey

Say that you are unable to deliver after all, if she wants it she can collect at a certain time, put it outside the door with a note and tell her to take without knocking as youll be out the back gardening or whatever. Stop thinking about it, youve got the space back, shes got something she needs the planet benefits and everyones happy.

Think too much and it takes the enjoyment of freecycle away. I have had loads of stuff off freecycle, but have almost doubled that in stuff that I have given away.

Personally I wouldnt deliver anything now, twice ive done a old b&wtv to a elderly colour blind person and a table and chairs to a single mum with no transport, the latter we desperately wanted the space at the time so it worked in our favour.

I always try to give some magazines or books in return and always send a follow up email of thanks.

j

trukdiver

Bronnie wrote: »

...But you are helping the needy via the charity

True, but I still think a lot of things that people give to charity shops would be better freecycled.

Most of the unsellable clothes can be recycled but almost everything else was binned if it couldn't be sold. I suggested to the manager that we should freecycle the unsaleable stuff but I was told that was out of the question! The management weren't interested in keeping things out of landfill other than reducing the charges for refuse collection.

jaibaby

easy wrote: »

I hate the "I'd rather it went to someone needy" apporoach - it's sooo 'Lady Bountiful' - Look at me, I'm helping the POOR.

Absolutely not. I know how hard it is when you need something. I would rather it went to someone who would use it rather than someone on there just there to make a profit off other people's backs. Why is it such a bad thing that I want that??

Amanita_2

jaibaby wrote: »

. Why is it such a bad thing that I want that??

It isn't but if that is your motivation then perhaps Freecycle is not the right place for your unwanted possessions.

Hermia

jaibaby wrote: »

Absolutely not. I know how hard it is when you need something. I would rather it went to someone who would use it rather than someone on there just there to make a profit off other people's backs. Why is it such a bad thing that I want that??

I don't think it is, but I think this attitude has caused problems on freecycle. Any forum where freecycle is discussed seems to have lots of 'how can I make sure my goods go to needy people' posts as well as lots of 'I am sick of people making up sob stories in order to get stuff' posts. I get frustrated that people don't see the link between these two things! If the givers are judging people on how needy they are it's inevitable that people will start to feel they must come up with a heart-rending reason for wanting something. That's why some freecycle groups are starting to sound like the Monty Python Yorkshiremen sketch.

To be honest, I am not sure how you judge neediness. There must be people who wouldn't dream of telling someone all their problems on freecycle so would not come across as needy. There are people who lie on freecycle. There are presumably people who have self-inflicted problems. I find that freecycle can be a pain at the best of times. I don't need to start worrying about trying to categorise people as well!

If you want to give your items to someone who is needy you may be better off contacting local charities.

bigmuffins

It is entirely up to you what you do with your unwanted items.

If you want to help someone, take it to a charity or community scheme that helps those in need.

If you want to get rid of the stuff quickly and not have the hassle/expense of dumping it, put it on freecycle/freegle.

It makes me smile whenever I read these threads, as the freecycle aim it to stop waste and keep useful stuff out of landfill sites: reuse, recycle. Not helping the needy.

The choice is yours as to whether you reply to a wanted or not or who you choose to give your offered item to. No explanations needed. And if you change your mind, again it is up to you. No contracts involved!

Personally, I think if someone is polite and collects without too much fuss, they are welcome to the stuff. If they are going to sell it on, good luck to them.

What gets me cross is when people offer stuff that really should be dumped but they are getting some mug to pick it up from them instead.

I know of someone who needed single beds but couldn't afford to buy new ones so looked on freecycle. Was offered a pair by someone in a posh area but no pictures available. They didn't have transport so paid man with van to collect. Didn't go with them as had young children and when beds arrived, they smelt so bad that they couldn't have them in the house :eek: and had to pay the man again to take the to tip! :mad:

dizziblonde

I've got certain things I won't respond to in requests - I think most people have (I'm not listing mine for the subsequent flame-fest). I also won't deliver and I won't call phone numbers, and I won't give to the serial ridiculous wanted crew (the wanting playstations, flat screen TVs, caravans etc brigade who post wanted after wanted after wanted).

Think most people have some criteria for replies they respond to - got to screen somehow.

virgil_tracy

what's Freecycle ?

porto_bello

virgil_tracy wrote: »

what's Freecycle ?

Put the word 'Freecycle' into Google and the answer will appear.

... Please don't write "what's Google?"

nazziek

I am very new to freecycle-i only heard about it a few days ago so dont hav much experience with it.

I think the people who are being choosy about who their stuff goes to are missing the point.

The purpose of freecycle is not to make u feel good about urself-its about keeping usable items out of landfill. thats it. nothing more.
Since i've found out about freecycle i'm really regreting all the usable things i've thrown away. Would it have mattered that the person who might have bought them from me would have been able to afford new? no. they would hav stayed out of landfill. And would it have mattered if they had sold them on at a carboot sale? no, they would hav still stayed out of landfill. And who knows, whoever might hav bought them at carboot might not hav been able to afford new and got a good deal.

If ur looking for the warm fuzzy feeling that comes from helping those in need i dont think freecycle is the place for u because u hav to give without wanting anything in return other than knowing that ur doing ur bit for the planet.

Maybe u should donate to furniture aid instead where people on benefits etc get a discount on the furniture or people who cant afford it get it for free-but keep in mind the general public can also purchase it (just without getting a discount).