Thread: Freecyclers suck

On Mon, 17 Sep 2012 23:19:45 -0500, zxcvbob wrote:

> Sqwertz wrote:
>> On Mon, 17 Sep 2012 23:23:37 -0400, Jean B. wrote:
>>
>>> zxcvbob wrote:
>>>> You list something and they pounce "I want it" as soon as the offer goes
>>>> out. But they sure don't get in any kind of hurry to come pick it up.
>>>>
>>>> Next time I give anything away I will say that I won't hold it for
>>>> anyone; the first "I want it" that actually *gets here* can have it.
>>> No, that approach REALLY sucks. Think of all the folks who are
>>> wasting time, gas etc. going to your place only to find nothing.
>>
>> Yes, exactly.
>
> If they don't want to waste their time, they can either hurry up and be
> the first one here, or skip it completely. If I'm upfront about "first
> come, first served" part, it's not my problem.

For somebody who really needs it and is sincere about picking it up,
that's a ****ed up way to advertise something. I would only ever do
that on my immediate neighborhood mailing list and it wouldn't be
something that two people are going to show up at the same time and
start fighting over, or somebody who rushed out of the house so fast
that they ran over a kid right outside their house.

Say it's a baby stroller for a couple who just had a newborn and has
to take the bus to your house.... for example. Sure, that's an
extreme example but it's the same principle no matter what the item.

Just throw it away if you're going to do that. Because for that one
lucky person who you just did a favor, you probably pissed off 5-20
other people.

Yes, it's something I feel strongly about.

> Otherwise I'm expected to wait around for days for them to finally get
> off there ass to collect something that I am giving away for free?
> (with several 'I'll be there in a couple of hours's that never
> materialize) I DON'T THINK SO. (Homey don't play dat)

Just tell them right up front that if they're not here at the
designated time then they don't get it. Use the aggression you're
showing here in your conversation with THEM.

-sw

On Mon, 17 Sep 2012 22:48:36 -0700, Julie Bove wrote:

> My nephew came over to do some work for me. I did ask him about the pears
> just in case his tastes had changed. They haven't. Now if it was a red
> delicious apple tree? That tree would be bare. I just don't know any pear
> lovers.

By the time any pears on my tree are ripe the deer have taken 95% of
them off the tree, taken one small bite or just put teeth marks in it
and left them in my yard or driveway. Every night they do that to 2-3
pears for 8 weeks. I don't have to worry about extra pears since
there's none left.

-sw

On Mon, 17 Sep 2012 22:48:36 -0700, "Julie Bove"
<[email protected]> wrote:



>My nephew came over to do some work for me. I did ask him about the pears
>just in case his tastes had changed. They haven't. Now if it was a red
>delicious apple tree? That tree would be bare. I just don't know any pear
>lovers.
>


Depends on the variety. A local orchard has Bosc pears that are out of
this world. Sweeter than candy. We get a couple of baskets every
season.

"Ed Pawlowski" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]..
> On Mon, 17 Sep 2012 22:48:36 -0700, "Julie Bove"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
>
>>My nephew came over to do some work for me. I did ask him about the pears
>>just in case his tastes had changed. They haven't. Now if it was a red
>>delicious apple tree? That tree would be bare. I just don't know any
>>pear
>>lovers.
>>
>
>
> Depends on the variety. A local orchard has Bosc pears that are out of
> this world. Sweeter than candy. We get a couple of baskets every
> season.

That could be. But... I don't know anyone here locally that really likes
pears. My former SIL does but she's in PA and I'm in WA. My dad will eat a
pear once in a while. That's about it.

My husband eats a lot of fruit but not usually pears. He will eat them once
in a while if they are cut up and mixed in with other fruit. Daughter will
eat a few once in a while but again they have to be cut up. If I never
bought pears, they would never notice. Now if I stopped buying apples? Oh
my they would shriek!

Pretty much everyone I know likes if not loves red delicious apples. They
may not eat any other fruit, but they eat those.

