Freecycle. They said please so they got the item.

Voyager2002

missyg wrote: »

Just as a quick experiment I did a search for the word "please" in the freecycle folder I keep for people who have asked for my stuff.

278 messages had the word "please" out of 342 messages, so that's not too bad!

It is possible to be polite without using the word 'please'.

When I respond to a Freecycle offer, I begin by thanking the person for offering the item; say that I would love to have it; and include a sentence about how I would use it. Usually I never hear again.

missyg_3

Voyager 2002, I agree and I don't only look for the "please", a thank you is just as good in a polite message. My items go to people who construct their replies just like yours.

I try to pick people who sound really keen, in the hope that they won't mess me about when it comes to collection. The majority of collectors have been absolutely great, but it's a shame there are a few that spoil it.

Have others on here responded to wanted notices, only to be completely ignored?

debulition

missyg wrote: »

Have others on here responded to wanted notices, only to be completely ignored?

Yes, I once responded to a wanted message for a black metal double bed. I emailed to say that I had a barely-used, *silver* metal double bed that she was welcome to collect.

She never bothered to reply. Clearly a free silver bed didn't fit in with her colour scheme.

System

I decided to compose what I thought was a constructive email to our local freecycle group, outlining my experiences which reflected much of what has been submitted here. Because I could not find a direct link to them, I allowed it to go through as though I was offering something, knowing that they (the mods) would get it.

A return email said my post had been denied because it was neither an offer or wanted, which clearly it wasn't. I was told that if I had any complaint to contact the mods. (lol). They were more concerned in telling me the site was to prevent landfill, nothing more!!!

I hope that they have now understood that all I was doing was to bring to their attention the way some people respond when we offer things and why it pees us off when common courtesies are ignored.

System

and in return they sent me this:-

"It says at the end of every single email sent from the
group how to contact the moderators.

It also states quite clearly on the front page of the
group: "Contact the Moderators with any questions,
complaints or improvement ideas - click here".

Finally, it also says within the group guidelines how
to contact the moderators.
What others think of Freecycle is of no concern to me.

The group has had over 14000 messages since it
started, the majority of which contain offers of, or
requests for, items which others no longer have use
for. These items have been given a new, useful, home
with another recipient - job done.

I will not concern myself with petty nonsense that
people post on the internet and I certainly do not
believe everything I read. All I have to go on is my
own personal experience and I have managed to rehome
many, many items with grateful recipients - as such,
the group has fulfilled it's task by saving still
usable items from landfill.

That's all I expect.
Merry Christmas
******
Group Moderator

davkt

HugoSP wrote: »

Whilst I agree with your second statement, I don't agree with your first.

IMO a wanted ad on freecycle can say "I can make use of this item and stop it going into landfill."

Exactly!!!!
My recent wanted ads on freecycle have been for empty beer bottles and jam jars for my hedgerow produce of the autumn! Far better than even recycling is reuse!
If you don't like the way freecycle works no one is forcing you to use it. All the groups operate under some very stringent rules and there is very little local flexibility. I moderate 2 and it is LOTS of work! All the moderators of all the groups are doing their best to offer a useful service to their membership
Someone mentioned animals on freecycle, that is a decision that will have taken ages to reach and will have considered the nature of the area covered (generally more common in rural areas) the availability of other rehoming services and there will be a dedicated moderator keeping a close eye on pet offers, along with a whole of extra rules the group is now offered under!
Someone commented they had a thank you sent to the group, your mods must have let that through by accident, under the rules all that is allowed on the groups is offered, wanted, taken (if you posted an offer) or received (if you posted a want). Seems a bit harsh to some that thanks can't be made on the group but even with our smallish groups the volume of taken and received messages means a thanks in even a fraction of cases would have folks complaining about their inboxes getting clogged!
Cheers
David

LouLou

I'm brand new to the Freecycle Glasgow group. I posted four items of furniture seperately recently, and got one Thanks in reply afterwards, not that I'm complaining. It was a nice surprise to get one!

I was a bit taken aback with the onslaught of begging emails and desperate tales of woe. Being a cynical sort I didn't know what to do for the best. So I cc'ed everyone and said, First to reply gets it.

I've only replied to one "Offered" post (a tiger print sofa)! and said in my email "I hope you will consider me, please." I considered putting a background story but you feel like it's all lies, so kept it simple.

DenBo_4

I just got rid of a large colour tv, with no scart socket, and had several replies. The person who sounded most desperate I offered it to, but they never bothered to reply. I offered it to the next nice sounding person, who collected the tv after work and gave me a thank you card at the same time. She was lovely and shows how freecycle can work. I always give stuff to the nicest sounding person first if I can, "I'll have it" always makes me think "no you bludy won't!"

UKJubilee_2

when I offer things (and I have offered a lot after I was left in charge of clearing 2 properties after a death), I don't expect a please but do expect the email to be polite, not demanding, expecting me to call them and more then a single line on the lines 'I'll take it'. Most people have emailed me to say thankyou if I didn't see them in person but have had a few rude people too.

Also noticed one chap who has had LOADS of me and I can't imagine he needed it all so I reckon he's selling it on (so have started ignoring his requests!).

I think Freecycle is a great concept, has saved me loads of trips to the tip to throw away perfectly good things and I think wanted's are fair enough although they should be realistic not asking for Wii's or Nintendo DS's (and I have seen both) which is just being silly.

KathrynPenguin

I've never said please as it just doesn't read correctly to me. I always reply saying "I'd really like this if you still have it and if I am lucky I can collect xxxxx. Thank you."

I think that reads well, is informative and polite. The one time I subsequently found I could't collect at the agreed time I emailed and said "sorry I can't make it please offer this to someone else."

I always thank in person or by email if I don't see them.

The only time I get no shows is when the items are going to men, our house can be difficult to find and men will drive up and down the road cos they dont' bring the phone number and then they give up. Women ALWAYS bring the phone number (I tell everyone to in case they get lost!) and call if they can't find us. I've given away loads and loads of stuff before and after I moved house - some if it was the highly prized things like lawnmowers etc and I always choose someone who is genuine and polite - NEVER anyone with a sob story.

I have messenger running and often reply by return as often that is the best way to "win" the offered stuff but although I both Ebay and boot sale I don't take freecycle stuff for either. However if I freecycled something and down the line I no longer used it I might ebay or bootsale it if I thought it was worthwhile doing. I do see people give away things that I think would sell well.