Freecycle and related sites comments

Bronnie

You have to be dispassionate about your Freecycle experiences. Keep in mind the aim "to keep useful stuff out of landfill".

I have had a few negative experiences, but have learned to write them off straight away and forget it. Mostly my experiences have been positive. Don't get too personal it. It's only 'stuff' after all.

TBH most of the stuff I put on Freecycle is worth very little in monetary terms to me, although potentially they will save the recipient some money. However, the saying one man's trash is another man's treasure could not be truer than on Freecycle. My friends are amazed at the stuff people have delightedly taken away! For me it is a very useful alternative to driving to the tip or hiring a skip. Last week someone collected 5 old fence panels, which were falling apart, I had a load of rubble bagged and removed by someone who needed some hardcore, a couple of rubbishy old doors too big to transport to the tip in my car were snapped up by a couple of fellas overheard to say "Get them in the car, quick", as though I might change my mind! The cut-out bit of worktop from my inset sink was taken by a woman who said it was just what she'd been looking for(?!)

If it bothers you, I would take decent stuff to the charity shop.

lil_me

There was an alternative site created, dontdumpthat.org.uk too which is ran on a forum basis in some areas.

flissh

I've just joined my local group after moving in to my new home, so not had much time to judge yet. I was overwhelmed though at how many people have replied to my three 'offers'. I've thought about it and can honestly say I don't mind if the stuff I give gets sold on. Obviously I would like it all o go to someone who needs it but there is no way for me to vet them. As I've only just joined I have no idea who are constant 'takers'. Even if they do sell the things on, they are still keeping it all out of the local tip, which is good.

angela110660

lil_me wrote: »

anguk I know exactly what you mean, you'd be amazed at what gets rejected, but I strongly believe members should self moderate. I always look at what a member is requesting, if they are just greedy people wanting me to furnish their entire home, I won't give them items I offer.

Maya, indeed it doesn't mean they are entitled to receive something because they have offered but it is up to me who I give my items to. Personally I think to take you should offer, but that is my personal opinion. Swapping items is not allowed.

How I choose

No sob stories
No lack of manners
Search (there is a little search box) to see what they have offered or if they just place wanteds

Thanks for that info - cannot recall ever seeing it - do think it can be a confusing site at times when you want to post on it though.

Kavanne

In my mum's local freecycle group you have to have been a member for 6 months and offered several items before you can post wanted's. I think they are a silly idea anyway as that is not what freecycle should be about.

rachbc

i have to say I use freecycle to get rid of this I don' want without it having to go to landfill or be bothered to take it to the charity shop. Giving stuff i don't want doesn't entitle me to get anything back - after all they are doing me a favour taking it away!

I've got a couple of things and have been very grateful. I'm not even bothered if people sell stuff afterwards - i could have done so myself if i could be bothered and again at least the stuff isn't being binned.

[Deleted User]

My wanted request was for an old (but working) kettle as mine is leaking. I thought someone might have one.

Thanks for the replies - I was in a right old grump last night and now I feel ok

Time to bung up a couple more offered - I have some books & DIY stuff to find a new home for!

llh189

I used my local group and offered an antique style white frame bed - I clearly stated that the bed was still insitu and that the collector would have to hlep me dismantle it and help get it down to the road and that I live in a very small cottage and therefore this would be no mean feat, but it did go up so would go down.

The bed was in pristine condition and had cost me over £600.

I accepted the first person who "wanted" it and exchanged details again reiterating that the bed was a little awkward to dismantle etc!

When they turned up it was obvious that I had been dealing with the wife - the husband was rude and quite frankly offensive. Huffying and puffing about moving the bed, complaining about taking it apart, he scuffed my paint work by forcing the bed frame down the stairs without taking my advice about how it went up the stairs after half an hour I quite frankly had had enough of his bad attitude - he was in my home, I am a single women and found him a bit scary and if half the bed wasn't in the back of their van I would have asked them to leave.

I tried to make polite chit chat and asked them if they used the scheme before, I got very curt reply along the lines of the fact that they were poor and had no choice so yes they had obviously used the scheme before, he absolutely inferred that I was posh and would never need to use the scheme and that it wasn't meant for "people like me". Having worked since I was 14, and never been given anything by anyone, everything I have has been paid for by me - he was just rude.

I didn't find the experience a positive one at all - in fact it has put me off using the scheme again - I also had a sofa that I wanted to get rid off, I used ebay in the end - and made some money and had much more positive experience.

Never again for freecycle for me - I really like the idea but you dont' know who you are letting in your home!

Penny-Pincher!!

llh189 wrote: »

Never again for freecycle for me - I really like the idea but you dont' know who you are letting in your home!

OH usually puts whatever we are getting rid of outside on the driveway as I dont want strangers in my home.

PP
xx

emg

Penny-Pincher!! wrote: »

OH usually puts whatever we are getting rid of outside on the driveway as I dont want strangers in my home.

PP
xx

My sister does this, she got fed up of people not picking stuff up when arranged so now she just posts her 'offer' saying that she will be putting something outside the house and if it isnt gone by the next morning she will be taking it to the tip. She does live on quite a busy road so the item always disappears one way or another!