I missed out on a cash opportunity

[Frugal Nurse]

I don't know where to post this...

I have a little miff.

I was 'freecycle'ng' a lot of things. I had tried to sell- but no bites.
Oh boy!! you put it on 'freecycle dot com' or 'craiglist - free"... and the replies fly in.


I had a 7 year old intact clean couch - that neither child wanted in their apartments (kids! don't ask me to get you one now! you lost your opp)

Anyhow.... my point... In my freecycling experience, I noticed a consistant reply from the same people. I wondered.... what the heck? Are these people in need of EVERYTHING?

So, we gave the couch, a wing chair, and some other household items to one person.

They came buy as expected. DH was out in the yard and saw them pack the stuff in the pickup truck. Then saw him make a check on their list and look at the map (possibly for places to pickup other stuff?) !
DH and I wondered... these people must be your 'previous' trash pickers who then sell your stuff at a yardsale!

I was kind of miffed at that.

Why? well... had dh NOT pushed me to get rid of the stuff NOW rather than wait a few weeks --> a month until I could have a yardsale... I COULD HAVE THAT CASH!

oooooo make me so mad!

I blame it ALL on the husband.

there I feel better!

[knotme]

Your DH must be a clone of mine. He pushes to get rid of things and then kicks himself because...... He needed it now, not then.

He has made a few financial boo-boos for us.


I hope you feel better venting. makes me feel better when I vent.

[FrugalMomof3]

My DH is the opposite, he wants to keep everything and I just want it gone..... but I am the type of person to think I could always sell it at a yard sale but after some time I get tired of seeing it and up for grabs it goes, lol

I do however, know what you mean bout the moochers who seems to WANT everything which makes it unfair to those who REALLY need it, really pushes my buttons.

[emily_hope]

My DH is the opposite, he wants to keep everything and I just want it gone..... but I am the type of person to think I could always sell it at a yard sale but after some time I get tired of seeing it and up for grabs it goes, lol

Sounds exactly like me and my DH!

[Moor]

that is one of the reason's that i don't freecycle anymore. there was always those that responded and then i would find them placing those items on cheapcycle. pissed me off royally, let me tell you!
plus, i would respond, because of a need and they would give things to someone else and those items would end up on cheapcycle. or craigslist.
so i just quit both of those sites. now i just use craigslist.

[frugalfoster]

People who take, just for the sake of taking, make me sick. I never feel bad about giving something to someone who needs it, but if I know they have taken advantage of me, it really makes me mad! Too bad you couldn't have sold it at a yard sale.

[cissylu]

frugal Nurse that stink`s ! I dislike people like that! we don`t have those places , I give mine to people i know that need it.
or take to salvation army.
sorry you didn`t get to make cash.

[kaykwilts]

that is one of the reason's that i don't freecycle anymore. there was always those that responded and then i would find them placing those items on cheapcycle. pissed me off royally, let me tell you!
plus, i would respond, because of a need and they would give things to someone else and those items would end up on cheapcycle. or craigslist.
so i just quit both of those sites. now i just use craigslist.

That would tick me off too. Those people should be reported to the list owner. I think that is unethical behaviour. I don't know what can be done to prevent that sort of activity. I guess you could screen them really well to see if they really are going to use the item.

[Frugal Nurse]

speaking of reporting to the listmanager...
I remember there was a list that was kept by one of our moderators (at my insistance) that you could write them and tell them of 'no-shows'. You can then request this list as needed.

It's frustrating to hold it for someone who just doesn't show. no email to say.. there will be a delay or I don't want it.. just no show.

I was so mad once when I had a new package of size one diapers. It had been opened - but only a few were used because the baby was too big.

So.. I left them out for someone who wanted them - never came by and I waited until the next morning (just in case) and then the next eve (just in case) and being in New England's unpredictable weather, it rained and the diapers were ruined.

Arrrg!

Another frustration I had- driving to the house and the item is not there. GGrrrrrrrrrr!

Another frustration - I don't know how freecycle is elsewhere, but here, you just leave the item on your step, or by the mailbox with a name on it.
I have gone by to pick something up and the person comes out.... and has me come into their home to get it!
Come on! That isn't safe!

My listserv that suggests, it's not proper or polite to take free stuff and then sell it at your yardsale. But also says there 's no way to control that.

Yes, there is... don't freecycle like that. Give it to the Salvo or the local charities.

[Denvergirlie]

I seem to be in the minority on this one. If you want to give it away for free then give it away for free. What do you care? It's gone, out of your hands. Who cares if that person is going to turn around and make a profit? If they are savvy enough to sell it for a profit, then good for them. I would applaud the work ethic, not deride them for being savvy.

