Freecycle?

I use it all the time. We have given away so many things which have helped others. I think the best was after we moved in and I dug up about 200 self seeded laurels which a friend said would have cost about £6 each at the garden centre. Several people got new hedges.

Yes, seen all those optimistic requests, including the one you quote.

My bugbear is that someone offers something and the next posting is that it has gone. I always wait 24 hours before deciding who will get our things as imo only a dealer can sit there all day watching out for things.

When lots of people want the same thing I always give it to the one who is most polite. Some of them really are quite demanding!

I think Freecycle is a marvellous facility. We got loads of things for our twin grandchildren when they were small including a beautiful "Mammas and Pappas" cot that had hardly been used. When they were a little older I got them scooters and I was able to get rid of all their outgrown clothes on Freecycle . They would go really quickly and I sometimes had a couple of dozen people responding. I got to know some of them quite well.

Yes you do get some cheeky requests. Someone was getting divorced and asking for the entire contents for a house !

It is a very good way of sharing resources and it is surprising what people would take. Someone even took 6 spare bathroom tiles and half a pot of paint from me.

I tried to get on to Freecycle myself, but it was really difficult for some reason - though it was probably because of my rubbish computer skills.

Marelli have another go, it's worth it!

Mr P bought a new TV (when we have the shelves and cupboards built in the sitting room it will be too big, but he refused to send it back!)

This meant that the old tv was surplus to requirements. It was a good quality with excellent picture and different sound options, but it was a big bulky beast. I offered it on Freecycle, saying the make and that it was a 26" screen, but making it very clear that it was not a modern slim line one.

Somebody has asked for tv in walking distance of xx because she had no transport. I contacted her re our tv, and said I would even deliver it if she wanted it.

She asked for photos of it! I sent them and then never heard another word from her.

How rude!

Gorki I have got rid of several half pots of paint on Freecycle.

Almost every time DH takes my garden rubbish to the tip he comes back moaning about things he has seen thrown away which might have been useful to someone on Freecycle. I think it should be compulsory for council tips to publicise it so that people think before throwing away perfectly useable items.

It annoys me when they say "must be in good condition" or when they just don't turn up for something or indeed like your experience phoenix.
Someone on our Freecycle has threatened to name and shame no show-ers.

Generally it works well though.

Durham County Council does that, Moved.
We have a booklet called "Too good to throw away?" and it tells you who will take what.
When you go to the tip, they look at what you are bringing, and then there are places to put unused paint and electrical items.
In our local kerbside collections we can even put shoes and textiles.
They have a list of furniture recycling companies and they encourage you to go there if you want anything at low cost.
You see vans going to the tips to collect stuff for recycling.

Marelli I used to be on Fife Freecycle but the moderators changed and it doesn't seem to easy to get on to it now. I will go away and try again. I did have some suspicions that SOME people were taking away things in good condition - like prams (baby travel systems!) and then selling them on gumtree but I suppose you can't legislate for that. On the whole it is a great system.

I love Freecycle, my biggest find was a powder blue aga we were not the first to ask for it, but when the others turned up to collect they were going to use it for scrap value and the people getting rid of it wanted it to be used as it had been part of their family.
Strangest item I have seen offered was a used pencil

I find it very useful for getting rid of items eg a double bed or two arm chairs, that I would normally have to pay for to get taken away. I have to mention that eg for the double bed, 2 strong men and appropriate transport is required and the bed is on the first floor, not sitting in the hallway!

There are some who do not bother to turn up but on the whole people do and are grateful. I never give items to those who reply, "I want it and will be there to collect it within 30 minutes" (and the time is 11pm!) I expect a reasonable explanation for why they want what I have to offer.

I have been lucky enough to pick up dozens of books, a houseful of pot plants and a useful container for housing dry cat food to name a few.

My junk is someone else's treasure.

Our local Freecycle group became a Freegle group, something to do with central governance, to the user both are the same and I use it all the time for getting rid of stuff.

I love Freegle. I've given and received. It's a brilliant concept.

wisewoman - I'll try again! This morning, though, I did actually SELL my exercise bike on Facebay! I put it up for sale on the local site and I had a reply straight away from a person who offered me a bit less than I'd asked for but said they'd pick it up the next day for sure. Had it all ready, but she didn't show up. Put it back on again, and it sold straight away. When the buyer came to pick it up this morning, she tried to give me more than I'd asked for it ! I didn't accept it, but it just goes to show that you lose some/you win some!
...oh, and the reason I had to get rid of my exercise bike was that my great-grandson was finding it hard to get into his toy cupboard....

We dug up some ornamental grasses and they were quickly taken so I advertised again but this time said they had to come and dig them up themselves and I would supply the garden fork. Most were happy with that but one woman turned up late, wearing high heels and complained they weren't bagged up ready to take away! Another one came, collected his grasses and asked if we would like some raspberry plants which we were happy to accept.

I think the genuine freecyclers are a pretty good bunch, you just get the odd freeloader.

I've just arranged to give away a mattress. The person asked if I could deliver but I can't. He sounded genuine so I would have helped if I could because I know how difficult it is to have no transport.

DD got a whole fitted kitchen from freecycle including taps and hob. It was only 2 yrs old.
Brilliant site, except I'm never lucky enough to find what I want when I want it

I use Freecycle but a bit fed up with people who don't turn up. The latest was someone wanting a treadle sewing machine for an old folks home. I was getting rid of one from my mothers flat and offered it. She appeared to be thrilled and I managed to get it to my home to make collection easier. Never heard another word. I took it to an auction and got £40 for it. Like others though I have met some lovely people but now when offering things I do an advanced search on responders to see if they are takers rather than givers. Amazing how many people want everything without giving anything.

One of my sisters gave her daughter some things to give on freecycle. Then her daughter furnished her house through freecycle.

I have noticed someone on our local freecycle who has a name which reminds me of the word 'freeloader' and she is always asking but never giving!

"Movedalot" there are always some freeloaders and unfortunately some of them make good money on Ebay selling items that Freecyclers were kind enough to give away.

My local group moderators keep a close eye on what is going in and out and one of the rules is that items must be offered before one can start requesting or asking.

One or two have even asked for money until the title Freecycle has been pointed out. The rule is 3 strikes and one is out. It works well.

I put my grandsons wardrobe on Freecycle and the young girl and parents were so polite and friendly she went home with wardrobe matching small drawers and a bookshelf

An hour ago I put about 8 old psychology books that one of my dd's used at university in the early 90's on freegle, and have had three replies already.
I hate putting text books on the tip or recycling bin and always try freecycle/freegle first to see if anyone wants them. Not really suitable for charity shops, as such a specialised field.
I love Freecycle - especially when trying to de-clutter!

Whenever I have put anything on, i have had at least half-a-dozen replies at once, and a trickle more for several days after it has gone.

I don't give anything to anyone who appears to think they are doing me a favour by taking it away. I have had no-shows too. It really annoys me. If they change their mind, they surely could have the decency to phone and say so.

On our local one somebody had posted a "want" for (and I quote) "Fish Bowels" to use at their wedding.

I know that there are some funny practices in North Devon, but this is a new one on me!