Sqwertz wrote:
> On Mon, 17 Sep 2012 23:19:45 -0500, zxcvbob wrote:
>
>> Sqwertz wrote:
>>> On Mon, 17 Sep 2012 23:23:37 -0400, Jean B. wrote:
>>>
>>>> zxcvbob wrote:
>>>>> You list something and they pounce "I want it" as soon as the offer goes
>>>>> out. But they sure don't get in any kind of hurry to come pick it up.
>>>>>
>>>>> Next time I give anything away I will say that I won't hold it for
>>>>> anyone; the first "I want it" that actually *gets here* can have it.
>>>> No, that approach REALLY sucks. Think of all the folks who are
>>>> wasting time, gas etc. going to your place only to find nothing.
>>> Yes, exactly.
>> If they don't want to waste their time, they can either hurry up and be
>> the first one here, or skip it completely. If I'm upfront about "first
>> come, first served" part, it's not my problem.
>
> For somebody who really needs it and is sincere about picking it up,
> that's a ****ed up way to advertise something. I would only ever do
> that on my immediate neighborhood mailing list and it wouldn't be
> something that two people are going to show up at the same time and
> start fighting over, or somebody who rushed out of the house so fast
> that they ran over a kid right outside their house.
>
> Say it's a baby stroller for a couple who just had a newborn and has
> to take the bus to your house.... for example. Sure, that's an
> extreme example but it's the same principle no matter what the item.
>
> Just throw it away if you're going to do that. Because for that one
> lucky person who you just did a favor, you probably pissed off 5-20
> other people.
>
> Yes, it's something I feel strongly about.
>
>> Otherwise I'm expected to wait around for days for them to finally get
>> off there ass to collect something that I am giving away for free?
>> (with several 'I'll be there in a couple of hours's that never
>> materialize) I DON'T THINK SO. (Homey don't play dat)
>
> Just tell them right up front that if they're not here at the
> designated time then they don't get it. Use the aggression you're
> showing here in your conversation with THEM.
>
> -sw


That's what I did last night. Sent a note to #2 saying that #1 hadn't
picked it up yet, and whichever one got here first could have it.
Copied #1 on the note. (both were sent with BCC so they couldn't see
who each other was) #2 picked it up within the half hour.

Bob

On Mon, 17 Sep 2012 23:19:45 -0500, zxcvbob wrote:

> If they don't want to waste their time, they can either hurry up and be
> the first one here, or skip it completely. If I'm upfront about "first
> come, first served" part, it's not my problem.
>
> Otherwise I'm expected to wait around for days for them to finally get
> off there ass to collect something that I am giving away for free?
> (with several 'I'll be there in a couple of hours's that never
> materialize) I DON'T THINK SO. (Homey don't play dat)

I just joined the local Freecycle group (was a member a long time ago)
and here is part of the email they just sent me telling me I'm
approved:

> 3. 'On the curb, come and get it' type posts are NOT allowed under any
> circumstances. If you post that a TV is on the curb by your house, for
> example, and 25 people stop by for it, 24 will go away disappointed
> (that is, if a passerby hasn't gotten there before any of them) and won't
> be feeling very well inclined towards you, to say the least. Transactions
> must be made between two individuals only.

Obviously a lot of people feel the same way I do.

