Freecycle etc.

whitesatin

Not sure where to put this post but need to have a rant.

I put some thngs on Freecycle and had a lot of interest. I decided to go with the first people who seemed keen. Promised to collect the following day at a certain time. I stayed in for them. They didn't show. I had already told people it had gone. Grrrrr! Why do people do that>

I put that on a par with non payers on Ebay, and I have had that this week too.

I offered some furniture to our local charity (furniture) shop. They said they would collect it but wanted a donation of £5 as it is for charity. Yes, I know that, that is why I am donating and not selling.

Not a good week, rant over.

lincroft1710

Freecycle (or Freegle as the UK version is now called) is well known for no shows. I used to get people email saying they wanted an item, but didn't follow up when I asked for a date/time when they could collect.

However I've met some very genuine people who were extremely grateful for the items I offered and if I later had something to give away I thought may be suitable I would often offer it to them before posting on Freegle.

unsure

I used to use freecycle a lot but gave up when rudeness, greed and no shows reached such a level that it made the whole things more trouble than it was worth. Now we put things out on the street outside the house with a "please help yourself" sign attached. We've recently got rid of an old bathroom cabinet, mirror and bin, wooden planters, a tv set and a metal futon base(without futon). Everything has gone within a day, though I'd probably bring things in overnight if not. It seems to work much better and haven't had any problems so far.
In Germany local communities select a day when every body does this and they can all recycle/scavenge from each other. I believe a few place sin the UK have started doing the same.

Mojisola

whitesatin wrote: »

I put some thngs on Freecycle and had a lot of interest. I decided to go with the first people who seemed keen. Promised to collect the following day at a certain time. I stayed in for them. They didn't show. I had already told people it had gone. Grrrrr! Why do people do that>

One of the problems with Freecycle/Freegle is the "professional" askers on them. You will usually find the first replies come from people who are permanently on the computer and put in a request for everything that's offered. They then only follow up on the things they really want - often stuff they can resell.

I always give at least 24 hours before choosing someone and then I look at their posting history. I have found that some people don't have any posts - for Wants or Offers - and I reckon they are just looking for stuff to resell. If I can find someone who has made some Offers, I will give them preference.

gildius

Oh how annoying! I've never used Freecycle, but I'd be afraid of exactly that. Hopefully someone will follow through eventually

auoq86

Mojisola wrote: »

I always give at least 24 hours before choosing someone and then I look at their posting history. I have found that some people don't have any posts - for Wants or Offers - and I reckon they are just looking for stuff to resell. If I can find someone who has made some Offers, I will give them preference.

I'm often curious as to how people choose to gift their Freegle too. I offer a lot of stuff on Freegle, but I delete my posts once the item has been taken.
If people use your method for choosing someone then it sheds some light on why I don't ever get luck with responding to offers.
I'm always amazed that the first responses to an 'offered' arrive within minutes of posting on Freegle...I know you can get instant alerts, but are people **that** desperate?!

Incidentally I choose receipients based on their ability to use their Ps and Qs, and to be able to string a coherent sentence together. 'I wants', 'call me', text speak or the absence of any manners doesn't get my Freegle offerings - but I do respond to everyone who asks regardless (and then delete my post).

moggymutt

whitesatin, re the furniture that you have offered to the charity, I am sure what you were offering was good, but sadly the £5 is probably to cover the many times that they pick up stuff (ie costing them time and fuel) and it is not fit for sale. Sad but true, so many people look on donating goods to a charity shop as a way of avoiding them going to the tip with things that are obviously broken and/or filthy. You have no idea of some of the things that are left on our doorstep- the majority is good, but some is not just unsaleable, its totally disgusting. Particularly with furniture, people cant just leave it out with their rubbish, so some people sadly think they'll save money by getting a charity to come out and take it.

terrierlady

as Moggymutt has said its 100% true, dirty pants in black bags, used needles, all sorts get left in black bags perhaps people think black bags rubbish?we always state the furniture must have fire labels attached but still people try to get damaged items or really worn items collected, we dont charge for collection but do for delivery up to 12 miles £10, thats a round trip of 24 miles so cheap really.Electrical items need PAC testing so again it costs us.Please remember that 99% of donations are great its just the odd 1% rubbish please continue to let us have your old furniture to pass onto the needy, most charity shops /warehouses etc also need men to give their time dont think of it as womens work.