Freecycle is it corrupt??

grannybiker

(Sorry, haven't read the whole thread as it appears to be an old one resurrected, just the more recent posts.)
We became members a few years ago when Freecycle covered the whole county, but it quickly became so large that it was divided into smaller, more regional groups. We're members of a small group, where we live, but have remained members of two, much larger, neighbouring ones, as we frequently travel in to these places to work, shop, visit etc. In my experience, the smaller group, probably by law of averages, seem to experience far fewer problems.
We all know about the lack of manners, (or punctuation!) when responding, failures to collect, greedy grabbers, sellers posing as genuine Freecyclers, excessive "Wants" etc, etc.
However, these ARE in the minority. The focus should be on the "Cycle" rather than "Free" as this was the group's original aim.
Freecycle is a a great concept and we've met some lovely people through using it.
Let's not write off the organisation simply because we've had a few bad experiences. To put it into perspective, are you going to let a few inconsiderate drivers put you off using your car again?

Cardew

nicolaspets wrote: »

The main objective of freecycle is to keep tangible items out of landfill......

WANTED: La Perla perfume

Do any of you ladies have some of the original La Perla perfume that
you are no longer using? I'll be happy to take it off of your hands...

Just think of the horrible smell there would be in the local [strike]rubbish dump [/strike]recycling centre if everyone starting dumping their La Perla perfume.

Really public spirited of the lady!

Bayblue

I've seen Freecycle recommmneded a lot on other areas of this forum, mostly as a money saving exercise. I love the idea of Freeclycle though- I hate throwing things away and like the idea of things being used for years and years, added to the fact that I love old appliances and furniture.

However I don't really know much about how it works in practise and whether it would be worth my joining, I don't think it would be suitable for me. The reason I say that is twofold:

1)I live in a small flat, almost a bedsit really and I don't often have anything to give.

2) As a single, working person with no children I don't really score high on the needy/deserving scale, so I doubt that I'd be anybodies first choice when deciding who to give their items to.

So it puts me off joining, but I could be wrong.

linni

Makes no difference if you are single, no kids etc.. anyway the sob stories just put people off!!! Just ask nicely, and if you give the reason for wanting it, that always helps too. Good luck...

Pippilongstocking

I think the last poster is right, we are a single parent family - we have had lots of goodies from freecycle and given away when and where we can but not often, our household is a frugal one! Its not a points system, just a 'right place, right time' kinda lottery - i think its surely just luck as to who gets what, if you have a good reason for getting something then all the better but each time I guess its based on who applies and the 'givers' personal judgement.

Thus far on freecycle we have been given, warhammar, a chest freezer, a sofa bed, various plants and a couple of chooks. And have donated a table, telly, bits of bikes, football boots and a couple other random things.

We have giften a few bits and pieces, when I picked up the sofa bed, I gave the lady a bottle of wine, and she said 'oh wow but don't do it! defeats the ethos of the site!!!' she was just very happy to have someone turn up and take away her old sofa bed with no hassles of council pick ups or going to the dump.

I personally think freecycle rocks! Its great at teaching that whole ethos of stuff being 'worth' something to someone and negates the 'disposible society' that somehow became the almost norm.

BTW our new hens are called 'free' and 'cycle'. Although one did worrying arrive with the name, 'henny houdini'.

gingerandrubarb

As a member of my local freecycle i too have gotten rid of items that where either not needed or i felt could do with a better home ,
I used to own my own baby online shop and some of the items on my pallets where below my high standards or at times where not worth the hassle of me selling such as a £120 sprung cotbed mattress new and also pushchairs baby clothings , baths toys etc..
The way i see it i decide out of all the emails who i feel get's the items , Whether or not they are going to be selling at car boot or if they genually are keeping the item is really none of my business ,
As long as it stays out of landfill and goes to a home that will use it is all that really matters and lets face it ,those freecyclers who do get everything to sell are being money wise , because all of the items we freecycle could be taken to car boot sale but many of us either a -dont have the time or b - simply cant be bothered .

The person pickin up my items is doing me a favour as a mother of 2 and a bump as i dont have to take these large items to recycling or car boot myself .

Sailor_Sam

On my local Freecycle, St Helens. There are often reminders from the mods as to the rules, not for re-sale; be courteous and post taken etc etc.
A few weeks back the mods posted, they had been to someones house and took goods back, because he had been spotted selling items at a boot sale. They said he had been barred from all Freecycles around Merseyside.

grannybiker

Crikey, that's a bit extreme!
Others have already pointed out, the primary purpose of Freecycle is to keep stuff out of landfill. If people are paying for the stuff, they're going to use it, job done!
Although I always prefer my items to go to a person who'll use them, I do want rid! Providing the user clearly stated their intention, or was honest when asked, I really don't have a problem with re-selling.
Unless your Freecycle group is radically different from the 3 different ones I belong to, perhaps your mods should re-read Freecycle's etiquette guides!

Cardew

grannybiker wrote: »

Crikey, that's a bit extreme!
Others have already pointed out, the primary purpose of Freecycle is to keep stuff out of landfill. If people are paying for the stuff, they're going to use it, job done!
Although I always prefer my items to go to a person who'll use them, I do want rid! Providing the user clearly stated their intention, or was honest when asked, I really don't have a problem with re-selling.
Unless your Freecycle group is radically different from the 3 different ones I belong to, perhaps your mods should re-read Freecycle's etiquette guides!

IMO Freecycle is riddled with Ebay and Boot sale merchants.

You might not have a problem with people reselling, but it is expressly against the rules of many groups(most?) and all the others state that you must declare your intention to resell.

Yet how many do declare that intention.

It has become a byword for greed and deceipt, with hordes of cringe worthy begging requests.

A great idea tarnished!

catman-without_wings

Interesting thread. We are net givers and never give to the "I'll have it where are you lot" However have been very lucky to get stuff that although has little monetary value was important to us I broke the lid of our teapot(wedding pressie)and managed to get a replacement stuff like that.
However we have just spent a couple of days staying wiht some old friends and the topic got round to freecycle. I think it very much depends on the mods-ours are fine and the thing runs smoothly. Our friends freecycle however is far from fine.
The moderator(we think one in particular)has some sort of God complex. Firstly she decided only the word offer could be used. Posts containing the word offered are always changed. Then she decided to have various polls about freecycle policy
Now the best- she has posted a list of words that cannot be used. Some such as desperate well perhaps but need & ! (can't remember the entire list) now make some of the posts very funny indeed.
Our friends have now registered wiht their adjoining freecycle/realcycle and won't be bothering with Stockport any more.
Piity we don't live a little nearer as its now very very funny indeed.