-sw

Julie Bove <[email protected]> wrote:
> "Nunya Bidnits" <[email protected]> wrote in
> message news:k38kkl$k8d$[email protected]..
>> Julie Bove <[email protected]> wrote:
>>> "Nunya Bidnits" <[email protected]> wrote in
>>> message news:k37huj$vhu$[email protected]..
>>>> Julie Bove <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>>> Brooklyn1 wrote:
>>>>>> On Sun, 16 Sep 2012 00:44:30 GMT, "l, not -l" <[email protected]>
>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On 15-Sep-2012, Cheryl <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On 9/15/2012 7:35 PM, Kalmia wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Freecycle is one more system which sounds good on the surface,
>>>>>>>>> but can hold one over a barrel, so to speak. If I can't just
>>>>>>>>> donate something, I hang onto it. No creeps coming over etc.,
>>>>>>>>> phones ringing, rubber checks.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I don't post my phone number, and with "free"cycle, there are
>>>>>>>> never checks involved.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Same here; I don't post a phone number and I don't call any
>>>>>>> respondents. I have been using Freecycle and ReUseIt foe a few
>>>>>>> years, to give and to receive and rarely had more problems than
>>>>>>> the occasional no-show. St. Louisans may shoot each other over
>>>>>>> Dorritos and pork steaks/chops; but, seem to handle
>>>>>>> Freecycle/ReUseIt responsibly.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Why would you want total strangers to know where you live?
>>>>>
>>>>> Indeed! I was trying to figure out what to do with my excess
>>>>> pears. Looks like they are going into the yard waste bin unless
>>>>> perhaps I can get the guy down the street to trade me a few
>>>>> tomatoes for some. But... He has quite a few fruit trees of his
>>>>> own, so maybe not. Some people told me to advertise on Freecycle and
>>>>> the like. There
>>>>> have been sooo many robberies around here there is no way I would
>>>>> list my address. A bike was just stolen the other day.
>>>>>
>>>>> Another person told me to put a basket out on the street with a
>>>>> jar so people could put money in, on the honor system. I
>>>>> laughed. If anyone did bother to put money in, someone else
>>>>> would just steal it. And the pears? The teenaged hoodlums would
>>>>> likely just take them and throw them in other people's yards. I
>>>>> don't even care if I make
>>>>> anything off of them. I just want to get rid of them. And no,
>>>>> the food bank here won't take them. I did check. They only take
>>>>> produce from stores and farms.
>>>>
>>>> Try a different food bank. Around here Harvesters even has a
>>>> program "plant an extra row for Harvesters" and they most
>>>> definitely take fresh garden produce.
>>>>
>>>> Throwing away a bunch of perfectly good food is just dumb and
>>>> wasteful. You can easily find someone who wants and needs it if you
>>>> try just a little. That makes more sense than making up fictional
>>>> scenarios which prevent you from doing the right thing.
>>>>
>>>> MartyB
>>>
>>> None of the food banks around here will take it and nobody wants the
>>> pears. I've lived here since 2004. Can't get any takers except
>>> perhaps for a couple of them here or there.
>>
>> Then use freecycle.
>>
>> Hint You don't post your address. If someone responds who you want
>> to give the pears to, then you give that person only the address.
>> You tell them where to find them somewhere outside your house, and
>> they pick them up. Or you can arrange to drop them off at a neutral
>> place if you are really that paranoid. But then you would have to
>> see someone who might stalk you and go through your trash and and...
>> and... and... wait a second. You never need to see anyone. Try it,
>> you won't die and good fruit won't get thrown in the trash.
>>
>> Or just call a local church or two and you should find takers in no
>> time. No respectable church lady would turn down a bunch of fresh
>> baking fruit. HTH.
>
> But that would mean work for me.

Making a couple phone calls stresses you out due to excessive workload?
Really?

I don't cotton to picking the
> pears. Last time I did that, I was stung by a bee. At least I know
> now that I am no longer deathly allergic to bees.

So in fact, you never had any intention of picking or donating the pears.
You're just making noise. Sorry I wasted my time on it. Next time I'm
tempted to respond to you I'll just presume you're not sincere.

But do tell us, what is your excuse for posting to ask advice about a
problem you have no intention of dealing with in the first place? IMO,
that's pretty damned rude.

Just sayin'.

Jean B. <[email protected]> wrote:
> Brooklyn1 wrote:
>> On Sun, 16 Sep 2012 00:44:30 GMT, "l, not -l" <[email protected]>
>> wrote:
>>> On 15-Sep-2012, Cheryl <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>
>>>> On 9/15/2012 7:35 PM, Kalmia wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Freecycle is one more system which sounds good on the surface, but
>>>>> can hold one over a barrel, so to speak. If I can't just donate
>>>>> something, I hang onto it. No creeps coming over etc., phones
>>>>> ringing, rubber checks.
>>>>>
>>>> I don't post my phone number, and with "free"cycle, there are never
>>>> checks involved.
>>> Same here; I don't post a phone number and I don't call any
>>> respondents. I have been using Freecycle and ReUseIt foe a few
>>> years, to give and to receive and rarely had more problems than the
>>> occasional no-show. St. Louisans may shoot each other over
>>> Dorritos and pork steaks/chops; but, seem to handle
>>> Freecycle/ReUseIt responsibly.
>>
>> Why would you want total strangers to know where you live?
>
> Yeah. I have a problem with that.

