Lovely Freecycle Stories

Frugalbride

In the spirit of positivity on this board, I hope you don't mind me posting my recent Freecycle experience.
I offered a three seater sofa. It was taking up loads of room upstairs but I was very reluctant to throw it away as it had been my Grandma's sofa and was a constant feature in lots of my memories. It was old but very well made.
A man came to collect it today and told us it was for somebody in need, thanked us and went on his way. I have just had an email from him giving us an update.
The sofa has been given to a single mum with five children who had to leave her old home in a hurry. All the children can sit on the sofa at once and it is helping to make it a bit more homely for them. They had to sit on the floor previously and hadn't been able to find anything affordable in the charity shops. I had a lovely photo sent to me with the update. I know my grandma would have been pleased too. I always used to put things on ebay or give to charity shop, but I will definitely donate more this way.
Has anyone else had a good experience with Freecycle?

Brighton_belle

That's heartwarming. It does help part with stuff,or declutter that which we no longer need or use if it goes to an appreciative home doesn't it?
I've had a number of items collected by freecyclers over the last month and they have all been really lovely people and appreciative.

daisiegg

That is lovely my parents once passed on a trampoline via freecycle. The recipients lived about a 15 mins walk away and they just carried it through the streets! It was a big one too, not just a little individual one. Very funny sight!

We have tried putting bits of furniture on in the past but with no luck. Ended up taking things to the tip

paulineb_2

Frugalbride wrote: »

In the spirit of positivity on this board, I hope you don't mind me posting my recent Freecycle experience.
I offered a three seater sofa. It was taking up loads of room upstairs but I was very reluctant to throw it away as it had been my Grandma's sofa and was a constant feature in lots of my memories. It was old but very well made.
A man came to collect it today and told us it was for somebody in need, thanked us and went on his way. I have just had an email from him giving us an update.
The sofa has been given to a single mum with five children who had to leave her old home in a hurry. All the children can sit on the sofa at once and it is helping to make it a bit more homely for them. They had to sit on the floor previously and hadn't been able to find anything affordable in the charity shops. I had a lovely photo sent to me with the update. I know my grandma would have been pleased too. I always used to put things on ebay or give to charity shop, but I will definitely donate more this way.
Has anyone else had a good experience with Freecycle?

I gave away a bag of clothes to a few people last year (I had a lot to give away) and washed and dried them before I handed them over, they were clean but just needed a freshen up, even though one of the girls had said dont bother, I'll wash them again when you give me them. She gave me a bottle of wine, wasnt expecting that, was a nice gesture.

Ive not given anything away on freecycle for a wee while, but I just donated about 50 books to the PDSA and I'll probably have another clear out very soon.

jackyann

I had a load of old 78s (for young people, they were records of songs, dating back to the 30s)
I didn't have a great deal of time, so just put them on Freecycle. They went to a local collective of DJs who sample them at local clubs! My great-grandparents would have laughed as they loved dancing!

Our old Children's Britannica went to a family of asylum seekers whose only internet access was at school or library and wanted something to help with the children's homework when neither was available.

My mother's stash of leather pieces (she used to make craft items) went to someone who makes bags from recycled materials.

Dazedandconfused

I gave away some tickets to a local event on free cycle on the day when we couldn't go as we all had flu. There are two local groups. One would let me list it and the other wouldn't. Think tickets are a bit iffy. Anyway the person that got them was delighted as it had sold out and she bought me round a bunch of flowers that were prob worth more than the tickets bless her.

Georgiegirl256

That's lovely FB! I'm sure your grandma would have been so pleased that her sofa has went to a good home and is being put to good use. How lovely of the gentleman to update you too.

I've never used freecycle before, but love the concept of it. I love the thought of things being passed on and reused. I'm sure if I had a big sort out I could find quite a few bits and pieces that could find a new home.

Walk_Me_Home_Cheddar

We were getting rid of our couch and two armchairs that were only about six years old. Even though we still had the invoice to prove their age, none of the charity shops would take them because the fire safety stickers had come off the bottom (one lady was actually quite rude, as if I was trying to palm any old crap off on them).

I hated the idea of them going to waste so I stuck them on Freecycle (first time I'd ever used it). They ended up going to a local housing unit for young mums and their babies. I got a lovely email from the lady who'd initially contacted me shortly after her husband had collected them to thank me and tell me they were already in use in their communal area. Definitely a better end than them going to the tip!

tomtontom

I gave away a sofa and got a date

paulineb_2

Freecycle is fab if you can get over the teething problems, such as users wanting you to travel to drop the stuff off and some people also have an issue if someone gets items and then sells them on on ebay. Ive never known whats happened to any of the stuff Ive given away, but when I do have a clearout on freecycle its always stuff Im happy to give away for nowt and stuff I cant be bothered listing on ebay anyway.

This_Year

I've given away tons of stuff on freecycle - xmas outside lights, a violin, books, childrens clothes... you name it. Also collected lots, walking boots (well known brand) bathroom taps, crockery, tents, wine making gubbins etc.

Think it's brilliant.