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devious Freecycle taker?
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ThumbRemote wrote: »Do you have an issue with that? Isn't it usually the prerogative of the giver to decide what they give to whom?
No. What I do have an issue with is the OP coming on here all sanctimonious and getting sniffy because not everyone agrees with her stance on charitable giving.'Never argue with an idiot. They will only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.' George Carlin0 -
I gave some stuff away on freecycle, they loaded it their van, closed the doors and then told me they used freecycle to furnish the flats they owned so could get more money renting out furnished flats.
I now take it to a charity shop or sell it on gumtree.0 -
There really are some vile people on here.
I understand that people want to give things away to people who really need them. Some people who use Freecycle have latched on to it to make money, which is fine, but is not in the spirit of Freecycle. Personally, I had so much bother with people not turning up or expecting stuff to be delivered that I gave it up.
Another great idea ruined by greedy people.Je suis sabot...0 -
Hoof_Hearted wrote: »There really are some vile people on here.
I understand that people want to give things away to people who really need them. Some people who use Freecycle have latched on to it to make money, which is fine, but is not in the spirit of Freecycle. Personally, I had so much bother with people not turning up or expecting stuff to be delivered that I gave it up.
Another great idea ruined by greedy people.
'Not in the spirit of freecyle', what on earth does that mean?
I put an add up for some floor standing speakers on Friday, the first person to use the words thank-you and could collect were offered them, by sunday they have been re-furbed and are on ebay.
Which is great, the speakers are not in landfill, they will go to someone who will use them and someone else makes a few quid and everyone is happy, mostly me, I got rid of speakers with a minimum of fuss.0 -
'Not in the spirit of freecyle', what on earth does that mean?
I put an add up for some floor standing speakers on Friday, the first person to use the words thank-you and could collect were offered them, by sunday they have been re-furbed and are on ebay.
Which is great, the speakers are not in landfill, they will go to someone who will use them and someone else makes a few quid and everyone is happy, mostly me, I got rid of speakers with a minimum of fuss.
I personally see no problem at all with this.
At the end of the day, if someone is given something for free, then spends their time refurbing it and making it a usuable item, why can't they sell it on?
They aren't simply lifting it off you and driving to a local poor house, and then selling it for a profit.
They are spending their time and their money to refurb it and sell on, if it's for a profit then brilliant, if it's to cover the costs of the time and money they've spent on it then fair play.
Just because you (this is not directed at you DKLS btw) cannot make money from it and someone else can, is no reason to complain.0 -
The spirit of freecycle is to keep things out of landfill first and foremost.
It's not a charity set up to help only the needy.
If people don't want to give to traders then fine, personally all I am bothered about is the stuff going and getting a re-use, whether that be through a sale or not.0 -
I've noticed a few Freecycle-esque Facebook groups popping up lately, in which items are "gifted".
I've noticed that a lot of people doing the "gifting" like to get very sanctimonious and seem to be doing it in order to get an ego boost.
They put the item up, stating clearly that it's still worth so many hundreds of pounds on *insert overpriced website* (despite these items often being on Gumtree for £20-40, they MUST have you know it is very expensive new) and then say "if you want the item, comment and I'll pick someone later". Seems pretty fair, but because of this it gets really competitive with tons of sob stories etc.
One woman even decided not to "gift" her item because she got too many sob stories sent to her inbox. This could have just been avoided by using the "first to comment/first that can collect can have the item", as it seemed she just wanted to get rid of an item for free (the local council would charge to take the item, around £30)
However, due to the response, she then decided not to "gift" but invited cash bids on the item...
And if you're lucky enough to "win" an item, you must gush and gush your thanks, and praise the "gifter" to high heaven, or so help you god you'll never "win" anything again. Clearly I think you should thank the person, but I've seen people criticised for writing only "Thank you to X for the Y they kindly gifted to me, it's very much appreciated."
You're expected to write a small essay on their God-like qualities!
Frankly, if I have something to give away, if you're polite and can collect at a time convenient to me, it's yours.
If you make money out of it when I can't be bothered to, congratulations to you!0 -
whitesatin wrote: »Yes, I could give it to a charity shop. We have plenty round here that pick up and sell furniture but I am horrified at some of the prices they charge for something that has been donated in the first place. I have seen many people walk out of the shop disappointed at the prices. You can buy new in certain places for the prices charged. I accept that they have overhead costs but I would rather give it away and fulfil a real need. A lot of people really cannot afford to buy decent furniture.
To be fair, your view on charity shop overpricing is a bit of a misconception. If you give a certain shop eg Age UK or British Heart Foundation an item, they have a responsibility to sell it for as much money as possible to a) cover overheads and b) make as much money as possible for that charity.
THAT is why they collect and sell stuff, it isn't to service the less well off of the needy (unless it's that type of charity, like Shelter maybe) - if it does then that's an additional benefit, nothing more.
Perhaps the problem is that you did not realise that Freecycle was primarily about landfill (neither did I). Now that you do you can choose NOT to donate there. TBH I offered a freebie on Gumtree a short while ago. Got lots of responses, arranged pick up, waited in, but guy didn't bother to show up. Same thing happened with 2nd guy on the list too, 2 wasted afternoons.
Waste of my time so chopped it up and took it over the Council skip. Won't be bothering with any freebies in future unless it's to a charity shop. Life's too short to waste it on plonkers.
Can't say I wholly object to people taking, refurbing and selling stuff. It's up to the 'giver' to feel comfortable with what 'might' happen with their 'gifts'.
My advice, sell on Gumtree, cash only, after viewing deposit to confirm purchase intent, buyer to remove item promptly. etc etc. I've flogged stuff I was initially intending to give away. Can always donate 'takings' to charity if you wish.Seen it all, done it all, can't remember most of it.0 -
I understand the purpose of freecycle but I would rather my kid's old bike went to a family who wanted to use the bike rather than somebody who sells it for a quick profit.
Last time, I put a bike in the park with a "free bike" sign on it with a note of explanation in case a parent thought it had been nicked. It may have ended up being sold but at least I didn't have to wait in and appreciate that somebody had actually turned up to collect.
I can no longer be bothered with Freecycle.Je suis sabot...0 -
Certainly against the terms of Freecycle's usage but by no means illegal. It's even difficult to say whether this is morally reprehensible or not. At the end of the day, it is taking this person's time and effort to resell the items which he receives. Misleading practices are quite common in business and some would say necessary.0
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