Yeah, that's real sensitive intel there.

What is the big deal with this freecycle paranoia? So someone lives in the
house where they gave away some junk they didn't want any more on the side
of the road. What an amazing coincidence. After sneakily retrieving your
free offering from it's designated spot, which allowed them to see that
there is actually a house where you live, the nefarious recipient can then
go down the street and spy on other people by seeing their dogs, their cars,
and the weeds in their lawn. They might even take some items left out for
large item trash pickup without asking. They can go on a full blown crime
spree of getting free stuff, all the while actually seeing the places where
they are! Gasp! And the worst part is, no one would ever know it. Yet your
freecycling has enabled these foul villains. Be forewarned... you never know
when a nearby person might actually see their surroundings. Dastardly
indeed. And here's the really really scary part... they can do this even if
you don't give them anything on freecycle. The end is near! Run for your
lives! Run!

On Tue, 18 Sep 2012 13:00:56 -0500, "Nunya Bidnits"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>Jean B. <[email protected]> wrote:
>> Brooklyn1 wrote:
>>> On Sun, 16 Sep 2012 00:44:30 GMT, "l, not -l" <[email protected]>
>>> wrote:
>>>> On 15-Sep-2012, Cheryl <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> On 9/15/2012 7:35 PM, Kalmia wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Freecycle is one more system which sounds good on the surface, but
>>>>>> can hold one over a barrel, so to speak. If I can't just donate
>>>>>> something, I hang onto it. No creeps coming over etc., phones
>>>>>> ringing, rubber checks.
>>>>>>
>>>>> I don't post my phone number, and with "free"cycle, there are never
>>>>> checks involved.
>>>> Same here; I don't post a phone number and I don't call any
>>>> respondents. I have been using Freecycle and ReUseIt foe a few
>>>> years, to give and to receive and rarely had more problems than the
>>>> occasional no-show. St. Louisans may shoot each other over
>>>> Dorritos and pork steaks/chops; but, seem to handle
>>>> Freecycle/ReUseIt responsibly.
>>>
>>> Why would you want total strangers to know where you live?
>>
>> Yeah. I have a problem with that.
>
>Yeah, that's real sensitive intel there.
>
>What is the big deal with this freecycle paranoia? So someone lives in the
>house where they gave away some junk they didn't want any more on the side
>of the road. What an amazing coincidence. After sneakily retrieving your
>free offering from it's designated spot, which allowed them to see that
>there is actually a house where you live, the nefarious recipient can then
>go down the street and spy on other people by seeing their dogs, their cars,
>and the weeds in their lawn. They might even take some items left out for
>large item trash pickup without asking. They can go on a full blown crime
>spree of getting free stuff, all the while actually seeing the places where
>they are! Gasp! And the worst part is, no one would ever know it. Yet your
>freecycling has enabled these foul villains. Be forewarned... you never know
>when a nearby person might actually see their surroundings. Dastardly
>indeed. And here's the really really scary part... they can do this even if
>you don't give them anything on freecycle. The end is near! Run for your
>lives! Run!

Since you live in a carton under a bridge you'd never get it.

