Do you FreeCycle?

[auntAgonist]

I've given away lots of clothing and stuff we just don't need anymore.
Do you freecycle? What is your experience with it?

aA

[RebelOne]

1. Yes, I have gotten rid of some old Vegetarian Times magazines

that I could not bear to throw away. And I found a new home for a bird cage. My parakeet died and I just didn't want any more birds, so I stuck the cage in the garage. Then I saw someone looking for a large bird cage to house some orphaned baby squirrels. And I got an over-the-door shoe rack. I was going to buy one, until I saw someone giving it away FreeCycle, so I saved some money by getting it for free.

[auntAgonist]

3. I'm amazed at what is taken

and what people are looking for. Someone locally asked "as a long shot" for an outboard motor for their boat that they had received from another freecycler. They got one!

I always feel so bad when I offer things like winter coats (didn't realize just how many I'd kept over the years) and I get so many responses, some with sad stories behind them. I always wish I had one for every one in need.

aA

[eyesroll]

2. I do...my experience is mixed.

I've given away a microwave cart and a printer and some clothing to good results, even though I had to deal with no-shows.

I've accepted some shoes that were nothing like the descriptions (the ad said there were three pairs of ladies 7.5 shoes; there were 5 pairs of ladies shoes, sizes 6 to 9).

Still, it is a great way to get rid of stuff you don't need, especially if you don't have enough stuff to justify a rummage sale.

[rug]

13. Well, the shoes averaged out to 7.5.

[LeftyMom]

4. I've given away a lot

I haven't picked up nearly as much. Eventually the list got tooo big to keep up with, so I use the free page on CL now instead.

[auntAgonist]

5. some days my gmail box

is crammed full, I just delete everything after doing a quick scan for items marked WANTED. I may have something someone can use.

all in all it's a pretty good concept.

I just wish that some people would format their requests and offers a little better and not use online shortcuts for words.

ie: need back pack u have 1? will p/u at ur convenience. tks in advance.

and often times the spelling is terrible.

I guess maybe I'm too picky :) :shrug:

aA

[LeftyMom]

6. When I get multiple emails I now respond to well written polite ones

rather than the first recieved. I think it makes more sense to reward thoughtful people.

[auntAgonist]

7. I agree!

:) :hug:

[samsingh]

8. nope

[auntAgonist]

9. It's a great way to get rid of stuff you no longer need.

One man's trash and all that.

aA

[samsingh]

12. what's the best way to start?

[auntAgonist]

14. yahoo groups has many

freecycle groups that are area specific.

to find your area or closest group start here.

http://groups.yahoo.com/search?query=freecycle&submit=Search

or to narrow it down for instance I looked for freecycle Michigan and got this.

http://groups.yahoo.com/search?query=freecycle+michigan&submit=Search

If I can help you just let me know.

aA

[BigMcLargehuge]

10. the Mrs. and I are pretty active

in our freecycle group.

People give away a lot of actual garbage though.

[ikojo]

11. I did last year when I was preparing to move

I found that people were good about picking up the stuff. That's all I cared about.

[bleedingheart]

15. yes...I give away children's books, children's clothes...

old computers, old printers...books I don't want to read anymore.

Hell..I separate and divide plants and give them away...some of which are perennials that would go for $10/piece at garden centers...

[Nicole]

16. Yes I do

I've given away furniture, computer, printer and clothes.
I've never requested or received anything. I'm looking to rid myself of excess stuff, not pick up more.

I'm about ready to give up on it though. I'm tired of the no shows. It will be easier to just drop it off at Goodwill & be done with it.

[LeftyMom]

18. That's my experience

As a result I mostly list stuff that's a pain to transport or an obscure interest that might not find a home if I drop it off at Goodwill. Random bags of clothes and household stuff it's easier to donate.

[Nicole]

19. Good idea

on listing the stuff that's a pain to transport.

I called Goodwill & they said they will pick up furniture or large appliance items.

[Rabrrrrrr]

17. My experience: mostly illiterate, rude, clueless ignorant savages.

But, I do freecycle and I've gotten rid of a lot of stuff so far. I've not gotten anything from it yet, but mostly that's cuz I'm not really in it to get something since I have most everything already anyway.

But I am constantly shocked at the vast number of people who can't spell, punctuate, construct a sentence, or make it seem like they're human beings at all.

Not to mention the amount of rude fuckers who email back when I offer something with all the thankful, polite rhetoric "I'll take it!" or "Call me". Assholes.

So, it's my policy that when I have something to give away, I only give it to polite people. Which sometimes takes a while.

[auntAgonist]

20. I have had the same experiences

and the no shows. I find it hard to sift through the emails that are so blatantly demanding too.
I had a christmas tree and ornaments complete with lights. A lady wrote a very long letter telling me about her and her children, how they haven't had a christmas tree ever. Her husband had passed away leaving her with 4 children. They had no money for extras and each year the children drew a picture of a tree on a long paper table cloth and hung it on a door. Broke my heart and I gave her the tree. I thought for a minute that I'd been suckered, soft hearted me. Two weeks later just before christmas she sent me a photograph of the kids by the tree I'd given them and over to the side of the photo was the paper 'tree' they'd prepared before receiving the freecycled one. I felt good.

For the most part I am pleased that so many DO freecycle. There should be a manners manual though :)


:hi:
aA