Thread: Freecyclers suck

On Sat, 15 Sep 2012 17:42:13 -0500, 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.

A lot of those people are just vultures. Somebody wrote a piece about
advertising a bunch of fictitious, totally random stuff under
different names/email addresses and then documented the responses.
There was about 15 people who wanted EVERYTHING he posted - not much
value in any of the stuff, really - maybe 5-10 bucks to the right
person. 90% of the responses were from those same 15 people.

ObFood: Chicken pot pie for dinner.

-sw

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.

On 9/15/2012 6:42 PM, 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.

Those are the ones that annoy me, too. They want it (!) but don't give
any indication of when they're picking up. I ignore those responses.
Then if someone doesn't pick up when they say they will, they go on a
list of people who I don't even consider. The problem is the no-showers
always have a good excuse and I can never know if they really had a
death in the family or not.

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.

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.

Why bother with telling unknowns your address and phone number... I
simply place discards at the road and tape a sign; "FREE". If no one
takes it it's out for trash pick up. So far nothing has lasted more
than a couple three hours... it's amazing what people will take when
it's free.

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.


--

Change Cujo to Juno in email address.

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?

On 15-Sep-2012, Brooklyn1 <Gravesend1> wrote:

> Why would you want total strangers to know where you live?

I have no need to hide where I live. I don't let them in; all items are
placed outside for pickup. My particular location is highly visible to
passing vehicles, including regular police patrols and neighbors are
attentive to unfamiliar people and vehicles. I also have an unsocial
pitbull that makes all who approach front door very nervous. If I lived
in the middle of nowhere and had a hoard of cats instead of a pitbull, I
might feel differently.
--

Change Cujo to Juno in email address.

In article <[email protected]>, Brooklyn1 <Gravesend1>
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?

My neighbors several houses on either side are total strangers to me, yet they
know where I live as does the postman, the garbage man, the guy who installed my
cable and more gov't agencies than I care to think about. But every once in a
while when I look over my shoulder, someone IS actually following me

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.

Exactly. In the old days, my dad used to sell stuff through a paper called
The Little Nickel. I still think it exists. He didn't sell the stuff for
much. Usually just enough to cover the cost of the ad.

The last thing he sold was a stereo. It was one of those huge ones with the
built in wooden cabinet. It was just a turn table and a radio but it was a
good 4-5 feet long.

Little old lady on the third floor of an apartment building bought it. She
said she didn't have any way of getting it so could he please deliver it to
her? Which he did. Of course she didn't bother to tell him that she lived
on the 3rd floor. Somehow he mangaged to get it up there by himself. And
then she trapped him in her kitchen and plied him with tea and cookies. He
said she literally did trap him based on the way her table sat. And she
just went on and on with stories. Probably didn't even need the stereo.
Probably was just lonely.

I sold a couple of cars many years ago. I wouldn't even bother to do that
now. If I do get something new or newer I will probably buy from a dealer
and trade in what I have.

I did take some of Angela's things to a consigment shop when she was a
baby/toddler. They gave us the option of getting cash back or getting
merchandise which was actually a better deal because we got more value that
way. I believe I chose to get the merchandise although it has been so many
years now, I don't remember.

These days I just donate that which we don't want. After that Craigslist
Killer thing...that was in this area...there is no way I would advertise
anything again.

If it is something that we can't donate, then we haul it to the dump.

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.

Brooklyn1 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.
>
> Why bother with telling unknowns your address and phone number... I
> simply place discards at the road and tape a sign; "FREE". If no one
> takes it it's out for trash pick up. So far nothing has lasted more
> than a couple three hours... it's amazing what people will take when
> it's free.

My husband has done that a few times, much to my dismay. I know people do
it but it is very much frowned on here.

I used to put stuff out at the street for a local charity to pick up. There
was a cat scratching post and a lady rang the doorbell to ask if she could
have it? I let her have it. She also asked about some under the bed
storage thingies that wouldn't fit under our beds. I let her have those
too.

I had to quit putting things out there when the hoodlums began stealing
them. They would take one shoe from a pair of shoes and throw it in a yard
somewhere down the block. Leaving the other shoe in the box for pickup.
This pissed me off because the donation was then useless.

