Freecycle is it corrupt??

cwp500

lucypeach wrote: »

Watch those charity bags though. I saw something on tv about rogue companies who drop off bags claiming to be from a charity, they even say its registered.
I take things into my local charity shop, the problem is they now have so many rules as to what you can drop off. It makes it harder and harder to recycle and trying to help a good cause.

You can always check their legal status on the charity commissions website. If they have a charity registration number its easily verified or otherwise. As to rules and regs of the charitys, its hard lines for all of us that they operate under the same nannying Health and Safety ethos that pervades modern society.

But I would prefer to give to charity than to grubby car boot Del Trotters.

Sarahsaver

Phyre is your local freecycle not moderated well enough? Maybe you just need a word with the mods? Ours will not allow 'sob stories' of any kind.

leem_3

Been part of a couple of staffordshire freecycle groups for about 6 months now, and on the whole I am loving it!!! Have collected some great stuff, single cast iron day bed, gunea pig run, exercise bike and people have been wonderful. I have also freecycled items, dvd player, dinner set, baby gunea pig and found on the whole they have gone to very good deserved homes. Yes a few people replied to me saying they could ''take it off my hands'' I just ignored the e mail. Long live freecycle!!!!

lucypeach

I love that you have had a good experience. I really did try with it, I think they had a few write ups in our local newspaper and suddenly we were all inundated with begging letters. I definitely feel it should be moderated more, but that would be a huge task. My friend lives in New York and they have furnished their first little flat with things they pick up on their street. It sounds a bit weird, but the Brooklyn neighborhood they live in actively encourages people to put out their unwanted furniture and others walking past just take it as they want. My friend had just bought a new place and needed furniture, and they got some really nice stuff. I suppose there is a downside and that would be fly tipping. Would we want our streets covered in old sofa's and betamax videos (remember them?). So, I'll persevere with freecycle a little more and keep up my swapping habit (do it for free on whatsmineisyours.com), I recycle all my household waste and think before I throw anything out. I know freecycle can be a pain, but I'd rather see it work than allowing us to keep adding to the tonnes of waste that rots in our landfills.

high-rise_andrew

I'm not really bothered what happens to my old rubbish once I put it out my front door onto the landing or the concierges collect for the rubbish van when it comes 3times a week. As was said by cwp, I'm frugal too with a deflated ego and my stuff lasts yearsssssssss until it is quite done. Though I do look after things. My late mother always said that if you buy rubbish, you have to buy again. Something the kids(younger people under 30) lol, possibly need to take onboard

Coldfinger

high-rise_andrew wrote: »

I'm not really bothered what happens to my old rubbish once I put it out my front door ......

I am inclined to agree as long as I am not illegally dumping. If I don't need something and someone will take it off my hands I'm not bothered if they manage to get a few quid for it, just as long as it has gone and my wife gets off my back.

I wouldn't jump something that wouldn't work and I wouldn't be unethical but isn't passing on to others recycling anyway?

Cardew

In the highly unlikely event that someone declares that they are going to sell your goods on Ebay or boot sales, then it would be OK; albeit against the rules of my group.

However they don't declare this and it is the deceit that bothers most people.

I want my goods to go to someone who will use them, not to some latter day rag and bone man, without the scruples.

lucypeach

there is a fantastic new site launching called jumbleaid it looks really promising and its for a good cause. Can't remember where I heard of it but it could be a great alternative to freecycle.

penniesforme

Phyre_Faerie wrote: »

Wanteds have their place but some people out there are just greedy. On my group there is one women always begging with lots of !!!!!'s with her five kids and how she's so skint. She will post for days on end till she gets what she wants. She drives me so insane i dont read the mails anymore and only use the group when i need to get rid which is a shame. One of our best gets was an ancient plotter printer which we have adapted to be able to do vinyl cutting (signage) and I'm missing out on things like that now. <shrug> That was definatly saved from the skip. Maybe we can MSEcycle... no !!!!! allowed...

exactly...same as my local one......zillions of post from this 'single mum of 3' who need a cooker/dishwasher/lamp/printer/microwave/dect telephones/mobiles/cars/what else and what not. her posts are always allowed onto the wanted list.

when i post a wanted for two electrical stuff that i really need, the Mods shoot it down and branded me a liar that takes advantage of kindness of others.

i've always suspected that either the single mum of 3 is one of the mods,...and now after reading this thread,...i am 99% sure that she is...why else will they turn a blind eye to numerous 'wanted's being posted every day, from the same person, at that.

Sparky67

I tend to opt for those people that will come and collect the odd item - if they are putting themselves out to fetch one thing, then I think they are more likely to be genuine than those who reply straight away saying that they will have everything you've posted.