Freecycle

[Marseeya]

Ya'll are going to think I'm just a big old scrooge or something for posting this, especially after my "everybody has their hands out" thread.

Have any of you heard of Freecycle? It's an e-mail list where people from the same area will offer up items to give away or trade. Occasionally, people will be looking for odd items and will post requests as well.

Well, the freecycle list I belong to is getting so out of hand with requests and I just wanted to share it with you. One guy asked for a car. Another guy wanted a PS2 for his son because he couldn't afford to buy one (how can he afford the games anyway?). Other people are wanting furniture, major appliances and whatnot, but in a way those seem to be more acceptable because so many people are often offering them most of the time anyway.

And here's part of an e-mail that I just couldn't believe. Several people quit the list over this one and the list moderator had to put a temporary moratorium on requests:

Hi, i am needing help with CHRISTmas gifts for my children, a boy age
5 months and a girl age 3 years. The boy is in need of sleepers, tee
shirts and socks size 18 months. The girl is in need of winter
clothing,socks and tee shirts size 3T, also underwear size 5T, shoes
or winter boots size 6 1/2 to 7 toddler and a snowsuit size 3T. Any
toys will be appreciated also. Also mens pants size 36-30's, mens
shirts size large, womens pants size 14, womens shirts size medium.
Also would like to surprise husband with Washington Redskins tickets,
he is a huge fan but we are low income and have not the funds to buy
tickets. Thank You and God Bless everyone in this CHRISTmas season.
And always remember, Jesus is the Reason for the Season!!!


Clothes for kids -- check.
Toys for kids -- check.
Clothes for Mama -- check.
Clothes for Daddy -- check.
Redskins tickets for Daddy --

(Note: we're not THAT close to Washington)

Jesus is the reason, indeed.

I wonder how well it would go over if I asked the list for donations for a trip to WDW???

 

[monkeyboy]

I need...<edited by DIS mods>

Can I list it as such?

 

[chell]

A 5 month old wearing 18 month old clothes? The 3 year old wearing 3T clothes but 5T underwear? Is that even normal?

I am on the local one here but have stopped reading lately because it has gotten out of hand. Maybe after Christmas it will calm back down. I can't believe the nerve of some people.

MonkeyBoy I sure would have loved to see what you had posted, but I guess I wasn't quick enough. Dang!

 

[staci]

Wow thats nuts, I belong to our freecycle. Usually everyone stays under control here

We did have one person post a request for specific christmas presents and such, but it was quickly posted by the group leader the guidelines of the forum.

I love freecycle. We were able to give up a mower that broke that dh had no idea how to repair, and we got ds an older swingset off of there.

 

[ilovedale3]

The same type of thing happened on our local Freecycle. The mods there got so fed up that they also put a halt to all requests. Now it is just offers only.

 

[PaulaSue]

Yep, we have a ton of them here for each city and the requests are just as BOLD. I gave up and stopped going there months ago now I just donate extras to church and go yard saling more.

 

[HayGan]

I quit using our local ones for many of the same reasons. There were always several outrageous requests every week. I gave a bunch of things to different people but very rarely even got a thank you (and I mean a verbal one!)

I hardly even open the daily e-mails that I get anymore. Sad that people take something so good and destroy it with greed!

 

[MScott1851]

I just joined our local group. I posted to get RID of stuff, not get stuff.

I have had a set of king-sized sheets that I only slept on once sitting in my linen closet for three years. Come Friday, those suckers are going to a lady who is transplanted in Memphis from N.O. after Katrina.

 

[laurie31]

I just joined our local group. I posted to get RID of stuff, not get stuff.

Me, too! I don't even read the requests. I went on "no mail." If I have something to offer, then I post that from the website.

Laurie

 

[Keli]

I wish ours would only allow offers too, because the requests are way out of line. Most days there will be several requests and maybe one or two offers. Somestimes I think it should be called beggingcycle instead of freecycle. I've only posted when I have things to give away. So far there's never been anything offered that I really need.