Now I use Value Village because they will come to my porch or my driveway to
pick up. I just put the stuff outside of the garage door and under cover
and they come and get it. No problems doing that yet.

On Sat, 15 Sep 2012 17:42:13 -0500, zxcvbob <[email protected]>
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.
>
Good idea. First come, first served.


--
Food is an important part of a balanced diet.

On Sat, 15 Sep 2012 17:42:13 -0500, zxcvbob <[email protected]>
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.

I post that it is in the shed at the end of the driveway-- It is a
busy road. I had 6 boxes of vcr tapes. I think 4 different
people took a box or 2. 5 happy campers.

Large items I offer to deliver curbside and I've gotten rid of a
freezer and a washing machine in short order.

Never had any problems-- I've picked up some great stuff, for
free, too-- a garden bench, a side-by-side refrigerator- 10 trailer
loads of pavers. . . . an above ground swimming pool that i just
needed the pump, and [my neighbor and I] have been using the metal
parts to build stuff for years.

I'll bet a lot of that stuff ends up on Craigslist-- but all the more
power to them. I've found it to be a great way to get rid of
something in a hurry.

Jim

"Julie Bove" wrote in message news:k33n3g$94a$[email protected]..

Brooklyn1 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.
>
> Why bother with telling unknowns your address and phone number... I
> simply place discards at the road and tape a sign; "FREE". If no one
> takes it it's out for trash pick up. So far nothing has lasted more
> than a couple three hours... it's amazing what people will take when
> it's free.

My husband has done that a few times, much to my dismay. I know people do
it but it is very much frowned on here.

I used to put stuff out at the street for a local charity to pick up. There
was a cat scratching post and a lady rang the doorbell to ask if she could
have it? I let her have it. She also asked about some under the bed
storage thingies that wouldn't fit under our beds. I let her have those
too.

(snipped hoodlums)

Now I use Value Village because they will come to my porch or my driveway to
pick up. I just put the stuff outside of the garage door and under cover
and they come and get it. No problems doing that yet.
******************

Where I live you're not allowed to set stuff out by the curb*. It wouldn't
do much good anyway. Unless you have a pass you can't get past security.
IOW, people who don't live here can't just drive by and say OH! I'll take
that! (We're not allowed to have yard sales, either.)

*There ARE exceptions. This community has a rather antiquated form of
internal communications known as a listserv. If you send an email to the
list stating you have such and such item(s) available and say it's sitting
at the end of your driveway, residents who want it can come by and pick it
up. Otherwise, you can't just set stuff by the curb and hope someone will
take it.

I recently culled my closets; I came up with three bags of clothing/shoes I
wanted to donate. The Salvation Army won't come this far out of town
anymore unless they have at least three households who will agree on the
same date for pickup. Yeah, try coordinating that. LOL When I first moved
here, before SA instituted that policy, they wouldn't take a perfectly good,
working Electrolux cannister vacuum cleaner (with bags). A workhorse! I
just don't like cannister vacuum cleaners. The driver declared it was "too
old" and wouldn't take it. Sheesh! What is he, a vacuum cleaner
specialist? I would think someone shopping at the Salvation Army wouldn't
much care as long as it works. So I scratched SA off the list.

There are lots of other charity/thrift shop places that will pick items up
for donation. As with your Value Village, you don't have to leave the items
at the curb. I called a local place called Red Door Thrift Shop; proceeds
benefit Friends of Caroline Hospice. (I did have to call to request a
courtesy pass at the gate so they wouldn't be charged $10 to get on the
island.) I set the bags at the end of the walkway to my front door. I
taped a note on them so they knew it wasn't bags of leaves or grass
clippings! They picked them up and left me a receipt to fill in for tax
purposes. This is the route I'll be taking to get rid of some other items.
Maybe they'll even take that cannister vacuum cleaner off my hands. I
didn't think to ask.

