Anyone else Freecycle?

[grace0418]

I posted today offering some random art supplies and had 15 replies in a matter of minutes! People love free shit!

[geardaddy]

1. Yes, we do.

We use craigslist.org

[grace0418]

5. I use craigslist for stuff I want to sell, but freecycle for free stuff.

Both get pretty quick responses.

[geardaddy]

8. Cool.

I'll have to tell my wife about Freecycle!

[buzzycrumbhunger]

2. Ah, yes

. . . but did they actually show up to pick it up? I love the concept, but between the jackasses who think you should be available on their schedule (or lack thereof) to do them this favor of free shit and the even worse arseholes who post their hearts' desires because they're too lazy to fucking get a job, it gets kind of depressing. I've given stuff from both ends of the spectrum (really good and really bad experiences). On any given day, you will see more requests for a house full of furniture (TV over 32", please) and late-model cars than you see legitimate postings.

I've only ever gotten rid of stuff, but free art supplies? I totally would have shown up for some. ;)

[grace0418]

4. Yeah I've heard about some of the bad experiences. The girl who's getting my

art supplies is so excited, I'm sure she'll show up. And if she doesn't, the other 14 people said to contact them. I actually feel bad because some of the other people are teachers and art therapists who need supplies for their children. I took special note of their emails and plan to have more to give them. I think it will be easier for me to part with stuff if I know it's going to a school or art therapy program. It was hard to let go, but I'm out of room!

[Archae]

3. Right here!

I got my megaboom computer speakers through Freecycle, and have gotten rid of a lot of junk from my closet.

[Rabrrrrrr]

6. Yes, many people do. Otherwise it wouldn't work very well.

I love it, except for the greedy asswipes who, if I am posting a number of things, always write back with "I'll take everything!!"

They never get anything.

Nor, for the most part, does anyone who uses the phrase "I'll take".

Fuck that. You may ask for it; but you will not 'take' it, you rude sub-literate shitpile.

[grace0418]

10. LOL! I know what you mean but I was pretty glad when people responded wanting

everything. I have 6 bankers boxes full of stuff and an art table to get rid of, and I was afraid I'd have people wanting to rifle through the boxes and take only what they wanted. I made a point of saying people had to take a whole box with all the contents.

[NV Whino]

11. Oh yeah, greedy asswipes

I was getting rid of a ton of stuff from one of my clients' houses that he was cleaning out after a bad tenant. One woman got pissed at me for giving someone else the kitchen sink (yes, really the kitchen sink) when she had already claimed four items. Guess who was the first one on my shit list.

Then there was the woman who decided she didn't want what she had said she wanted and took the birdbath that I was promised before I could get there to claim it. The next day the donor called me again and said that a different bird bath had mysteriously appeared and did I want that one instead.

[NV Whino]

7. Yes

Mostly I love FreeCycle. I have encountered some assholes, though. I keep a mental list of the people who are continually requesting things and make sure they never get anything I put up. I also keep a list of the no-shows. I don't have too much trouble with that. I live in an out-of-the-way area so I deliver rather than expect people to pick up. Works like a charm. Dump it on their porch and split.

I have to say that one of my FreeCycle pet peeves is when people post things without an adequate description or measurements when appropriate. You know: one bookshelf. No dimensions, no color, no description of material, no mention of number of shelves. Drives me nuts.

[LaydeeBug]

9. I find it too hard to navigate.

at least a few years ago when I tried it, it was too cumbersome and I gave up.