Tips to help when using Freecycle

Reverbe

Bronnie Yeah I did understand that but they asked me to go on Saturday and knew full well when they were expecting me.Didn't know where to look and it really has put me off Freecycle.

Princess_Jane

I've recently had a really bad run of luck with Freecyle.

Ended up taking summat to the dump as would-be collector messed me about for a week with promises to arrive, then asked if I a van to drop the item off for her (it was large), then finally arrived half-an-hour after we'd despairingly got rid of the item.

Worse she used family bereavement as reason for not showing up or contacting me several times, so although I wanted to tell her not to bother, I can't believe someone would use things like that as an excuse if it wasn't true, so I felt I should cut her some slack.

Olliebeak

Have to say that my own experiences of Freecycle have been very positive. My first 'offer' was a small, black wrought-iron table lamp and I was very surprised that it was exactly what somebody else was looking for.

Just after that I answered somebody who advertised a 'steam steriliser' for baby's bottles (Tommee Tippee electronic with unused bottles still in the box and still on sale for over £30!) and was delighted to be successful. Since then I've had a chest of drawers, a fabulous baby walker and a copy of a 'beginner's crochet book' that I'd been looking for for ages .

I've offered three big bags of quiz books (taken by someone who organises charity quiz evenings!), 24prs of gardening gloves (allotment club), assorted candle holders and candles (young girl moving into her first home), cordless keyboard and mouse still in box (I did a draw of all applicants after 24 hrs for that one!) and a broken printer that the guy was delighted with as he had the same model that was also broken but mine could be used to repair his .

I do prefer to receive a polite request and a thank you (I make sure that my own applications are polite and thanked!) - but if they didn't thank me, I just would make sure that they were refused the next time. I do answer every e-mail (just temporarily store all applicants e-mails and then compose a general reply that the item has been taken and then 'bcc' it to all non-succesful applicants!) as well as posting on Freecycle site that the item/s have been collected.

I just believe in 'what goes around, comes around' and vice versa .

Bronnie

Princess_Jane wrote: »

I've recently had a really bad run of luck with Freecyle.

Ended up taking summat to the dump as would-be collector messed me about for a week with promises to arrive, then asked if I a van to drop the item off for her (it was large), then finally arrived half-an-hour after we'd despairingly got rid of the item.

Worse she used family bereavement as reason for not showing up or contacting me several times, so although I wanted to tell her not to bother, I can't believe someone would use things like that as an excuse if it wasn't true, so I felt I should cut her some slack.

It can go that way sometimes, one of my early Freecycle experiences was when I advertised an old garden trellis arch. I had described it as old and in need of TLC and had lots of requests. I decided to donate it to a local Country Park Ranger who had requested it for use in the Park, on the basis that I thought more people would benefit. When I returned home that night, it lay sprawled on my front garden , broken and with a fairly scathing note attached along the lines of my advertising rubbish. I was so affronted and hurt it nearly put me off Freecycle completely.
This is when I put my sensible head on and approached Freecycle on a much more business like basis. I take great pleasure in being nice to fellow freecyclers but I keep the Freecycle aim in mind. There's absolutely no reason to put yourself out or be inconvenienced. Simple matter of fact emails along the lines of sorry , need to get rid of this immediately and have reoffered it, are the way to go with folk who don't turn up. There should be no need to take offence, its just a simple deal. We are all brain-washed into being so 'nice'. Well, we can be 'nice', but most of us have busy lives too so, as the person doing the giving, do what's convenient for you and don't get too personal about it!

soon2bjobless

I must admit we have had some smashing stuff from freecycle - my daughter moved into a bungalow and got a table and chairs, fridge freezer, microwave, washing maching, tv unit and matching record cabinet. All were old but gratefully received - within a year all the electrical stuff had died but it gave her a chance to save up for new stuff. She eventually replaced the other things with stuff more to her choice but free-cycled them to other grateful users. She even got a pair of crutches which helped after an operation!

I was lucky enough to get a dishwashwer, a wee trailer, slabs for the garden and even a kayak for my daughter!

Its a great way of getting rid of stuff that although maybe not in the best of nick - will do a turn for someone and also for getting rid of heavy items.

Only had one problem - I offered a compost bin which was sitting in my front garden - the guy came when I was out and took the bin but left the pile of compost in it sitting in the middle of the lawn!

WickedAunt

I've been a Freecycle member for a little while, and fully agree that a little courtesy and common sense go a long way.

A couple of suggestions:
- if you're wary about giving out your home telephone number, you could get a mobile phone SIM card to use just for Freecycle. You'll need an unlocked mobile 'phone (if you're lucky, from Freecycle!), and SIM cards can be obtained free from several providers (see links on this site).
- if you're uncomfortable giving out your home address to strangers, arrange to meet at a public place. This only works if the items are small, of course (a small suitcase on wheels may come in handy).

I've got an Orange SIM I use for Freecycle (and the cinema ticket offers!) which didn't cost me anything. My last freecycler meeting was in a nearby car park in front of a small parade of shops - easy to find and it saved hunting for a parking space.

Murrell

Hi,

Do you need a yahoo email to join, I don't seem to be able to join.

thanks in advance
Sandra

squeaky

It's much easier if you do sign on with yahoo first.

It's a relatively painless operation. Except for the bit where you completely forget the new email name you had to create for yourself...

Pitlanepiglet

I love Freecycle but you do need to use it carefully and I've had some frustrating experiences.

We moved a month ago and as most of our stuff was going into storage we cleared out loads and without freecycle vast amounts would have gone to the tip. Where else can you get rid off old bike saddles, wheels and flippers and have someone collect from your door and be genuinely pleased!

After some frustrating first goes I'm now really specific in my offer, I flag up it something is heavy, bulky, needs dismantling etc., to try to avoid problems. I always say when the item must be gone by and I ask that when people respond they say when they can collect.

I then ignore anyone who uses text speak, doesn't say please or thank you, sends an obviously standard email and doesn't say when they can collect.

When I offer to someone at that stage I email to say "you can have it as long as you collect by x" which ties in with what they have said AND I tell them they must confirm that they are coming, otherwise I've found you sit around not knowing whether they are coming or not and not being able to offer onto someone else.

We met some lovely people who were genuinely pleased to have the items. We also had a shirty bloke about a bike wheel who said he could come that afternoon, then when I offered said actually he could only come at 9pm that night (this was the morning) so I went back saying OK, I've reoffered to someone else (I was out that night) and he emailed to say he was "very disapointed in my behaviour!).

Then there was the fridge/freezer advertised as tatty and suitable for a garage - call from someone asking about the condition and did it have any dents as if so she wasn't interested! Then the next people for the fridge freezer who asked the height, so I went out and measured it - 6ft, when they turned up there was lots of "oooh it's big isn't it" - yes.....6 ft!

tattoed_bum

i have a quick question i bought a brand new dishwasher before christmas from a scratch and dent place ,when we got it home it wouldnt work we had it checked out and apparently it needs a new pump at a cost of £45 ,my dh contacted the company that we got it from and they have now gone bust .by this time dh got peed of and bought one from argos

would i be able to give this away on freecycle ,i know things are supposed to be free but would anyone want it if they have to pay £45 to get it repaired .as it is now it is just sitting in our garage taking up space