Jill

jmcquown wrote:
>

> I recently culled my closets; I came up with three bags of clothing/shoes I
> wanted to donate. The Salvation Army won't come this far out of town
> anymore unless they have at least three households who will agree on the
> same date for pickup. Yeah, try coordinating that. LOL When I first moved
> here, before SA instituted that policy, they wouldn't take a perfectly good,
> working Electrolux cannister vacuum cleaner (with bags). A workhorse! I
> just don't like cannister vacuum cleaners. The driver declared it was "too
> old" and wouldn't take it. Sheesh! What is he, a vacuum cleaner
> specialist? I would think someone shopping at the Salvation Army wouldn't
> much care as long as it works. So I scratched SA off the list.
>
> There are lots of other charity/thrift shop places that will pick items up
> for donation. As with your Value Village, you don't have to leave the items
> at the curb. I called a local place called Red Door Thrift Shop; proceeds
> benefit Friends of Caroline Hospice. (I did have to call to request a
> courtesy pass at the gate so they wouldn't be charged $10 to get on the
> island.) I set the bags at the end of the walkway to my front door. I
> taped a note on them so they knew it wasn't bags of leaves or grass
> clippings! They picked them up and left me a receipt to fill in for tax
> purposes. This is the route I'll be taking to get rid of some other items.
> Maybe they'll even take that cannister vacuum cleaner off my hands. I
> didn't think to ask.
>
> Jill

Just toss it all into the ocean and let the tide take it out...and let
France deal with the flotsam. eheheh

G.

"Gary" wrote in message news:[email protected]..

jmcquown wrote:
>

> I recently culled my closets; I came up with three bags of clothing/shoes
> I
> wanted to donate. The Salvation Army won't come this far out of town
> anymore unless they have at least three households who will agree on the
> same date for pickup. Yeah, try coordinating that. LOL When I first
> moved
> here, before SA instituted that policy, they wouldn't take a perfectly
> good,
> working Electrolux cannister vacuum cleaner (with bags). A workhorse! I
> just don't like cannister vacuum cleaners. The driver declared it was
> "too
> old" and wouldn't take it. Sheesh! What is he, a vacuum cleaner
> specialist? I would think someone shopping at the Salvation Army wouldn't
> much care as long as it works. So I scratched SA off the list.
>
> There are lots of other charity/thrift shop places that will pick items up
> for donation. As with your Value Village, you don't have to leave the
> items
> at the curb. I called a local place called Red Door Thrift Shop; proceeds
> benefit Friends of Caroline Hospice. (I did have to call to request a
> courtesy pass at the gate so they wouldn't be charged $10 to get on the
> island.) I set the bags at the end of the walkway to my front door. I
> taped a note on them so they knew it wasn't bags of leaves or grass
> clippings! They picked them up and left me a receipt to fill in for tax
> purposes. This is the route I'll be taking to get rid of some other
> items.
> Maybe they'll even take that cannister vacuum cleaner off my hands. I
> didn't think to ask.
>
> Jill

Just toss it all into the ocean and let the tide take it out...and let
France deal with the flotsam. eheheh

G.


I think it would make its way to the Caribbean sooner than it would to
France. Then possibly tossed back this way by a hurricane

Jill

jmcquown wrote:
>
> "Gary" wrote in message news:[email protected]..
> Just toss it all into the ocean and let the tide take it out...and let
> France deal with the flotsam. eheheh
>
> G.
>
> I think it would make its way to the Caribbean sooner than it would to
> France. Then possibly tossed back this way by a hurricane
>
> Jill

Nope. Remember the Gulf Stream runs N to S here on the east coast. Your
stuff will go up near Canada then swing east towards Europe before ever
making it's way back the Carribean.

It's a good way to get rid of debris here on the east coast and the french
deserve all of our trash. JK, naturally, all of you frenchie ppls.

G.

Gary wrote:
>
> jmcquown wrote:
> >
> > "Gary" wrote in message news:[email protected]..
> > Just toss it all into the ocean and let the tide take it out...and let
> > France deal with the flotsam. eheheh
> >
> > G.
> >
> > I think it would make its way to the Caribbean sooner than it would to
> > France. Then possibly tossed back this way by a hurricane
> >
> > Jill
>
> Nope. Remember the Gulf Stream runs N to S here on the east coast. Your
> stuff will go up near Canada then swing east towards Europe before ever
> making it's way back the Carribean.
>
> It's a good way to get rid of debris here on the east coast and the french
> deserve all of our trash. JK, naturally, all of you frenchie ppls.
>
> G.

Oops....I meant to say the GS runs S to N! ;-O