Choosing recipient from Freecycle?

[kkwis2]

I also go with the person from whom I get the best "feeling". Last week I offered a few things (had gotten away from it a bit) and recalled why I got away from it. Unfortunately, rude people just tend to ruin things for everyone. Rude responses make me crazy! But then I ended up having a very nice e-mail conversation with someone else who was very kind and appreciative so I guess I have to try to focus on the positive.

Anyway, our moderator has sent reminders that you can choose whomever you want - it's your stuff! BUT, she has also reminded the group that it is nice to wait a bit to give people a chance to respond. She has also said that when she has gotten quite a few responses she will have a lottery or pick a name out of a hat or something like that.

I just can't stand, though, people asking for something and never coming to pick it up. Drives me crazy!

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

I am new to freecycle and just posted my first "offer" today. I was horrified that it used my full name and changed that quickly on my yahoo profile - oops.

How can you look up if someone is only posting wanted or only taking things and not offering??

Any other tips? I know not to be home alone/let people in, etc. I have done craigslist. I donate tons, but I was just encouraged at getting rid of things quickly with this, and things that are too large to drive to the Goodwill, etc.

 

[QVCshopper]

After a very bad freecycle experience in which a woman claimed her house burnt down, canceled a few times, had a truck drive by our house slowly (furniture was in good shape outside our house), and we filed a police report, I would encourage you not to go with the sob story. If your house really burnt down, would you really be so picky?

I mostly stopped using freecycle after that. My poor DH was too forgiving; we should have gone on to the next person after the first time she canceled. Lesson learned.

Now, I just put it outside my house with a free sign; most things are gone by the end of the day.

 

[StephMK]

I base it on what's most convenient for me. If I'm in a hurry to clear it out, I might give it to the first person that provides a definite pick up time. Mostly, I go based on "feel" too. I hate the responses that just say, I want it or I'll take it off your hands. I like to get a sense of the person & like when they add a few personal thoughts in their reply. Maybe a brief plan for the item or why they need it. I know nothing's safe but it's nice to get a vague idea, especially if they are picking up from my house.

And I never give my address until there is a firm pick up time and date given by the person. A few times early on I gave my addy then the person never responded again and that bothered me.