Nunya Bidnits wrote:
> Julie Bove <[email protected]> wrote:
>> "Nunya Bidnits" <[email protected]> wrote in
>> message news:k38kkl$k8d$[email protected]..
>>> Julie Bove <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>> "Nunya Bidnits" <[email protected]> wrote in
>>>> message news:k37huj$vhu$[email protected]..
>>>>> Julie Bove <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>>>> Brooklyn1 wrote:
>>>>>>> On Sun, 16 Sep 2012 00:44:30 GMT, "l, not -l" <[email protected]>
>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On 15-Sep-2012, Cheryl <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On 9/15/2012 7:35 PM, Kalmia wrote:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Freecycle is one more system which sounds good on the
>>>>>>>>>> surface, but can hold one over a barrel, so to speak. If I
>>>>>>>>>> can't just donate something, I hang onto it. No creeps
>>>>>>>>>> coming over etc., phones ringing, rubber checks.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> I don't post my phone number, and with "free"cycle, there are
>>>>>>>>> never checks involved.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Same here; I don't post a phone number and I don't call any
>>>>>>>> respondents. I have been using Freecycle and ReUseIt foe a
>>>>>>>> few years, to give and to receive and rarely had more problems
>>>>>>>> than the occasional no-show. St. Louisans may shoot each
>>>>>>>> other over Dorritos and pork steaks/chops; but, seem to handle
>>>>>>>> Freecycle/ReUseIt responsibly.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Why would you want total strangers to know where you live?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Indeed! I was trying to figure out what to do with my excess
>>>>>> pears. Looks like they are going into the yard waste bin unless
>>>>>> perhaps I can get the guy down the street to trade me a few
>>>>>> tomatoes for some. But... He has quite a few fruit trees of his
>>>>>> own, so maybe not. Some people told me to advertise on Freecycle
>>>>>> and the like. There
>>>>>> have been sooo many robberies around here there is no way I would
>>>>>> list my address. A bike was just stolen the other day.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Another person told me to put a basket out on the street with a
>>>>>> jar so people could put money in, on the honor system. I
>>>>>> laughed. If anyone did bother to put money in, someone else
>>>>>> would just steal it. And the pears? The teenaged hoodlums would
>>>>>> likely just take them and throw them in other people's yards. I
>>>>>> don't even care if I make
>>>>>> anything off of them. I just want to get rid of them. And no,
>>>>>> the food bank here won't take them. I did check. They only take
>>>>>> produce from stores and farms.
>>>>>
>>>>> Try a different food bank. Around here Harvesters even has a
>>>>> program "plant an extra row for Harvesters" and they most
>>>>> definitely take fresh garden produce.
>>>>>
>>>>> Throwing away a bunch of perfectly good food is just dumb and
>>>>> wasteful. You can easily find someone who wants and needs it if
>>>>> you try just a little. That makes more sense than making up
>>>>> fictional scenarios which prevent you from doing the right thing.
>>>>>
>>>>> MartyB
>>>>
>>>> None of the food banks around here will take it and nobody wants
>>>> the pears. I've lived here since 2004. Can't get any takers except
>>>> perhaps for a couple of them here or there.
>>>
>>> Then use freecycle.
>>>
>>> Hint You don't post your address. If someone responds who you want
>>> to give the pears to, then you give that person only the address.
>>> You tell them where to find them somewhere outside your house, and
>>> they pick them up. Or you can arrange to drop them off at a neutral
>>> place if you are really that paranoid. But then you would have to
>>> see someone who might stalk you and go through your trash and and...
>>> and... and... wait a second. You never need to see anyone. Try it,
>>> you won't die and good fruit won't get thrown in the trash.
>>>
>>> Or just call a local church or two and you should find takers in no
>>> time. No respectable church lady would turn down a bunch of fresh
>>> baking fruit. HTH.
>>
>> But that would mean work for me.
>
> Making a couple phone calls stresses you out due to excessive
> workload? Really?
>
> I don't cotton to picking the
>> pears. Last time I did that, I was stung by a bee. At least I know
>> now that I am no longer deathly allergic to bees.
>
> So in fact, you never had any intention of picking or donating the
> pears. You're just making noise. Sorry I wasted my time on it. Next
> time I'm tempted to respond to you I'll just presume you're not
> sincere.
> But do tell us, what is your excuse for posting to ask advice about a
> problem you have no intention of dealing with in the first place? IMO,
> that's pretty damned rude.
>
> Just sayin'.

It's all a moot point because as I said in another post, the pears are all
diseased and rotted. Not edible.

I have no intent of donating *anything* if it means that I have to drive to
some other city or go to a church. I don't really like churches! I know of
three stores with donation bins for three different food banks. One of
these stores is a store that I regularly go to. I will donate at these
places.

