Why free cycle is a waste of time

kjmpde

I have advertised decent stuff on free cycle but despite several replies nobody turns up. I have had this before so advertised the item elsewhere at a fee and sold it. I get angry that people have wasted my time as they don't even apologise. 

solidpro

I have enquired about decent stuff on free cycle but despite several replies nobody replies. I have had this before so looked the item elsewhere at a fee and got it. I get angry that people have wasted my time as they don't even apologise.

So I don't use Freecycle anymore. Life is great.

Rantband

If you are going to take the" Mick" out of a post make sure that your reply makes sense.

mimi1234

Most of my clients (social worker) use FC and have had lots of stuff they could not afford for free.  They all look at things on there regularly.  

I tried once to pass things on but no one responded so just took everything to the charity shop.  

Green_hopeful

We freecycle a lot and most of the people are genuinely nice and helpful but sometimes they struggle to get to our house to collect. I am mostly happy to drop items off. Or sometimes I will leave things out in a secure place for them. Good luck in the future and maybe you will find some takers that turn up. 

theoretica

I used to use freecycle, with mostly happy results, but haven't since I joined much more local facebook groups with a similar aim.  Everyone being in walking distance seems to help reduce people deciding it is too much bother after all.

SandyShores

I've used facebook marketplace before to advertise freebies and had some lovely people turn up for things.  But I have to say, you get so many messages and I have had the experience of someone not turning up, which is really annoying when they don't even message you.  I tend to advertise something at very low cost, rather than no cost now, or take it to the charity shop if I can.  

prowla

I've given and received items on Freecycle/Freegle and most people are genuine and pleasant.

I have had some people expecting me to do the legwork for them when I've offered laptops.

(I also had one or two suggesting I'm a scammer when offering some laptops I had to offload.)

I have had some no-shows too, so I make a note of them and check the list next time I'm offering items.

There are also some who are obvious traders, whom I generally put to the back of the queue ('cos I could sell the items myself).

I also tend to ignore the "Yeah, I'll have it" and "Give me your address to collect from." messages (a bit of manners doesn't do any harm), along with the "Is this still available" ones (are you asking out of interest or would you like the item).

When I request an item I try and ask for it politely and suggest a time when I can collect.

Oftentimes I don't get a reply when requesting something.

roddydogs

Use nextdoor or facebook.

fenwick458

I think the best way to make sure something gets used is to monetise it. making it free often means it gets wasted, or people will often waste your time.

knightstyle

I now avoid dealing with young, single parent females who want items I give away for free!  Yes some are fine and come when arranged but more are unreliable do not update when they do not turn up and then expect you to deliver.
Sorry if that upsets people but having given away lots of stuff that is my experience.