FreeCycle is great/sucks
I’m offering a bunch of my stuff on Freecycle before I move, mostly to save on disposal charges and the hassle of hauling it to wherever. Turns out that giving stuff away is a hassle too.
I posted the stuff. In 15 minutes everything was spoken for. Hurray!
After 12 hours, I had 20+ responses. Everybody loves “free”. Yeah, whatever.
I was a bit bothered that some people emailed, asking for all kinds of details… details that I had already given in the photo or description. Apparently beggars can be choosers and even stupid choosers.
After a day, 5 of the 6 takers either didn’t return my call or backed out. Fuckers.
Now I’ve got to go down the list and try to find more takers… and more takers.
Next time, my OFFER letter will look like this:
I have a beautiful widget that can be yours if you can pick it up in [town] between the hours of [n] and [n] on [today or today +1]. Here is a photo of it: http:http://lee.org/[photo]
Email me with your name, phone number and a time to call in the next 12 hours and I’ll call you. If you aren’t available when I call, I’ll offer it to another.
That is so freaking true. I signed up for freecycle because I work at night and I thought it would be easier and a little less concerning than leaving the crap on Goodwill’s door step in the middle of the night!
So far, some guy is stalking me through yahoo messenger trying to have ME drive 35 miles across town to give him a large cross-section of my crap, and he is even hassling me on yahoo messenger now.
Some other lady picked a fight with me because I read her post, it was in all-caps, and she didn’t say what she was freecycling, so I told her that people might perceive her as rude and she should be more specific than “bag of misc. too much to list.”
I’m starting to realize that I’ve joined a list of dousche bags.
Wow, you’re both right about Freecycle. Takers run in like a pack of wolves, and then back out in the end. I wish I would’ve thrown my stuff out on the sidwalk or donated it in the first place.
And I don’t think people actually read the postings. I clearly stated that I was moving, and items had to be out by a specific date. I then gave the days and times the items could be taken. I carved out a three day period. But guess what? People were asking to come AFTER the date of my move. And most of those who agreed to the time didn’t bother to show up. But to be honest, I didn’t do much better with Craigslist. People falling over themselves to purchase my furniture, but not bothering to show up.
I will never, ever use Freecycle again.
I know what all of you mean. I was once a moderator for the local freecycle where I live, but after seeing what people were doing and how some acted I got out. I got tired of receiving complaint e-mails because of people not showing up when they promised to pick something up. Plus I also found out that the other moderators were claiming stuff before they would allow messages to go through to the group. I tried to stop it, but the rest of the moderators were all lady friends and ganged up against me. When I threatened to go to the owner of freecycle about what they were doing they went to him first telling him a bunch of crap about me that wasn’t true. I finally told all of them to f*ck off and die, then quit my position.
It sounds like the freetarian lifestyle is just as cutthroat as any other. Feh.
I originally posted that my step sons mother was homeless and we were trying to get custody of him and it would happen this weekend. That part was not included in the original post (seen below) I am disconcerned about there editing methods, however think it is a goos site in theory. Here is what happened.-
Hi = wanted to let you know it was necessary to edit your post in
order to approve it. #1 – it was necessary to change the heading from
needed to wanted, as we don’t allow the useage of the word needed in
the heading. #2 – it was necessary to adjust the information in the
body of the post to keep within the purpose of Freecycle which is to
pass on still useable items that someone may no longer want or need to
keep it from a landfill, versus sharing your entire story with the
purpose of fulfilling your need. While we are concerned for our
members and are glad that many are helped through Freecycle, we must
stay true to our main purpose with regards to the contents of posts.
Char
moderator
portland freecycle
my reply- so far unanswered
I understand that wanted is a better heading. As far as sharing our story, I have heard so many others on this site, what is wrong with ours. There might be two people out there looking for a bunk bed and we have a need, they have a want. Maybe they don’t want to shell out the money for a bunk bed and are looking for a free one. People offering Item on Freecycle get to pick and choose who they give there items to. I see posts all the time that say “reply and maybe I will choose you to be the lucky one to receive my….!” It is O.K. to pick the deserving one to get an item, but it is not O.K. to show why we really need it? If you want to keep the integrity of the site make sure it is nondiscriminatory. I received a toddler bed from this site after I said I needed to get a good nights sleep. I stated I needed help getting my toddler out of our bed. That wasn’t a story?