I did not post to ask for advice. I was replying about something that was
said to me elsewhere. I am annoyed that I have all of these pears to deal
with. Yes.

zxcvbob wrote:
> Sqwertz wrote:
>> On Mon, 17 Sep 2012 23:23:37 -0400, Jean B. wrote:
>>
>>> zxcvbob wrote:
>>>> You list something and they pounce "I want it" as soon as the offer
>>>> goes out. But they sure don't get in any kind of hurry to come pick
>>>> it up.
>>>>
>>>> Next time I give anything away I will say that I won't hold it for
>>>> anyone; the first "I want it" that actually *gets here* can have it.
>>> No, that approach REALLY sucks. Think of all the folks who are
>>> wasting time, gas etc. going to your place only to find nothing.
>>
>> Yes, exactly.
>>
>> -sw
>
>
> If they don't want to waste their time, they can either hurry up and be
> the first one here, or skip it completely. If I'm upfront about "first
> come, first served" part, it's not my problem.
>
> Otherwise I'm expected to wait around for days for them to finally get
> off there ass to collect something that I am giving away for free? (with
> several 'I'll be there in a couple of hours's that never materialize) I
> DON'T THINK SO. (Homey don't play dat)
>
> -Bob

Oh come on. How would folks know whether or not they were getting
there fast enough or who had less distance to go? That approach
is ridiculous. If you are so inconvenienced, tell someone they
can have it and leave whatever it is out. How much have you lost
if the person doesn't show up? Now weigh that against the many
people who would be losing by your approach.

And lest you think I say this from the vantage point of an
inconsiderate freecycler, that is not the case.

Sqwertz wrote:
> On Mon, 17 Sep 2012 23:19:45 -0500, zxcvbob wrote:
>
>> Sqwertz wrote:
>>> On Mon, 17 Sep 2012 23:23:37 -0400, Jean B. wrote:
>>>
>>>> zxcvbob wrote:
>>>>> You list something and they pounce "I want it" as soon as the offer goes
>>>>> out. But they sure don't get in any kind of hurry to come pick it up.
>>>>>
>>>>> Next time I give anything away I will say that I won't hold it for
>>>>> anyone; the first "I want it" that actually *gets here* can have it.
>>>> No, that approach REALLY sucks. Think of all the folks who are
>>>> wasting time, gas etc. going to your place only to find nothing.
>>> Yes, exactly.
>> If they don't want to waste their time, they can either hurry up and be
>> the first one here, or skip it completely. If I'm upfront about "first
>> come, first served" part, it's not my problem.
>
> For somebody who really needs it and is sincere about picking it up,
> that's a ****ed up way to advertise something. I would only ever do
> that on my immediate neighborhood mailing list and it wouldn't be
> something that two people are going to show up at the same time and
> start fighting over, or somebody who rushed out of the house so fast
> that they ran over a kid right outside their house.
>
> Say it's a baby stroller for a couple who just had a newborn and has
> to take the bus to your house.... for example. Sure, that's an
> extreme example but it's the same principle no matter what the item.
>
> Just throw it away if you're going to do that. Because for that one
> lucky person who you just did a favor, you probably pissed off 5-20
> other people.
>
> Yes, it's something I feel strongly about.
>
>> Otherwise I'm expected to wait around for days for them to finally get
>> off there ass to collect something that I am giving away for free?
>> (with several 'I'll be there in a couple of hours's that never
>> materialize) I DON'T THINK SO. (Homey don't play dat)
>
> Just tell them right up front that if they're not here at the
> designated time then they don't get it. Use the aggression you're
> showing here in your conversation with THEM.
>
> -sw

I assume that last part is aimed at one specific (potential)
recipient. Yeah, I was about to segue into "or just don't do it
at all".

