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

Emmäus are brilliant. They’ll take whatever you have, renovate, recycle or sell as it is. They’ll pick up your stuff for free. We used the French organisation when we were clearing our house there recently. They provide work in their workshops and accommodation for their workers, who would be homeless otherwise. Facebay can be all right but lots of scammers about, who get very nasty when you won’t pay a carrier for the transport upfront (they say they’ll repay you - don’t believe a word! )

Our local Facebook area has a Reuse and Recycle page that is really good. I’m always amazed what people offer and it all seems to go. You put the item on for a minimum of a hour. And then do a draw to offer (if there is more than one request) Because it’s local most people are reliable.

Yes I agree. BHF are always grateful for anything donated, as long as it’s in decent, clean condition. I’ve donated several large items. They pick up too which is a bonus!

Had similar experiences using free recycling sites, but had good results donating to BHF and using nextdoor.com.

I use Facebook marketplace to get rid of stuff for free,it usually works well. To make sure it is gone quick I always say must be collected today no holding.

I have used Nextdoor to give things away for free, and most people have been extremely grateful, and have even given me a small thank you gift.
I have had a few time wasters on Gumtree. They disappear into oblivion once you try and get them to tell you when they will be collecting.
I haven't used Freegle for a while.

I saw a ‘Wanted’ ad on my local ‘ Next Door’ - the Neighbourhood site. They wanted boxes for moving I had a few strong moving boxes, as I’d recently had a load delivered to me (with things in from an auction). so rather then recycle I answered the Ad and arranged a time for him to collect. He didn’t turn up , no word, so emailed him to ask, he said sorry and arranged another /day - again no show - so fed up with this after a week I put them up on the same site with a note that I’d been let down by X and anyone else interested. He had the gall to complain that I’d named him! THEN A person who literally lived just around the corner answered, ‘just what she was looking for’ …. Arranged time - No show - didn’t know her house number and they were too bulky for me to deliver, so tried again - arranged - No show! I put them out for recycling! Also for the first man I answered to his ‘want ‘ I had also put ready bubble wrap for him ! I got a reply from the Next door site from another lady who said she’d also answered him and again - no show twice!! Who are these people who have all your info but can’t be bothered to contact you and say they’ve changed their minds or have a problem and can’t come??? I despair! Having said that, a long time ago I did advertise a couple of things on Gumtree for money and the people who answered came and collected and PAID. They were older peoples - the ones who didn’t bother to come or apologise were younger - What is it with no manners nowadays?

Joseanne

The delivery issue is problematic when trying to offer large items for free. I currently have a big John Lewis larder fridge only 3 years old that I no longer need in our new kitchen, but I can't be expected to deliver it however close the people who want it might be.

I've kept my Dad's fridge freezer, it's in my garage. We switch it on at Christmas for all the extra food and it's really useful!

Similar experience with Facebook Marketplace.

One guy messed me around with collection times and when he eventually turned up said he didn't have any money so could he take the items on his way to the cash machine...........

Another couple turned up on time for some tall IKEA bookcases. I couldn't imagine how they were going to fit them in their small car. No matter, they proceeded to dismantle them in our living room where we had been watching TV. I automatically started to help until I caught my husbands eye..... we sheepishly moved to the kitchen and left them to it..........one hour later they were gone!

Have you considered charities who will collect from your house?

Crazygranny, sadly jumble sales are a thing of the past in a lot of areas.

Yeah - same experience with selling things on local face book. Will you deliver? No it’s £5 it’s worth £25-£30 new, I don’t drive, if you want it that badly surely you can come and collect it. Or the ones that turn up to collect and say at that point ‘oh will you accept £xx ?’

I always arrange larger unwanted items to be picked up by a local charity prior to moving or when just clearing out. It’s free and I know they go to a good cause which helps raise much needed money plus gives someone a bargain. A win win situation as far as I’m concerned. From what I’ve heard from others these free sites are a bit hit and miss.

