Fill Your House for Free

Gigervamp

The shop in the programme is set up for the show. She mentions that the items in the shop have been picked up in various places (freecycle, gumtree, skips etc) all over the UK.

It would be nice if something like that was real, but how on earth would the shop owners pay all the expenses of keeping a shop like that running?

I've had some great stuff from Freecycle and given a lot away on it too. I think furnishing a home with free and low cost stuff is great fun. You get a real thrill when you manage to bag the perfect item, or transform with some paint an unloved piece of furniture and it ensures your home looks unique. I hate homes that look like they've come out of the Argos catalogue!

LisbonLaura

freeisgood wrote: »

I think the shop was fabricated

As is Kirsty.
She isn't real, honestly.
You have to admire the robot designers.

flora48

I thought Freecycle was great when I first started to use it about seven years ago, I have given away loads of stuff. I remember clearly my first gifting, some nearly new curtains, the young man was so pleased and sent a lovely mail to say thank you with a couple of pic to show them hanging in their newly painted room. However times sem to have changed, manners out of the window, people being very demanding about delivery and or collection. Just leave the stuff outside is what I have been told recently, I wonder who actually comes to collect it in the early mornings!
Let alone all the no shows and requests for specific make , colour etc. My last few experiences have led me to opt out of Freecycle.

thestens

Most experiences I have had with Freecycle have been positive, both a a giver and receiver, but like other some have been annoying. However I still think it is worth using. Ebay is def. worth a try as sometimes things go extremely cheaply - I just got a very nice coffee table for £8, which was exactly what I wanted to match my existing one. Also a Ercol dining table and chairs in perfect condition, although that wasn't cheap at £400, but new would be thousands. Charity shops are also very good value and don't forget to look in any skips around your locality - people throw away all sorts of good stuff!! Also flea markets / car boot sales.

Solsol

eBay is definitely worth a look for larger items listed as collection only as you have far less competition when bidding so can get some real bargains as long as you are able to collect things yourself

harrys_dad

I am having a new kitchen so put some stuff on freecycle for the first time recently. I have got rid of a dresser, various appliances and a kitchen island. Without exception all respondents were polite and courteous, and happy to arrange a convenient collection time. When I furnished my first house I bought the furniture at a jumble sale. I am pleased to be able to help others now.

BigAunty

Emmaus is also a good charity shop for furniture.

I am a regular freecycler.It is also my policy to ignore one line demands for an item that include a mobile number to call them or that I deliver it or one laden with a sob story.

I've cut down on 'no shows', people who keep delaying collection and those that ask for the item but then don't respond to an offer. I do this by not giving out my address until a date/time has been fixed and making clear that if it isn't collected or the email responded to, it goes to the next person on the list.

Despite that, two of my recent collectors turned up randomly despite agreeing to a set date, one a few days late, as 'they just happened to be passing'.

On two occasions, people have offered to deliver an item to me upon finding out that I was coming by public transport because they have friends visiting who live near me and can drop it off. For going beyond the call of their existing generosity, they get a supply of Tunnocks teacakes and wafers.

I've sent a small light item in the post before after the person sent me a self addressed, stamped envelope.

PasturesNew

Kirstie's team hired a team of "product searchers" to search loads and loads of free things available up and down the entire country, for several weeks (months?) .... with a brief of what to look for. These items were then collected from all round the country and brought together into one "store", just for the show.

These items were specially chosen by a team of interior designers, who would have binned a lot. They were then laid out "nicely" in the "store" for the show participants.

Next a team of interior designers and craftsmen would have discussed each house and the stuff they'd got .... possibly even topping up the first "store" with stuff they hadn't got yet, but needed.

These experts (e.g. carpenters, cushion makers, decorators), with their knowledge, skills, expensive tools etc then filled a house for free... with the aid of the interior decorators.

Yeah, you can do it, just go on Freecycle.

robatwork

These programmes are amazing.

Some gopher calls up builder's merchant, doesn't mention he's making a tv programme (yeah course), and blags some "offcuts" or "remnants".

Cue picture from inside builder's merchant with van pulling up and surprised owner walking out and shaking hands.

The only way a member of the public could do this is by pretending to be making a DIY programme, getting a mate with a video camera to help. How's your chutzpah?

mttylad

Kirsty's show has certainly boosted the memberships of Freegle and Frecycle type sites.

Although only with those that are going to post wanted posts for free stuff rather than those that will give the stuff away in the first place.

So if you join, remember it's a 2 way street and you should play the game fairly and offer that stuff you no longer use.