--

zxcvbob wrote:
> Sqwertz wrote:
>> On Mon, 17 Sep 2012 23:19:45 -0500, zxcvbob wrote:
>>
>>> Sqwertz wrote:
>>>> On Mon, 17 Sep 2012 23:23:37 -0400, Jean B. wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> zxcvbob wrote:
>>>>>> You list something and they pounce "I want it" as soon as the
>>>>>> offer goes out. But they sure don't get in any kind of hurry to
>>>>>> come pick it up.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Next time I give anything away I will say that I won't hold it for
>>>>>> anyone; the first "I want it" that actually *gets here* can have it.
>>>>> No, that approach REALLY sucks. Think of all the folks who are
>>>>> wasting time, gas etc. going to your place only to find nothing.
>>>> Yes, exactly.
>>> If they don't want to waste their time, they can either hurry up and
>>> be the first one here, or skip it completely. If I'm upfront about
>>> "first come, first served" part, it's not my problem.
>>
>> For somebody who really needs it and is sincere about picking it up,
>> that's a ****ed up way to advertise something. I would only ever do
>> that on my immediate neighborhood mailing list and it wouldn't be
>> something that two people are going to show up at the same time and
>> start fighting over, or somebody who rushed out of the house so fast
>> that they ran over a kid right outside their house.
>>
>> Say it's a baby stroller for a couple who just had a newborn and has
>> to take the bus to your house.... for example. Sure, that's an
>> extreme example but it's the same principle no matter what the item.
>>
>> Just throw it away if you're going to do that. Because for that one
>> lucky person who you just did a favor, you probably pissed off 5-20
>> other people.
>>
>> Yes, it's something I feel strongly about.
>>
>>> Otherwise I'm expected to wait around for days for them to finally
>>> get off there ass to collect something that I am giving away for
>>> free? (with several 'I'll be there in a couple of hours's that never
>>> materialize) I DON'T THINK SO. (Homey don't play dat)
>>
>> Just tell them right up front that if they're not here at the
>> designated time then they don't get it. Use the aggression you're
>> showing here in your conversation with THEM.
>> -sw
>
>
> That's what I did last night. Sent a note to #2 saying that #1 hadn't
> picked it up yet, and whichever one got here first could have it. Copied
> #1 on the note. (both were sent with BCC so they couldn't see who each
> other was) #2 picked it up within the half hour.
>
> Bob

That is better than the free-for-all that you described. Thank
goodness.

--

Sqwertz wrote:
> On Mon, 17 Sep 2012 23:19:45 -0500, zxcvbob wrote:
>
>> If they don't want to waste their time, they can either hurry up and be
>> the first one here, or skip it completely. If I'm upfront about "first
>> come, first served" part, it's not my problem.
>>
>> Otherwise I'm expected to wait around for days for them to finally get
>> off there ass to collect something that I am giving away for free?
>> (with several 'I'll be there in a couple of hours's that never
>> materialize) I DON'T THINK SO. (Homey don't play dat)
>
> I just joined the local Freecycle group (was a member a long time ago)
> and here is part of the email they just sent me telling me I'm
> approved:
>
>> 3. 'On the curb, come and get it' type posts are NOT allowed under any
>> circumstances. If you post that a TV is on the curb by your house, for
>> example, and 25 people stop by for it, 24 will go away disappointed
>> (that is, if a passerby hasn't gotten there before any of them) and won't
>> be feeling very well inclined towards you, to say the least. Transactions
>> must be made between two individuals only.
>
> Obviously a lot of people feel the same way I do.
>
> -sw

There has just been a discussion here about the "come and get it
approach", and many if not all groups around here seem to ban it.
One sees it on craigslist, and it seems like a bad idea there too.

--

Sqwertz wrote:
> On Mon, 17 Sep 2012 23:19:45 -0500, zxcvbob wrote:
>
>> If they don't want to waste their time, they can either hurry up and be
>> the first one here, or skip it completely. If I'm upfront about "first
>> come, first served" part, it's not my problem.
>>
>> Otherwise I'm expected to wait around for days for them to finally get
>> off there ass to collect something that I am giving away for free?
>> (with several 'I'll be there in a couple of hours's that never
>> materialize) I DON'T THINK SO. (Homey don't play dat)
>
> I just joined the local Freecycle group (was a member a long time ago)
> and here is part of the email they just sent me telling me I'm
> approved:
>
>> 3. 'On the curb, come and get it' type posts are NOT allowed under any
>> circumstances. If you post that a TV is on the curb by your house, for
>> example, and 25 people stop by for it, 24 will go away disappointed
>> (that is, if a passerby hasn't gotten there before any of them) and won't
>> be feeling very well inclined towards you, to say the least. Transactions
>> must be made between two individuals only.
>
> Obviously a lot of people feel the same way I do.
>
> -sw

Oh, ps. I think that leaving stuff on the curb with a "free" sign
is okay with NO post of any sort about it. That way, folks aren't
inconvenienced.

