We said we wouldn’t do it again but we did…and got the same result

I'm another who used Freecycle successfully when we last moved house. People came when they said they would.

You have to be very clear about what and when and not get bothered if people change their minds. You are the one giving away - if someone wants the item they should do any associated work - not you.

The labourer who works for the builder who did our renovation recently was moving house and took our kitchen equipment, most of which was relatively new and had been left by the previous owner. It's so nice when somebody appreciates what you give them, rather than quibbling about a tiny mark on the side or moaning when you won't deliver it.

My daughter has tried the local free sites to get rid of stuff but, as others have said, they very often don't turn up. When she's sold things for a small amount the buyers who do turn up always quarrel about what they'll give her.
When she's taken stuff from there she's normally turned up to collect it (single parent, with her two young children) only to find that is needs disassembling or carrying to the car and no-one to help her carry it.
We live on a large private estate and people simply go on our WhatsApp and offer it for nothing, or for a small sum if it's worth much or new. There are always people who are willing to help with moving it if you ask.
I've got rid of old baby chairs and various other things this way, at least you know it's going to be of use to someone else.
What irritates me is if someone takes something for nothing and then you see it advertised for sale.

We took most of my mother's furniture to the local Sue Ryder where they have regular auctions. They won't take upholstered furniture without a fireproof label. Last time we moved we asked a local charity to take a really nice pine table and the driver ummed and aahed about taking it when he arrived - I won't bother with them again. Many local authorities will take usable furniture or know people who will, it seems such a shame to just scrap it.

Yes I use freecycle. I've learnt a few things over the years. I go to first person to respond by email and tell them when it is convenient for them to call and see if they reply I also give them my post code (not the door number) if it's too far they won't come that's sorted from the off. If they can't do that I offer another time, but that's it. After that go onto next person when a date/time is agreed I give them my address. Regarding others I tell them someone is supposed to be collecting and should they not show I will get back to them. I don't get too much trouble and recently I gave away two matching sets of duvets and the person was so pleased he wrote back thanking me....nice.

Yes I’ve had the same thing happen, people contact say they are coming at certain times never bother, I give up now! Their loss as lot of my stuff is brand new unwanted presents, I just take to charity shop they are always pleased.

When my dm downsized . We used the BHF for furniture. They turn up on time and are happy to take furniture except sofas as they need a fire safety label . We used a local charity with a huge warehouse for smaller items. This charity gets used by film, tv and theatre people looking for props from certain periods .
The problem with free cycle etc is most people wanting stuff don’t have transport.

I still use Freecycle - but if the first person doesn't turn up I lose patience and just leave it outside. I'm amazed by what people will take if I simply leave it in the front garden (near the pavement but not on it) with a note saying 'New home needed, please take'.

I gave up on Freecycle the demands by fellow posters irritated me take photos deliver to me and worst of all not turning up.
I give to the charity YMCA now and they are unlike some charities very grateful for every contribution.

I never believe anyone will turn up until they're actually there. If someone gets there before them, that's the other person's bad luck. First come first served. No holding something back for someone who's not there yet and might never come.

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

No good for large kitchen items, and also no good if you’re not reasonably agile, but we have got rid of a lot of stuff at car boots.

We try and do one a year in the summer, some stuff you practically give away, but it clears space and nice to see people pleased with some of our old treasures.

Once I’ve had my use of something, I donate it to charity, give it away or take it to the recycling centre. I know I’ve lost money by doing this but I consider it’s my added donation to a good cause. I don’t want people whom I don’t know coming to my home, so for me it works.

yes, the world is full of time wasters and they live amongst us. Have any of you ever posted anything for sale on facebook maketplace? You get some right chancers on there 'oh please can i have your xbox listed for £100 for free because my dog has died and the kids are so sad' type stuff. It is shocking

Freecycle didn't really work for us, people rarely turned up. One exception was a lady who ran a cattery 100 miles away and wanted our new, unused laser printer. She arrived with a friend to do the lifting and a bunch of flowers for me.
When we sold our second home we gave the entire contents to a hospice charity but it cost us almost £500 to have it delivered and they charged us storage until they sold it.

I've had experience of time wasters on Freecycle too, one chap discarded the wall hook that we gave away with a hose pipe, on our front lawn! I reported it to Freecycle and he was banned.

I've also had some really lovely, genuinely grateful, people come for stuff. (Dare I say it, mostly Eastern Europeans).

I give away loads of things on Trash Nothing, which is an app which includes free cycle, freegle and other sites so reaches a wider audience. I always write on my post - “please let me know when you can collect. No time wasters please” I offer the item to the first person who lets me know when they can collect. I’ve just given away a Billy bookcase - lady came the same day , an high chair and a dvd player - loads of interest. Another good site is Olio where you can give away food and non food items. I don’t mind if they are dealers who are going to sell them on, good for them, if I wanted to sell them I would. I use Facebook marketplace if I want to sell an item and I’ve discovered Vinted where you can sell clothes and that’s quite easy to use.

I think that some people who really want/need a large item don't have transport, so it's impossible to pick it up. I've offered to deliver things that are car-sized but heavy, particularly if they are going to a care home or similar. I get really cross when people 'bag' things knowing that they have no means of getting them home, and just don't turn up or cancel at the last minute. I recently got rid of a sideboard (too big for a car) and two people did just that. One of them is a serial 'grabber', whose name seems to be first to crop up to take so many different kinds of things it's hard not to suspect she's selling them on. IME the free sites are worse for no-shows than ones where things are for sale.

we do curb alerts most things are gone by morning

We put things out on the kerb and they go within 24 hours. What is left we book a hard waste collection to remove. Amazing considering we live in a small cul de sac. No mucking around, though and we don’t have to deal with anyone. My daughter puts stuff on Facebook market for free pick up.

If they are items good enough to sell but, understandably from what you say, you don't want all the hassle, surely it would be better to take them to a charity shop than take them to the dump?

I used freecycle a lot when my OH died. There were no "no shows" at all and it was lovely to see the pleasure the items gave to the recipients.

Anyone use Shpock to send your unwanted items to a new home and make a bit of money?

I use a fairly local charity who collect items for free and then sell them for minor sums to people in need who have a referral from either the council or an authorised charity.

We used freecycle after finding local council would charge to take away a large fridge freezer. Couple came and took it thanking us profusely even sent photos of it on its new home.