Freecycle is it corrupt??

chnelomi

niknaknoo1982 wrote: »

There could be a genuine reason for it seemingly being taken so soon after being offered. If the member is on 'moderation' meaning the moderators have to check the post before it is approved. (I'm an ex - mod/co-owner of my local group)...

I (for some reason) am now on moderation, and i offered an item the other day at around 11.15am. It did not get approved until 5pm, By which time i'd already managed to rehome it before it even got approved on Freecycle! Quite annoying really, It was only a small item but if it had been a sofa or something large it would have had to sit outside all day as i've no room to keep stuff dry indoors.

Well i suppose this would answer some of the quick wanted/taken posts.
Thanks for the clarification

Cacran

I too have had good experience with Freecycle.
I think I have given,possibly more than I have taken.
I placed a want ad for one thing and got it.
I tend to give to those who ask the nicest and with the best manners.
I do prefer to give to people who actually want to use the item but obviously they could sell it on. There can be no way to rule that out. In my opinion, I don't want the item, can be bothered to try to sell it, the charity shops would not sell that type of item and someone out there wants it. I hate throwing things away. Friends and family are always considered first, of course.
I have encountered some lovely people over the few years I have been a member.:D

emilyt

I have just joined my local freecycle group. I have a piece of furniture i want to give away. My problem is i have had so many responses how do you choose who to give the item to. I am really struggling with this and wish i had about 20 more of the same item.
Anyone give me some advice please.

RICK..._2

Emilyt: Just choose whoever you think genuinely needs the item, but don't feel pressured/bullied into giving it someone. If you can't narrow it down just put their names into a hat ;-)

I'm probably repeating what some people have already said, but i've found Freecycle to be mostly full of vultures. People must sit at their computers 24/7 waiting for people to put things up, nearly all of the ones in my area are gone as quick as they're listed.

Me and my OH have given away a hell of alot of stuff on there aswell, and nearly everytime someones just not bothered to turn up or if they do they don't say thanks or anything, just pretty much snatch it out your hands and drive off.

But saying that we have on a couple of occasions had some really nice items off people, especially toys for our daughter. Just a shame there's not more people that wait and give everyone a chance rather than just giving it to the first person that emails.

Wouldn't suprise me anyway if alot of them are just getting the items with some sob story, and selling them on a car boot or something.

robin_banks

ALways good to check freecycle usernames on ebay, I've come across a couple in my area.

Surfer

pennypuppy wrote: »

As an "owner"of a freecycle local board I agree the system is open to abuse but I wouldn't dream of it since I started it locally because of my genuinely held environmental worries.To me it would be tantamount to stealing which is plain wrong. I have appointed a moderator (we are only small) but would welcome any help offered. I think the main danger is traders using it to gather stock. For that reason it's best when offering something to not just give it to the first who responds but to perhaps someone who sounds genuine. Also, it's seems unfair that people who do not sit in front of a computer all day are not given a chance to take up an offer.
It is great when someone comes to collect something and you can see their genuine delight.:D

It is also a right pain when they do not bother to collect and do nto even have the decency to advise that they are not collecting. We have now adpoted "First come, first serve" and now no more waiting for people to collect.
Personally we don't give a hoot who takes it as either way it is being recycled!

caroll0605

Sorry, new to this, so if it's wrong don't shout at me. I have been using my local freecycle for about a year now. I initially joined to freecycle items we no longer wanted / needed when we redecorated our lounge and I was astounded by the response for items. I think it's brilliant - I can rid myself of items I no longer want or need, it costs me nothing to do so and I am helping the environment. If the person I chose can make money out of it, by carbooting or advertising, then good for them.

It is difficult to choose, and I usually pick a number.

The only thing that I have found annoying is having offered something to somebody you get no response - how long do you wait?? I offered something once and heard nothing, reoffered it only to receive and E Mail from them saying they wanted it and they had problems with their E Mail ...... and they were a moderator (sort it, I'd say).

If there is corruption then it lies after the good freecyclers have given their items away.

I have tried 2 wanted's with no success at all.

BURKEY_2

I have been using it for a few weeks because I have just come out of hospital after a year long illness which has now put me in a wheelchair aged 32, I have been moved to an unfurnished disabled flat and so have asked for help but so far nothing has came my way so I was becoming disillusioned and thinking profiteers are lurking on the site

Alan_Cross

I have found my local Freecycle group to be fantastic. I have managed not only to de-clutter the house and garage but also pick up some truly great free stuff.

The whole concept gets an enormous thumbs up from me.

The only gripe I have is that my group has a rule about a maximum 2 wanted ads per member per 30 days. I find having to wait for two weeks intensely annoying, given that I offer at least two to three times the number of items that I seek.

I'm beginning to wonder whether others are getting round this rule by creating multiple accounts... and, frankly, I would not blame them for doing so if their situation is akin to my own.

sarahg1969

Alan_Cross wrote: »

I

The only gripe I have is that my group has a rule about a maximum 2 wanted ads per member per 30 days. I find having to wait for two weeks intensely annoying, given that I offer at least two to three times the number of items that I seek.

Why would you need to ask for more than two items per month?