FreeCycle Rant

**Missy** · 01-12-2009, 10:23 PM

Anyone have this problem with their FreeCycle?

Earlier today I posted a Offer for my Water Cooler. Nothing special, cold water only. Older than time itse;f, but works like a champ. I didn't get one, but instead 5 replies to it, all wanting it. And more came in. I gave the first lady time to get it, but more and more people replied asking for it. I couldn't keep up with all the answering individuals. So I posted a "Promised" thread there, explaining there was alot of interest in it and if it fell through with the person who contacted me first I would keep the emails and go through the list till someone took it. No big deal I thought.

So far, so good right??

Wrong. I set off a barrage of emails to me telling me in essence what an idiot I am, I am not supposed to post PROMISED as per the fine print. Either OFFER or TAKEN. 8 emails all together THUS FAR. And one telling me if I continue to snub the rules I will be permanently banned. WTF??

2 of these responses to my heathen use of the PROMISED heading were from MODERATORS. The rest from other members who saw fit to have at me.

**Nishu** · 01-12-2009, 10:42 PM

Yeah there's a bunch of interesting folk on freecycle and craigslist. There's this one guy that travels around craigslist flagging everyone and then sending harassing emails that you can't reply to. My mom did the exact same thing as you with a hot tub and just edited it to show that it had been taken rather than email all the 150 that asked for it. Shortly after she was sent about 20 hateful emails telling her what an idiot she is and how she should have deleted it. Like the whole of interwebdom was going to come crashing down because she didn't delete her post. Yeah.

Try to get rid of a pile of dog poo and no one's going to give you hateful emails. They're just being sore losers. Tell them to go buy their own water cooler.

**KatieInLa2** · 01-12-2009, 10:42 PM

Our local freecycle squabble among themselves alot. Don't worry, just hit delete. Some people have no manners.

**annymoll** · 01-12-2009, 10:43 PM

Think of Miss RoseannRoseannadanna when you deal with people like this,"It's always SOMETHING."

**guest002** · 01-12-2009, 10:44 PM

Talk about people who don't have anything else to do with their life. My goodness get a life people! I mean you are helping them buy giving something away.

**fixer** · 01-12-2009, 10:59 PM

And to think people wonder why so much ends up in landfills.

**Wendy Mack** · 01-12-2009, 11:01 PM

ughh Good Lord!!! Do people have nothing else to do ???? You were just trying to let people know for goodness sake!!! I would say let it slide.. delete... delete.. delete!!!!!! Good Luck!!!

**MommyBliss** · 01-12-2009, 11:10 PM

Yes, this happens A LOT. It is just ridiculous.

**madhen** · 01-12-2009, 11:22 PM

Wow, that sucks. My FreeCycle groups are super nice, and my worst complaint are the ones that respond to EVERYTHING. The few flakes I have run across (say they want it, then don't show up), I just spam filter them, so I don't have to deal with them again.

One weird and slightly related thing I have found is that if I post an animal on PetFinder, I will get a dozen emails trying to scam me out of money (I guess, never quite sure WHAT they want). They always read something like, "I am very interested in your pet that you listed in PetFinder. Your pet would have a very good home with me, but I have some questions about your pet. I live in Nigeria and would like to have your pet flown to me..." and it just gets worse after that.

**djbout** · 01-12-2009, 11:22 PM

My local Freecycle allows "TT" posts ( Tentatively Taken). I see these almost everyday and noone is reprimanded! Was it your administrator that said you would be banned or other Freecyclers? Contact your administrator for further explanation. If need be I can always forward one of my Freecycle emails to further back your arguement!

**Missourimom** · 01-12-2009, 11:32 PM

This is just one of the many reasons I can't stand freecycle.

**Neeley** · 01-13-2009, 12:11 AM

Originally Posted by Missourimom

This is just one of the many reasons I can't stand freecycle.

Same here.

**Milly** · 01-13-2009, 12:25 AM

Does anyone know of any alternatives to FreeCycle? I had the same problem here the couple of times I offered stuff.

**Contrary Housewife** · 01-13-2009, 12:26 AM

I've had similar hassles. Items posted and claimed, but not picked up, and then the others on the list don't respond. I end up throwing out items that 16 people wanted a week earlier because none will show up to collect it.

And then a couple years ago I got "moderated" for listing some free coupons for stuff... because it wasn't a "real" item that would have gone to a landfill, it was just an online coupon. And their policy here is that once you are moderated you stay moderated forever. So I had to wait for someone to approve every single post I made, sometimes for 2-3 days before something would get listed.

When I found out I could not get "un" moderated I said goodbye. It was not worth the hassle.

We had some real gold diggers too, that just disgusted me. People asking for cars, must be in good working condition. People wanting entire furniture sets, tvs, and kitchen appliances for their newlywed teen kids. People asking for specific designer clothing. Ugh.

**jilly_beans** · 01-13-2009, 06:55 AM

I left Freecycle because of all of the above issues.
If your heading is not correct one time, you get moderated. Days go by and finally the post shows up. Rude people & moderators. I finally got feed up and left. SO, now I try to Craigslist or just donate it to Goodwill.