I just don't get it (freecycle requests)

[xmas74]

Someone wants an electric bike. Someone else just asked for a Vespa. Another person has asked for a newer laptop.

I thought I was lucky when I received some tulips that someone was thinning out!

[Maddy McCall]

1. I quit doing freecycle here...

when all of the stuff I gave away or wanted to pick up...well, there's this one person who obviously runs a second-hand shop, who stays on freecycle 24/7, who gets EVERY fucking thing anyone posts.

I've seen people ask for CARS on freecycle. I wonder if they ever get stuff like that.

[xmas74]

3. I saw a request for a

95 Monte Carlo a few weeks ago.

And there is someone in my town who picks up all donations and then sells them. I've reported it a few times but no answer-we have it in our agreement that no profit is to be made off of the offer.

[pitohui]

6. i've gotten some good stuff but i think i've just hit lucky

i did get a car for free but not off freecycle but off another site, however, i had to tow (thanks AAA), pay the tax to transfer it from mississippi to louisiana registration, and of course fix it up -- it had a minor problem and has served pretty well as a backup vehicle for at least 2 years now

i also gifted a car twice, one time it did not work out well because the people i gifted it to were too poor to maintain it, so they gave it up after a few weeks -- the second time the guy fized it up and sold it for profit after saying he was giving it to his church group as a project -- hmmm -- i probably won't gift a car again without knowing the person well enough to know that they can maintain it

the official freecycle group and our group had some falling out that i don't understand, but our group does pass along some pretty good stuff sometimes, i've gotten tons of clothes in my size especially, a good bit of food also -- some people never want to see that katrina food again, some people don't want the bother of fruit or nut trees

i try not to give away anything to the poster who always has a "story," tell me you live nearby and can pick up promptly at XYZ time and i'll probably pick you over the person who has a sad, sad story of how they lost everything, a lot of the group is in that situation of starting over yet never says a word

one of my most ironic pick-ups was some clothes from a lady who, it turned out, had lost everything in katrina, after her insurance came through and she bought a new home, clothes, etc, she was passing on the stuff that people had given her to tide her over, hence the clothes, that was pretty cool i thought

[skygazer]

2. Oh, yeah - and they have to be in mint condition

I've seen people requesting an entire living room set - that sort of thing. "Must be in excellent condition." HELLO, people, it's FREE!

Yeah, I quit the whole freecycle thing - got sick of greedy people asking for ridiculous stuff.

[xmas74]

4. I still keep my eyes and ears open.

It was once a great program but a bunch of greedy idiots got on there...

A few months ago there was a newlywed couple posting, requesting any furniture, linens, dishes, pots and pans, etc. They even needed baby clothes. (Poor as church mice and sounds like a possible shotgun wedding at that.)

I offered them a coffee maker, a few pans (nothing fancy but in good shape and kept shiny) and a microwave (nothing wrong w/ it but I had purchased a larger one 7 months ago). They came by and none of it was good enough.

I just don't understand. The only thing I've ever asked for has been plant cuttings or extra flowers and plants when someone thins their garden. I've been quite happy to receive those.

[hippywife]

5. We have mostly used it

to give away things rather than look for things. We gave away a couple of old kitchen cabinets the other day. They were in okay shape, a few nicks on them but the young couple who came to get them were very happy to have them. I'm sure there are greedy folks out there gaming the system but I'm sure there are more who aren't.

[pitohui]

7. i have found it very useful for this

some things are just too bulky to try to sell or not worth the few bucks you would make, yet if you don't fight back the clutter somehow you'd soon be overwhelmed

[xmas74]

8. I know there are more who are honest

but the greedy are almost spamming everything lately. You'll see the same people-same screen names-in multiple groups. (I belong to multiple groups because of my location).

It just makes me nauseous whenever I open it up and see the same people making constant demands.