Freecycle - good grief!

[Georgie]

I was lucky enough to receive a new camera for Christmas so I thought I'd offer my old one on Freecycle.  I've never used Freecycle before and setting up the account etc was a bit of a challenge but I managed it.   :)

About half an hour ago I realised I had no idea how to access my new Yahoo email account but I worked that out too (eventually).  My offer has been up for less than three hours and I've already had 30 replies.  What a revelation!  How rude some people are.   >:(  But the funniest reply I've had so far is: 'I am interesting'.   Might file that one for future reference.  ;)  I'm also intrigued by the person who wants it 'to monitor her pregnancy'.   ???  But how on earth will I decide?  I suspect there are some professional con artists out there who pen a good heartrending story?

Any advice welcome.   :)

G x

[Georgie]

[dtw]

They'll probably sell it on ebay whoever you give it to.

There are people on there who are constantly monitoring it for good stuff.
Give it to the last person who contacted you, as they would probably be 'genuine'.

[ceres]

Ha ha!  Yes, I've had those!  And "I'll take it" or "Oh my God, I'll have it" or "I can't collect so you will need to deliver it" or "I'll be there at x o'clock, give me your address"...........

I immediately discard the ones that don't say please or thank you, and the ones that don't actually mention the item (probably dealers/car booters/eBayers doing automated replies) then out of what's left pick the person that sounds most genuine about what they'll use it for.  That's my way.  I don't object to people selling on my discards because it still keeps them out of landfill but non-sellers-on get priority with me.

Lot's of people give to the first reply or the person who can pick it up soonest.  Some people look for the most 'needy'.  It's up to you really but sounds like you'll have fun!  Welcome to the wonderful world of Freecycle!

[Georgie]

Some good advice there, thanks.  Sorry to sound dumb but do you normally reply to each message or just post 'it's been taken' when you've decided?

G x

[ceres]

If there's only a few replies, I usually reply to each.  If there are too many, I just put up a Taken post and say sorry, too many to reply to individually. 

[Levi]

Some people just put names in a hat which takes out any irritation if the person who turns up bears no relation to the reply. My prob with it recently has been whether some people are so low that they write-in spelling/grammar mistakes to get sympathy votes. I get real time cross with some posts cos it shows that they actually think people are stupid because they 'give' stuff away. I just don't believe its statistically possible for the no of washing machines/cookers/freezers/t.v's to have broken in the week b4 Christmas, I've been so lucky over the last 25yrs then. Njoy the good feeling factor of recylcling and giving, blank the rest, its not healthy. I post indiv to the nicer replies and then to the group.

[Moonbeam65]

What amazes me about sites like free cycle is what people ask for and not only that they tell you the condition the item they are looking for should be in as well as can you deliver to me.
I bet there are a lot of the items offered put up for sale on ebay or like some people have said up for sale at car boots.
Deciding who gets the item is certainly a hard decision. 

[Emagggie]

Whether they actually turn up to collect can also whittle down the list too Georgie ;D

[Hyacinth]

Some good advice there, thanks.  Sorry to sound dumb but do you normally reply to each message or just post 'it's been taken' when you've decided?

G x

A 'taken' msg is orl, here for me.  All other asking msgs get deleted after my cut-off date. I'd noticed here in Birmingham that some peeps are online 24/7 to reply to everything, so I stipulate that the offer is open til 'x' evening time on 'x' date(, to give peeps who are genuine but praps, work ???,  time to reply?) & replies before given times are deleted. Still surprised that peeps DON'T read that >:(

That's for things of value.....boxes of misc 'junk' however.....I want it out and the sooner the better for me....if I wanted to do a Car Boot Sale or whatever I would, but if it's junk to me, fair do's to anyone who can stand there & make a bob or two.

[caroline7758]

Hope you got a good "taker", Georgie. I love freecycle but you do have to take the good with the bad and try not to get annoyed about the timewasters. As ceres says, at least it's keeping stuff out of landfill.

[Georgie]

Thank you all for your replies.  By this morning their were over fifty takers but one stood out above all the rest.  Someone who said she was monitoring Freecycle to help out a friend who was a director of a local authority children's home.  The nicely written email explained about one child who had a talent for photography and how much he would benefit from the camera. It was polite and not too gushy so I bit the bullet and rang her.  Delightful woman who seemed utterly genuine so she's popping round tomorrow to collect.  If she turns out to be a mad axe woman then I doubt I'll be posting tomorrow.   ;)  ;D

G x

[cornykev]

Georgie do you want me to come round and stand guard, just say the word and I'll be round in a   * flash.*      ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[Georgie]

Georgie do you want me to come round and stand guard, just say the word and I'll be round in a   * flash.*      ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

I just checked with the OH and he said fine, and are you any good at washing up? :D

G x

[nilly71]

I can't complain about freecycle, i recently asked if anyone had a washing machine drum for building a fire to keep us warm over the plot and someone gave me a tumble dryer drum.

Works a treat :)


Neil

[Georgie]

I can't complain about freecycle, i recently asked if anyone had a washing machine drum for building a fire to keep us warm over the plot and someone gave me a tumble dryer drum.

Works a treat :)


Neil

Nice one.   :)

G x

[Levi]

I am amazed at how some people's minds work. How inspiring and useful, ta.   

[caroline7758]

I got a washer drum from freecycle for the same purpose- a bit small but better than nothing.

[RW]

Yes these drums are handy...