 

[Marseeya]

I'm so glad I'm not the only one who has noticed this!

There have been a lot of requests that I think are pretty within the boundaries -- like babyfood jars for crafts, someone asked for yarn, another person asked for old magazines.

Then there's the next level that's kind of iffy -- the person needs a wood heater because they have no gas. Someone wants an old washer because theirs broke. Another wants a twin mattress for a kid. Well, people are giving those away quite a bit, so they don't seem to be as pushy.

But then the football tickets? PS2? A car???

Who's your daddy?

 

[Cindy B]

Ours only allows requests once a week by one person. If you request more than once a week you are warned then booted.

The requests I have seen are within guidelines.. a small microwave, boxspring, or stuff like smaller size snow pants. There is nothing unreasonable like a car or a PS2!

 

[aprild]

Here's our latest!!


I am in need of a temporary transportation fix. i have alot of appts.
ect due to my kids and myself as well as being able to get to the
store ect.....If you have a vehicle that isnt in use and you dont need
it or wouldnt mind lending it (i know that sounds crazy) until mine is
fixed, please e mail me Thanks and God Bless!

 

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

I need...<edited by DIS mods>

Can I list it as such?

Freecycle is much more for FREE ITEMS people don't need.

I think you might be better served by craigslist. And be sure to go to the right category, because you may get more than you bargained for!

 

[va32h]

My Freecycle had this problem over the summer (my favorite was the lady who asked for a motor home, because she and her family "just needed to get away").

I think a bunch of people must have been kicked off the list, because the Wanted posts are much more reasonable now.

I have offered lots of things - it gets frustrating though, when people don't pick up when they promise to, or make a face when they finally see their FREE item.

I did get into an argument with a Freecycler over an offer I made - I asked her to pick it up by a certain date. She replied that she couldn't, because she needed to wait until her brother could come with her - she had two daughters and didn't want to bring them to my home because "you can't be too careful - I'm sure you understand."

Well, I didn't really. I was insulted, actually. This was an item I would have left on the porch, so I would hardly be able to kidnap or molest her daughters or what have you, inasmuch as I wouldn't be anywhere near them. I also pointed out that I am also a mother, and maybe I didn't want some strange man coming to my house. And since I am the one who has to give out my address, I am really the one taking the most risk. And if you are terrified of interacting with strangers, maybe Freecycle just isn't for you!

So anyway, I still have this shelf sitting on my porch!

 

[BunsenH]

My DW has offered several items on the local Freecycle and has had very good experiences. Enthusiastic verbal and written thank-yous, fast pick-up, etc. I hope that our local board does not devolve into the corrupt mess that it appears some have become.

Freecycle is a wonderful, grass roots, helpful idea. Unfortunately that makes it ripe for exploitation.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I only give away stuff. I do not give request stuff to people. Maybe I should saunter over there???

I do have alot to get rid of. hmmm....

 

[pyrxtc]

well, I have given stuff away and received stuff too.

I did just do a post on my local one for presents for a friends who is down on her luck and the offers I have gotten are amazing. I was looking for things slighty used or "like new" and a lot of people directed me where to get her help and offered to get her stuf instead of picking a name off the tree. I don't think it's a bad thing to do this on there. My friends would not have a Christmas without the offereing of these people. Most people on there are good about what they ask for. Yes cars and other things like that are kind of out there but you never know what will come through.

I've seen some really amazing things get offered up on my local. I even saw a couple of woodstoves once.

 

[PrincessaC]

Here's one recently posted on mine....

Looking for anyone who may have an unwanted ipod. I have a teen that
is wanting one for christmas. So if you have a old one or one you don't use anymore
can you please let me know.

Thanks

 

[Marseeya]

Here's one recently posted on mine....

Looking for anyone who may have an unwanted ipod. I have a teen that
is wanting one for christmas. So if you have a old one or one you don't use anymore
can you please let me know.

Thanks

Darn, I knew I had one of those lying around here somewhere!