Freecycle

Sassinak · Freecycle

Is it me being picky?
or has anyone else noticed the silly little things that get put on freecycle - to be collected.
I noticed last night that someone offred a 1 litre plastic jug - £1ish at the supermarket - yes I know that defeats the object, but is probably a lot more environmentally friendly than spending lots of petrol to collect a free one !

Am I missing the point somewhere??

Ina

That kind of thing would only make sense if you happened to live next door... Which freecycle group was that on?

wildgarlic

I also notice things like this Sass... and the wanted ads... I sometimes feel like replying and saying you could pick one up for under a fiver at your local shop! I did reply once to someone in Aberdeen asking for a plastic toilet step up stool for a child... as I'd just bought one myself in the pound shop in Aberdeen!

It would be better to put some items into the local charity shop than on freecycle if people are trekking half way across the shire to collect.

Ina

Might make sense if you live in a densely populated area - but you certainly won't catch me driving 30 miles for just about anything! OK, furniture etc would be worth the distance...

IainC

Kelly

Some of the ppl on freecycle can be a little erm..wrong...as well, when I put up a wanted I always stipulate LOCAL to me (between huntley and Inverurie, as we are @ these areas often) but ppl will message me from as far as Banchory and Peterhead and act like Im ungreatful for refusing there item lol.... as my OH puts it...if its going to cost you that much in fuel you may as well drive into aberdeen and buy the item there.

I've also had ppl asking me to post stuff, then getting funny because I refuse..again..if its too far for you DONT ANSWER THE AD!!

HOWEVER...
I have recived....
*A fantastic sofa bed
*An electric lawnmower
*A whole bathroom (waiting to be plumbed in)

Its just a case of pick and choose....although I refuse to accept white goods after a disspointing dishwasher incident...note ..yr meant to be helping ppl ..not saving yr self a trip to the dump with a broken dishwasher ..grrrrrrrrr

Villagefarm

Agreed, there are some people with strange ideas on Freecycle. We posted a babywalker (which incidentally we bought a couple of months ago at Thainstone for £2) - we told one person they could have it, they emailed back saying thanks, we emailed address etc (had put location in original post) - he then emailed back saying he was very busy and was going on holiday soon, so unless we could deliver to Aberdeen, he wouldn't be able to take it! It eventually went to a very nice Neep!

However, there are also an awful lot of nice, genuine people. We have started a massive clear-out, and have therefore been posting loads of stuff on Freecycle.

This time (unfortunately not the norm!), everyone who was collecting stuff turned up when they said they would - we also got a very nice jar of homemade chutney from the people we gave a sofa bed to (assuming it's the same Kelly!), some chocolates from one lady, and some home-made flapjacks from someone else - the kids think Freecycle is ace.

Fia

If it wasn't for Freecycle I wouldn't be on this forum.

In all walks of life there will be nice genuine people. And there will be folk who just haven't really understood. Although some folk on Freecycle chance their luck, it is hugely heartwarming to give, exchange and receive.

Villagefarm's kids are right - it is ace, and wonderful that next generations are taking it to heart.

Welly

I agree that freecycle is fantastic. We've given away some good stuff, and got some good stuff in return.

As people have said, it really is a case of picking and choosing.

For example, I would never accept something like a shed that needs to be dismantled by the collector, or a tv that is broken but could be repaired by someone who know's what they're doing. I'm sure most are quite genuine about this kind of thing, but I do sometimes get the impression that some folks just can't be bothered to take stuff to their local rubbish tip for safe disposal

If I were to level a couple of small criticisms, they would be that many posters don't put the locality of the item on offer, and that others make a big deal about wanting to 'select the most deserving recipient'.

If you're giving something away, what does it matter who gets it if it will avoid stuff going into landfill? I suppose if its your stuff, you should be able to please yourself

Welly

wildgarlic

We've given and received on Freecycle. I haven't used it much lately and in fact have given up on the Aberdeen one because mostly the things are way out of area, and unless we are already going into Aberdeen it would be crazy to drive 35 miles or so to pick something up on a special trip.

We still use the Aberdeenshire West one from time to time though.

lor138

wildgarlic

Thanks Lorna - very kind... and actually that's a really good idea. If one of the Neepsters is in a particular area we could help each other out and pick things up and then distribute at a neeps meet or something.

Villagefarm

Likewise us, anything that needs picked up in Kemnay/Kintore/Inverurie, would be more than happy to, then could be picked up from here or dropped off next time someone is going in the right direction!

lor138

Yes, i should extend that to all really!
If we can pick up in Aberdeen or on the Kemnay road to Aberdeen, then we will.

Smooth Hound

spect youll love that dave

but in all seriousness

ive got a van , i get about, so as long as it doesnt cost me :oops: just cant afford it

but im quite happy to pick things up enroute so to speak, as long as tghere not heavy to lift

im not risking my back

wildgarlic

Good point... fuel is expensive, and backs are, well irreplaceable.

Kelly

This time (unfortunately not the norm!), everyone who was collecting stuff turned up when they said they would - we also got a very nice jar of homemade chutney from the people we gave a sofa bed to (assuming it's the same Kelly!), some chocolates from one lady, and some home-made flapjacks from someone else - the kids think Freecycle is ace.

