Freecycle and related sites comments

OrkneyStar

I think there is another freecycle thread somewhere (not sure where though!).
I have given and received (more given). We do see a lot of wanted, and that in itself does not annoy me as much as specifics that are clearly not necessary (eg a PINK bicycle or a PINK buggy- if you really need it you won't care what colour iyswim!).

lucy*locket

rachbc wrote: »

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 so myself if I could be bothered and again at least the stuff isn't being binned.

I agree, the whole point of Freecycle is to avoid stuff going to landfill. I don't really care what people do with anything I've offered, if they Ebay it or sell it at a boot sale well good for them, I could do the same just can't be bothered:D. I've never asked for anything, just because I offer stuff doesn't mean it entitles me to ask for stuff, as someone else said it's not a swapshop.
If I get lots of emails about an item I tend to go for one that's polite. I've no time for sob stories. There do seem to be a lot of time-wasters, one woman was interested in a tv I offered, I offered it to her, didn't hear for several days, eventually she replied to my email with a curt message " can you deliver?", no please/thankyou, just bad manners IMO. I contacted someone else who collected same day and was delighted. I only put stuff on that's too large to take to charity shop or not good enough BTW, I'd rather the charity shop benefit from anything that can be sold on such as clothes.

jordylass

I moderate our local freecycle group, and it’s not straightforward. I think Freecycle could possibly be better used on a sort of LETS system, but they don't seem to exist near me.
Personally I like the wanted ads because if someone is asking for a particular item it is likely they really want it and it's not to sell on. I recently had a very decent washing machine that had to go and I waited until someone posted a wanted ad to give it to them. If I had offered it, I would have had a huge response and it would likely have gone to someone making a profit from it and not actually needing it.
There are plenty of times when I want to get rid of stuff that is too good for the tip, but that I can't be bothered to sell, then I offer it, because I don't really care what the person who picks it up does with it, if they are selling it, it is going to someone who wants it and still staying out of landfill.
There are lots of freecycle guidelines and members who place wanteds like shopping lists are reminded of the aims of Freecycle.
It is very easy to create a filter within your email program so that ads with wanted in the subject are deleted or put into your junk folder. Then you only see the offered items.

donny-gal

I have offered several things on freecycle and the majority have been very well received, quite a lot send a email to say thanks afterwards. We then decided on some re-arrangement in our bedroom and offered the old units, etc., a guy came took all the units to pieces and removed them in the day, helped my DH with the heavier pieces into the garage where he dismantled them to take them away, very polite helpful, and even sent us a thank you card afterwards.

Recently I had a couple of no turn ups for an items, so I re-offered with a polite but strongly worded rant as to the reason for the re-offering no names were mentioned, and the mods did allow it, it was collected very promptly then by someone who did want it.

On the whole it has saved us time and money by not needed to go to the dump, and in the case of the bedroom paying for a skip, so it is a win win for me.
DG

Penelope_Penguin

joolzred wrote: »

I've been using my local freecycle groups for around 3 weeks now and my initial enthusiasm has worn off, I'm afraid.

My take on freecycle = a great idea in theory. If everyone using it was as (naively?) open to freely giving and receiving as I seem to be then it'd be great. It seems, to me, that it's mostly peopled by vultures who are all take take take and no give.

Suppose you're entitled to your opinion. Mine is that Freecycle is great :j I cleared a load of stuff from my house that was cluttering it up, but I was loathe to send to landfill. I've picked up a couple of good pieces for myself, and loads of "real junk" for my artistic DD to make artworks from :T

I'll add this to the exisitng Freecycle thread.

Penny. x

Alcmene

I got a dog pen for my poorly cat. I picked it up yesterday and the couple I got if from where so very very nice! I was an hour late as had been held up at the vet and they didn't mind, and the husband put it in my car for me and everything. There are still lots of lovely people left in the world.

Penny-Pincher!!

emg wrote: »

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!

I only ever give out my address last minute to the person I give the item too. I always advertise that the item needs collecting ASAP.

It can be annoying when people dont show but generally, I have had no problems and am glad the item has been taken as it saves us disposing of it.

I have 2 people who have had items before and I always give them first refusal.

csarina

It never ceases to amaze me how generous people can be.

I very much tongue in cheek put an advert on our local freecycle for a steam cleaner, much to my suprise someone contacted me with the offer of one. I have just collected it and it is a Polti Vaporetto 2400. It must have cost quite a lot of money. I am so grateful, it has saved me money I really could not afford to spend in order to ensure there are no spores of C-Diff left in the house and I can also clean my settee cushions and the hall carpet which gets very grubby.

I feel very humble that a stranger should be so kind.

seafarers_wife

you are a very lucky lady, and obviously deserved it otherwise you wouldnt have got it.

glad its saved you money as well, please let me know how good they are so i can be jealous!

seafarers xx

csarina

This is the Polti I have been given, a new one would be about £300, I am so grateful for such a kind gesture from a stranger.