And this post.. Want boy clothes
Posted by: “latincchickca” latincchickca@yahoNOSPAMo.com latincchickca
Date: Tue Aug 15, 2006 12:53 pm (PDT)
I am in need of some boy clothes. Just lost my job and my son is
starting school and he has grown a lot this summer. I am in a temp
need. I am looking for boys 5-7 anything will help. Thank you very much
It is sure a sad “story” about her losing her job and all. In the future though in keeping with the the purpose of freecycle we leave out the emotionally pulling part about lossing her job.
And this one
17. Wanted: Trumpet
Posted by: “drawn_in” drawn_in@yNOSPAMahoo.com drawn_in
Date: Mon Aug 14, 2006 10:26 pm (PDT)
Hello all! I’m looking for a trumpet in working condition. I have a
friend that had one stolen while at Suki’s and needs a new one but
can’t afford it. Can any one help?
Thanks for your help,
Dan
I think it would be more appropriate if he just said they wanted one and not shared the whole story of his friends being stolen.
I can keep going if you want. I am sure you are going to caulk this up to some crazy lady and not for second think about your own actions, but I figured it is worth a try.
Umm. Yeah. Thanks for sharing. I won’t be caulking.
gripe gripe gripe.. cant get your way.. whine & cry & blog it! quick someone call the waaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhmbulance!
mods arent paid, they dont have anything against you personally… they have set rules & standard cut copy & paste replies they send out.. when you joined the rules were sent to you. cant read? obviously not or your posts wouldnt have been rejected… point being.. get over your self… everyone wants, everyone needs, your not better than the next person, if you have an emergency situation call a local church or food pantry they give for free based on “dire needs”
we all have sad stories… so sad, we cant afford things.. yet there we sit.. on a computer.. on the internet.. in a house or apt.. amazing those that TRUELY need are homeless & dont have internet to whine about rejected post.. get a grip people if you need THAT bad… try saving the money you spend on your internet connection
You really shouldn’t make so many assumptions. In fact I can read very well, punctuate, capitalize and form complete sentences. A skill you most certainly lack. Just so you know; I get free internet. It’s called the Public Library and even homeless people can use it. When the library is closed there are always my friends and neighbors with internet access I can use. I am guessing you have neighbors but lack the social skills to make friends and that is a truly sad story.
My point is that there were two other posts in the same day that contained sad stories explaining why they needed an item(s). Those were not changed and mine was. If they are going to send me personal, non cut and paste notices about my post they should make sure they are doing it to everyone.
Yup.. Freecycle does SUCK big time. I’ve given up posting anything to offer anymore because you’ll have picky beggars who want all kinds of details over a FREE color t.v. or like the others said, you’ll get 12 responses and 12 no-shows. I ended up leaving my local Freecyle group and now simply give my stuff to the local organization that helps out the Lutheran High School. Most of the posts on our local group were people wanting FREE handouts. I belonged to a couple of other nearby local groups and it was the same thing, a majority of I WANT kind of messages. When I say that you have people wanting things, it’s amazing what kind of stuff these Freecycle groups allow people to ask for. Cars, Motorcycles, Computers, Trailers, Boats. I mean GIVE ME A BREAK. In the Freecycle rules, it states that you aren’t supposed to ask for excessively expensive items, but the moderators of all of these groups CHERRY PICK the offers and are the major rule breakers, and it’s a great deal for them and their friends. So, in the end, I felt it was a bunch of crap to waste my time offering things to grubby beggars and now simply drop my stuff off when my schedule allows.