--

On 18-Sep-2012, "Jean B." <[email protected]> wrote:

> >
> > That's what I did last night. Sent a note to #2 saying that #1 hadn't
> > picked it up yet, and whichever one got here first could have it. Copied
> >
> > #1 on the note. (both were sent with BCC so they couldn't see who each
> > other was) #2 picked it up within the half hour.
> >
> > Bob
>
> That is better than the free-for-all that you described. Thank
> goodness.
>
> --

The way I handle it is to send the no-show and email that explicitly states
"The offer is withdrawn, the item has been offered to another". Then an
email to the backup person letting them know that, due to a no-show, the
item is theirs for the taking.
--

Change Cujo to Juno in email address.

Brooklyn1 <Gravesend1> wrote:
> On Tue, 18 Sep 2012 13:00:56 -0500, "Nunya Bidnits"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> Jean B. <[email protected]> wrote:
>>> Brooklyn1 wrote:
>>>> On Sun, 16 Sep 2012 00:44:30 GMT, "l, not -l" <[email protected]>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>> On 15-Sep-2012, Cheryl <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> On 9/15/2012 7:35 PM, Kalmia wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Freecycle is one more system which sounds good on the surface,
>>>>>>> but can hold one over a barrel, so to speak. If I can't just
>>>>>>> donate something, I hang onto it. No creeps coming over etc.,
>>>>>>> phones ringing, rubber checks.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>> I don't post my phone number, and with "free"cycle, there are
>>>>>> never checks involved.
>>>>> Same here; I don't post a phone number and I don't call any
>>>>> respondents. I have been using Freecycle and ReUseIt foe a few
>>>>> years, to give and to receive and rarely had more problems than
>>>>> the occasional no-show. St. Louisans may shoot each other over
>>>>> Dorritos and pork steaks/chops; but, seem to handle
>>>>> Freecycle/ReUseIt responsibly.
>>>>
>>>> Why would you want total strangers to know where you live?
>>>
>>> Yeah. I have a problem with that.
>>
>> Yeah, that's real sensitive intel there.
>>
>> What is the big deal with this freecycle paranoia? So someone lives
>> in the house where they gave away some junk they didn't want any
>> more on the side of the road. What an amazing coincidence. After
>> sneakily retrieving your free offering from it's designated spot,
>> which allowed them to see that there is actually a house where you
>> live, the nefarious recipient can then go down the street and spy on
>> other people by seeing their dogs, their cars, and the weeds in
>> their lawn. They might even take some items left out for large item
>> trash pickup without asking. They can go on a full blown crime spree
>> of getting free stuff, all the while actually seeing the places
>> where they are! Gasp! And the worst part is, no one would ever know
>> it. Yet your freecycling has enabled these foul villains. Be
>> forewarned... you never know when a nearby person might actually see
>> their surroundings. Dastardly indeed. And here's the really really
>> scary part... they can do this even if you don't give them anything
>> on freecycle. The end is near! Run for your lives! Run!
>
> Since you live in a carton under a bridge you'd never get it.

Since you have to go to jail on weekends I'll just wait until Saturday and
take your place. Then when you show up on Monday I'll have you arrested for
tresspass. When you get out, I will give you your own refrigerator box, but
you'll have to find your own bridge.

l, not -l wrote:
> On 18-Sep-2012, "Jean B." <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>> That's what I did last night. Sent a note to #2 saying that #1 hadn't
>>> picked it up yet, and whichever one got here first could have it. Copied
>>>
>>> #1 on the note. (both were sent with BCC so they couldn't see who each
>>> other was) #2 picked it up within the half hour.
>>>
>>> Bob
>> That is better than the free-for-all that you described. Thank
>> goodness.
>>
>> --
>
> The way I handle it is to send the no-show and email that explicitly states
> "The offer is withdrawn, the item has been offered to another". Then an
> email to the backup person letting them know that, due to a no-show, the
> item is theirs for the taking.

Yup. There are much better ways than having a free-for-all.

--

On Tue, 18 Sep 2012 18:47:58 -0400, Jean B. wrote:

> Oh, ps. I think that leaving stuff on the curb with a "free" sign
> is okay with NO post of any sort about it. That way, folks aren't
> inconvenienced.

And if that doesn't work, put a sign on it that say "$5" and somebody
will steal it!

-sw