LOL..Hi Village farm!!

Forget-me-Not · The most deserving cause issue.

That bugs me too!

When we are 'offering,' we've always given first come first serve, or second if falls through. Surely thats fair.

Similarly if I'm too late for a wanted and it's gone, that's just tough, should have looked more often.

This isn't a power thing, it's a helping out and stopping landfill thing.

wildgarlic

You do get some people that just pounce on every offer going though, but it is awfully hard to make a decision as to who is more worthy, don't you think?

Kelly

*forgot to mention dining chairs I also got from a frecycl-er :oops: *

How can you decide who is more worthy???
Its all stuff you want gone, I usually do a first come first served as well, its seems as fair as anyway.

If its something you need badly you put a wanted up

IainC

Have never given something away on Freecycle before but I think I'd either be giving it to the first person who responded or maybe wait until the end of that day and find who was closest/easiest for picking up, etc.

Forget-me-Not · Who's worthy

Hi,

I never thought of the 'always wanting people.' I agree, sometimes you think that these people rely on freecycle for heir whole house.

Beth

zombiecazz

Personally I couldn't give two hoots who I give my stuff too. I wouldn't be giving it away if it was useful to me and if they want to sell it on then good for them because I couldn't be bothered to do so.
As long as it's not in landfil then all the better, plus I have managed to get a few items that I couldn't justify the money to buy.

I absolutely adore Freecycle. I got a dining tabel and chairs the other day and was so pleased. The mattress I got from Andy was so much better than mine (thanks again Andy) and even better someone actually wanted my old one for unexpected house guests.

Long live Freecycle!!!!

Kelly

Totally agree with zombiecazz, some ppl get hung up on giving to the worthiest cause..but how do you know who's spinning a sob story..the cause most worthy may not be the most eloquent

And if someone makes some money out of it again, YOU didn't bother selling it so why not let them

So long as ppl don't take the mick I don't see the problem...again better than the bin

zombiecazz

Oh yes forgot to mention I got my lovely cat from Freecycle too. She's adorable and I first met her when she was a kitten and I was picking up stuff from her garden through freecycle

boxie quine

I signed up for freecycle and couldn't log on so tried again with another user name and still can't log on but keep getting all their lists which are useless if you cannot reply to them.
I have a 2 seater, drop arm, neutral colour sofa that makes in to a good size single bed which is uprighted in my kitchen and have to maneuvre round it, that I wanted to give away, but I am still stuck with it. Anyone want it?

PurpleDragon

I was giving stuff away on FreeCycle and when I got lots of replies, I asked who could pick it up first. When I got back to everyone to say that the quickest to collect got it, I got a really nasty email back saying I had promised it, but then given it to someone else.

I haven't ofered anything since.

Ina

baldowrie

PD I had a similar thing on the Dundee one. I offered a couple of awnings which all went and I told one person this but had one I was going to advertise locally and sell. They asked the price and all about it then made a complaint to the mod that I had no free awnings and was selling. The Mod on there instead of asking me about it choose to send me a very strong and unpleasant warning email and how I was breaking the rules etc . I challenged her and the email she received had been doctored to sound like I was breaking the rules. I then blasted her out for sending out nasty emails without finding out all all the facts then left the group. I also informed all those who were coming to pick up the awning what she had done...they blasted her out too!

Also on that site I was giving away some broken computers, old ones. I choose who to give them to and received several REALLY nasty emails from those that didn't get them about how selfish I was etc....Erm I can give these to to whom I want!

Dundee group is all wants, wants, wants and give me, give me ,give me.

The Perth group is completely different and my offers and wants aren't even regulated...just go straight through.

wildgarlic

Unfortunately for all the good people that use freecycle well, there are probably 10 times as many that are out for themselves and grab, grab, grab.

I left the Aberdeen group because I was fed up of the wants but I do still get the emails from the Aberdeenshire West group - much quieter, and ok I may miss out on somethings that would be useful to me, but then if they are way out in Aberdeen I'd not easily be able to collect... and the same with offering stuff.

Your sofa sounds great Boxie - I wish I could find space for it! I'm decluttering here as I'm tired of falling over things. You could try contacting the admin for the group and ask her to change your settings so that you receive the individual emails rather than the list and then you can just reply to the emails/post via email.

jaydee67

Ok - here's one for you more seasoned freecyclers. I advertised windows free on Shetland freecycle - old porch, intended to be a greenhouse but never got there. Decided it would be first come first served. Guy said great, he would phone me. A week later I sent him an email, he said sorry, been busy will phone you, please keep them. Still no call, but other people want them. Suggestions?

Fia

I would suggest you email him saying others wanted them too, and politely state if he's not collected by the umpteenth of octembriay they will go elsewhere. And send a email to the other interested parties saying they may still be available and are they still interested.

Freecycle when it works well is brilliant. There's always folk in every walk of life who take and don't give. To my mind it's worth it for the folk who do take the concept seriously.

Hope it's resolved soon for you jaydee

Freecycle

The most deserving cause issue.

Who's worthy