Freecycle...Is It Me?

southerndave

Bit of a moan, sorry. Freecycle, is it just me not using it right to get rid of stuff? I have put posts on, some have required 'moderation' for some reason but the mods never seem to do anything so those posts never get to see the light of day.

Next the ones that did get through, I got loads of people wanting stuff who just NEVER turn up? Why go to the bother of replying, making a time and day and then not show up for FREE stuff? I just don't get it!

At the point where I am going to run the lot up the tip and be done with it.......:mad:

KxMx

No it's not just you

Tupperware_Queen

the point is, its free, so they don't lose by not collecting it. I have pretty much given up on it, requests are for ridiculous stuff - asking for things which really should be considered luxury, and demanding that they are in good condition - I offered something to someone, was in fair condition (it was a well used but fully functioning tumble dryer - a bit rusty on the bottom, but nothing a bit of a sand and paint wouldn't have fixed) I sent a pic, was told unless I fixed the rust AND delivered it, they weren't interested - how cheeky!!

southerndave

@kxMx....LOL! Unreal thread, very funny/dissapointing reading - the human condition huh?

@Tupperware_Queen. Depressing!

:-)

unholyangel

"Gift horse" and "mouth".

Tbh, i've only ever had good experiences through Freecycle! I must be lucky. I've always turned up when I said I would, they've always turned up when they said they would etc. And on one occasion, a young mother who was just setting up her first family home gave me a bottle of wine and a "thank you" card as I'd given them quite a lot of stuff (iron, microwave, tv, bedsheets, hairdryer, cutlery, toaster, kettle etc) and driven it down to them (which I'd offered to do to save them the hassle as my parents live around the corner from them).

I'm just one person but perhaps it will restore your faith in humanity just a little Grateful, polite and kind people do still exist It wasn't an expensive wine she gave me and i'm not a wine drinker much but still, given they were struggling to outfit a full home.....that was a wonderful thing for her to do. Especially when people of my generation (she was around the same age as me) are largely perceived as ungrateful and rude!

blossomhill_2

I've had a truly great time with freecycle (had my first no-show last week) so far

been sucessful bidder for some truly useful and unique things and been able to donate to many in the "wanted" ads - I prefer to do this as I then know it is going to someone who really wants it rather than just things "I'll have that" when they see something offered. However I have put offers up there too, just to keep the thing balanced between wanters and givers

I have given bunches of flowers to a couple of donors, others I have judged just want to end up with less stuff so haven't given anything except a big thank you

I've met some great people along the way too, (visiited some anonymous doorsteps and left several things on the doorstep which have been collected without any contact too - it can be whatever you make it)

If you are a guy, bear in mind that women may be windy about meeting up to collect, so may be best to arrange a point of collecton they would consider safe

ellay864

I've had good and bad. I am now very dubious about any e-mail I get that says they are interested in my 'item' as on my local site there are people who send e-mails replying to just abut anything but not showing. If they want it I'd expect them to at least refer to what it is. I never go on 'first come first served' basis, I leave it a little while then if I've had several contacts I'll either do a random draw or go for one with what seems like a plausible story; OK people may lie but I figure if they go to more effort to ensure they get it, they're more likely to actually want and collect it

Sambucus_Nigra

What I do is...

In the last line of the blurb, I say 'please indicate when you will be able to collect - responses without this piece of information will be automatically deleted'.

I find this cuts out the 'I want it' crowd who respond to everything. And they automatically get deleted.

amyjo248

Totally agree with last two. Don't pay any attention to the i'll take its. But I also kick out the sob stories.

kermitfrog

amyjo248 wrote: »

...I also kick out the sob stories.

Me too. When I was giving away a freezer, a woman on the phone went through a sob story that had me nearly throwing up. She was immediately crossed off my list.

amyjo248

They think they are making themselves more worthy. All I think is what a great story teller. Call me skeptical but I immediately think they are lying or greatly exagerating.