I agree with the aspect on how freecycle sucks big time. I sent a message offering a free lamp to my local freecycle group. The moderator of the group responded by wanting my lamp over an hour and seven minutes prior to sending the message to the rest of the group. I sent a complaint to the freecycle.org website cc’d it to Deron Beal and also cc’d it to the state GOA people and didn’t hear one word back from any of them. freecycle started out being a decent idea but is full of people who expect free handouts and then sell it on ebay or other local for sale groups. or what’s even worse, the moderators pick out the good stuff first and then after they’ve responded to the offers first, will send out the message to the rest of the group. what a bunch of crap!
Johnny B.
Oh I can agree with all of you on the downside of Freecycle. I use to own a consignment store and if people did not want their NICE clothes back, I posted them with pictures. Usually within 5 minutes my postings went through and I had people come to get the items within the same day. There were a handful of people who actually searched the site for just my postings because my items were so nice. (toot toot my own horn)
Now a year later, I am trying to downsize my home and get rid of small appliances and kids clothes/toys that are immaculate. I have posted at least 10 items and Freecycle will not let the ads go through. They refuse to answer my emails and yet none of my postings are showing up.
So, a trip to Salvation Army is in my future. At least they will appreciate the items. True, someone may have to pay for it but if they really need it, hopefully it will be given away. The Freecycle in my city has advertised they are in need of volunteers to be moderators but that is NO excuse for letting good items go to waste.
And I thought I was being a good citizen.
>The Freecycle in my city has advertised they are in need of volunteers
>to be moderators but that is NO excuse for letting good items go to
>waste.
Well, it’s a volunteer organization so, yeah, that might be a good excuse. Have you tried selling/giving away on Craigslist?
>…and I had people come to get the items within the same day.
Did you have any trouble with people claiming them and never showing up?
I’m not sure what Craigslist is but I am in New Brunswick, Canada and would like to post close to home. I sent an email to Freecycle and they have replied (quickly) that they are looking into the situation. It has been a week and the postings have not shown, yet friends of mine are having theirs posted within 1 hour.
So I changed identities, resent the post and nothing. My concern is not that someone has a grudge against me. I don’t really care. My concern is that I have really nice items that are useful and I actually deliver but can’t get through. I hear so often on the radio or tv that we have to be a giving nation or else we have nothing. Well, I can’t seem to give anything.
When Freecycle started in my city, I read a very interesting article about it in my local paper. I have taken the next step and contact a reporter to tell the other side of the story. (I have tried to sign up as a volunteer but no one will contact me). If someone is going to take on the responsibility of “owning” a website, then they should be prepared to nuture it just like a business!
PS: To the blogger who said she’s tired of us complaining, this is a site to express our disappointment in Freecycle. We have the right to whine!
If Freecycle in your area doesn’t work, and you’ve tried to volunteer but the group isn’t functioning well enough to take your volunteerism, then my advice is for you to go elsewhere.
Salvation Army
Good Will
Craigslist (google for “craigslist” and you’ll find it)
eBay
Amazon (you can sell your own items on their site)
Your favorite local church
A local school
A local consignment shop
There are many options.
Well I got this far adn was cracking up. I think this person is paid by freecycle to spew lies and lies and more lies. This loon is without a doubt on the MOD SQUAD! Beware the following message is reposted with the cut paste method and I have left nothing out. Its either shes part of the owner’s friends or shes sleeping with him!
eric
“# jen Says:
September 1st, 2006 at 2:14 pm
gripe gripe gripe.. cant get your way.. whine & cry & blog it! quick someone call the waaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhmbulance!
mods arent paid, they dont have anything against you personally… they have set rules & standard cut copy & paste replies they send out.. when you joined the rules were sent to you. cant read? obviously not or your posts wouldnt have been rejected… point being.. get over your self… everyone wants, everyone needs, your not better than the next person, if you have an emergency situation call a local church or food pantry they give for free based on “dire needs”
we all have sad stories… so sad, we cant afford things.. yet there we sit.. on a computer.. on the internet.. in a house or apt.. amazing those that TRUELY need are homeless & dont have internet to whine about rejected post.. get a grip people if you need THAT bad… try saving the money you spend on your internet connection”
See what I mean?
I thought so!
:D
eric
You Freecycle people are crazy.
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