Rant - Freecycle users

doughnutmachine

I've given away stuff twice on freecycle. Both times the people arrived on time and thanked me for the things.

It would be sad if a few bad experiences stopped people using freecycle, it's a really good idea imho.

cherie1122

I've only had good experiences on there and have met nice people who have collected my books, vacuum, clothes airers, TV, etc.

I gave away a lovely fridge freezer a few months ago (we just didn't have enough room for it) the guy was really pleased with it and sent me a nice email after he'd got it home to say so.

I rarely ask for anything on there but this summer I needed oxygenating plant for our fish pond so advertised for that and a lovely lady a few miles away contacted me to say I could have some of hers. All I had to do was take round a bucket.

I love Freecycle :T

anarchied

I've had the same on Facebook selling sites, although obviously these aren't regulated like Freecycle etc is.

Takeaway_Addict

Norman_Castle wrote: »

A few years ago I offered a pc monitor. The person I offered it to failed repeatedly to collect it so I put it on ebay for a pound. It sold for a pound in the last minute of the sale. The buyer failed to pay or contact me. I then noticed her near identical email address to the freecycler. It was the same person. Some people are just clueless time wasters.
It was taken eventually by someone who arrived on foot and was happy to carry a large and heavy pc monitor 3/4 of a mile to his home.

Edit. Just remembered, I checked the non collecting ebayers feedback not long after . She had bought another monitor from someone else and failed to pay or collect that. Bonkers. OCD?

Why on earth do you draw the conclusion this is OCD?

mttylad

Ad Doughnutmachine says - don't let a few bad apples spoil what is a really useful idea.

It costs a lot these days to get the council to come & take your junk away, or for you to remove it yourself. Freecycle or even Freegle (IMHO much better in the UK) enables you to get rd of junk and all you need is to find someone that wants it.
Simples

gunsandbanjos

There is a huge thread on the eBay sub forum on here about freecycle and the crazy people that use it.

I can't be faffed with it quite honestly, I live on my own so don't really want randoms coming to my house.

I had a bunch of big stuff to get rid of recently and organised an uplift from the council, I put it all out by the kerb as instructed and within about 2 hours all but one thing had been taken! More than happy for that to happen, caused me no hassle and people who wanted/needed stuff got it :-)

pimento

I don't get the giving stuff away because you need the house space and then passing judgement on the people who want it. So what if they're going to sell it? Nothing is stopping you doing just that if you want to.

I've given a few things away and have never had any trouble. The last thing was all my son's old baby clothes. They were taken by a woman who was about to go to Africa to volunteer in a hospital. She just happened to contact me first.

Homeagain

Hoof_Hearted wrote: »

I gave up on freecycle for similar reasons -- people not turning up on time to collect or people clearly not wanting the item for their own or their family's use. It's a great idea ruined by the greedy and inconsiderate.

Sorry, I agree with your sentiments entirely, but have to say that I love, love, love your signature
Amazing things egg slicers - (I need to get out more).

Homeagain

Mind you, have had good and bad experiences with Freecycle but have met some really good people. I once advertised some duvet covers on the FB free site, one single set and two doubles. My daughter was here and gave the wrong ones out - what a fuss, they reported me to admin. (I was terrified, frightened and severely intimidated ... oops I feel a compensation claim coming on) I mean FB admin - how very scarey.
Crikey, I was giving it away not selling it. Why they couldn't have resolved it between themselves was a mystery to me.

Esqui

I generally have good experiences with freecycle. The people have nearly always been lovely and grateful.


However, one thing I'm sure we can agree on is that things like this are the worst:


"Hi, I'm looking for a TV for my daughter's bedroom. We have just redecorated her bedroom and she would like a TV to go in it. Must be at least 26" and HAS to be a flatscreen with Freeview and preferably a DVD player built in.


Thanks"