Last week I was given a table and 4 chairs. I didn't need them but the couple was moving and wanted to get rid of them, so we took them. We in turn wiped them down with a rag and spot cleaned the seats and sold the set for $25. The woman who purchsed it was going to do the same thing, she was going to reupholster the seats and do a bit of touch up staining and then sell it.

Our freecycle has the rule that you can't put the reason why you want something in a post or reply. It doesn't matter why a person wants something, they do and likewise it doesn't matter why you want to get rid of something, you just do.

I guess I really don't care about any of that. I have given away things that I knew I could make a profit on, but it wasn't worth my time and effort, so I gave it away.

Well that's my .02

[FrugalWitch]

I use Freecycle infrequently but I know what you mean about a handful of greedy people who always want everything, yet never list anything to give away.

When I post a freebie I wait until I have several replies asking for the item. I then go back and check if they have ever offered anything or if they seem to be perpetual mooches. I always choose someone who has pretty fair give and take. That's just the way I handle it. (I also make a point of offering something for every item I receive)

[itsahumanzoo]

We don't have a yard, so it's rather difficult to do a yard sale. When I do post stuff up for grabs I usually get tons of emails. Then I go through and decide who I think is genuine, and I definitely pass up the ones that email me every single time I put something up for offer.

On the other end, it seems like any time I see something I really need or could use, no matter how fast I reply it's already taken. Someone must sit there all day and refresh refresh refresh and grab it up!

[KimmieSC]

I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with FreeCycle! We have been blessed to get a few great things there...Most recently some nice seat covers for my DH's car and a food dehydrator (which we are using and loving the banana chips and peach snacks). We are also getting a new kitty this weekend from someone on FC! Our precious Bebe LaRue is a FC kitty too!

I'm not sure how I feel about folks that get things on FC just to sell them - I guess they can do whatever they want with it, but it just doesn't seem right!

There is one person on my local FC group that posts "wanted:" all the time for metal stuff...like non-working appliances, rusty siding, just about anything metal. They say it is for a "project", but I'm thinking their project might be a trip to the local scrap metal place, where they pay pretty well for that kind of thing!

Either way, it's been a great way for me to find new homes for stuff that still has life in it and keep it out of the landfill.

When I go to pick something up, I always set a time when my DH can go with me, and if someone is coming to get something at our house, I just leave it on the porch for them. So far, I've been lucky to have no "no-shows" - That would be annoying! Anyway, I've said my piece...or is that peace?...so I better hush now!

Blessings,

[mikandmari]

I'm with Denvergirlie on this one. It's out of your way, and you didn't have to haul it anywhere.

If you had had a yard sale, chances are good that this man (or another 'dealer') would have been the first one to show up, ready to pay a little cash for the sofa.

Many of these people rent space in resale shops. I think they are an asset to the community... believe me, they aren't making much money. And it's very possible that the person who would buy your sofa from him will be low-income -- someone who never heard of freecycle, because they can't afford internet service.

So just think of this guy as the middleman!

I like shopping at resale places, and when I was a young mother I had no choice. I appreciated that these people did the leg work of cruising the yard sales and ads for me. I never minded paying a few $$$ to them.

[alarosalpn]

I freecycle here in Ct and I NEVER take anything I don't need or want. If I pick something up and decide that I don't like it, I put it back up on freecycle..
I agree in a way that once you have it you should be able to do what you want with it, however... The purpose of freecycle is for people who need or could use it...
I just picked up a really cute barn bird feeder, a bag of books for my son, and bathroom faucet handles from freecyclers today!
I was supposed to pick up on Monday but my computer crashed and I had no way of getting ahold of them! So, as soon as I was able to get a loaner while mine gets fixed I emailed them and explained what happened! All of them were fine with it and we made other arrangements for pick up.
Most people are understanding and will hold an item if something comes up.. Example: I was supposed to go a few towns over to pick up a bunch of fabric and sewing stuff Monday-computer was crashed, emailed when I got the loaner computer and asked if today was ok, Then tuesday my boss asked if I could work today. I emailed her again and explained that I was asked to work, could I pick up after work or any other day.. I'm going tomorrow to pick them up! She was totally understanding and willing to rearrange pick up.
I had one guy who had posted a 'wanted' for working or not lawn mowers... I emailed him and we emailed several times for the pick up.. He even gave me his cell # and I gave mine in case something came up. NO SHOW! I called and no answer. UGH! That is frustrating!
Sorry, long rant!
On with the show!