I've got rid of loads of things on our local Freecycle site. Nearly always women who come to collect! Yes, there have been a couple of timewasters, but most things get snapped up within 24 hours. However, there is one individual who keeps on snaffling items as soon as they are put onto the site - rumour is that she sells the stuff at car boot sales each weekend! Most people don't mind though - they just want rid of their items.

If you live in a city the charities collect, no problem but if you are more rural or out of town they don't in my experience.
(Deep sigh)
It's about time we copy NZ where you weigh your car before and after and pay to deposit things in the recycle.
It is well staffed and you are told exactly where to put your stuff. My DS tells me this

There is a tip shop as well where you can buy things others have dumped.

Here our local recycle tries hard but they aren't able to take old fridges and often you are just told to put it all in the general waste skip.

I love your exception Harrigran

harrigran

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.

That is just ridiculous- they are getting the stuff for free, and charge you for them storing it uny they sell it? Mickey taking.

Yes and I had the same experience, so I added to the post. Only polite enquiries will be responded to.
One was very rude as I wouldn’t deliver , I’m not backwards in coming forwards so he got an earful.
I’ve never used since then

These sites are a form of entertainment for some sad people.
I’ve tried them and would be very reluctant to use then again.
I will be amazed if the guy that failed to turn up last night turns up tonight but Good Luck!

I've had similar with freecycle and it took 7 attempts to get rid of a blue rug. I've had similar though with Facebook Marketplace . I once had a chap contacting me to ask if I had second hand towels ( I was selling a massage table) and wanted me to take photos . I had a woman that promised to come for some Lladro and never turned up. I will not repeat my language with the timewasters that are around. They seem to get a kick out of not turning up after you have made a special effort to stay in and provide directions.
Yet I've also met a few nice people - one was so nice and polite, when I had more things to offer I just emailed him direct. He turned up as promised and was very grateful.
I had a bed and matress which had not been used more than 5 times. As there was a tiny mark ( less than half an inch) on the underneath of the matress , the charity would not take it nor the unmarked frame and headboard as the charity wanted a set. I managed to sell it for about £30 but the intention was to donate to charity. Charities are far too picky as I'd seen dirtier matresses in showrooms.
To be blunt some people are a*holes!

Look out for locally held jumble sales next time. We hold 4 each year for different charities and are always glad of donations. We began in 2004 and have raised almost £70000 for a variety of good causes.

When we downsized I put the old kitchen on freecycle. Someone promised to come round so I waited in all day. When it got to about 4pm I phoned her to ask if she was coming to which her response was “we drove past (I had the good in the front garden) ” and decided they were not suitable! She could have rang the bell and told me so I could have let them go to someone else who was interested.

Don't forget your local auction rooms. Over the years we have sold a lot of items, not just furniture that way. Visit on a viewing day to see the kind of things they sell and then discuss with them what you want to sell.

I try an sell stuff on sites no interest unless you can deliver at no extra cost (annoying) they usually try to offer you less (annoying) if you put stuff on for free like flies an still want you to deliver I've got fed up doing this rather just take to charity shop it's out of the way and less hassle good luck

I’ve used Freegle and Freecycle many times over the past few years, both to give stuff and ask for specific items. I’ve never had a problem with people asking me to deliver or not turning up so I’m happy to use it.

I’ve used Freecycle and latterly Freegle for nearly 20 years with very few problems except that I think far fewer people look at these sites nowadays because of all the other social media opportunities. Most of those who have collected stuff from me have been polite, punctual and pleased with what I’ve offered. I don’t deliver and no longer post anything as I wasn’t refunded the postage cost as promised. BHF, however, let me down badly when despite having received a photo of the sofa I’d offered and confirmed all was OK, they turned up and refused to take it. I’d travelled over 30 miles to meet them at the property (a holiday chalet being cleared prior to sale) but apparently the sofa wasn’t sellable because one back cushion was slightly faded even though it was otherwise in excellent condition. You have to remember that they are not interested in taking items for people in need - only to raise money for their charity. Sofas are notoriously difficult to re-home and we had to chop this one up and take it to the tip.

Yes and yes also had alot of time wasters on there. A pre lit Xmas tree was picked up for a local church though so it felt good to see it being useful .