Sorry, another rude freecycle one

[moogstera1]

offered a car roof box on freecycle. Not a cheap item to buy and it's in really good nick.
About half the replies simply say something like "yes please" or "I'll have it"
AIBU to think just a couple of polite words are common courtesy when trying to be offered something worth at least £100

[Paiviaso]

I'm curious as what you want them to say??

Surely all you can say is, "I'd like it please" or some variant and wait to find out if it's still available.

[slartybartfast]

why dont you sell it?

[ManifestingMingeHooHoosAgain]

Hope you have a hard hat

I totally agree though. Replies saying -

Can I have this
sent by my iPhone

get deleted by me.

No hello, thanks, kiss my arse or nothing, as we say ooop North. Manners cost nothing and all that.

[McChristmasPants2012]

What are the replys you are getting

[EdsRedeemingQualities]

I'd want them to say, Hi, just wondered whether this was still available please? If it is I'd be really interested as we are about to go to such and such and can't afford to get one new, and are struggling to fit everything into our car! If you might be willingto consider us then please reply on [phone number] or email or whatever.

That is what I'd respond to.

[EdsRedeemingQualities]

Btw in case of confusion I don't want the roof box! just an example of a polite request.

[Nicknamenotavailableeither]

I agree it's rude!! I've recently offered quite a few bits on free cycle and have had similar responses... It's quite disheartening really.

Obviously you don't want (or expect) a bit spiel but more than half a sentence with some manners would be nice!

Also, I have had people not turn up to collect, and not get in touch to explain why. Now that is really annoying!

So no, YANBU

[ImperialFireworksInMyKnickers]

So you want people to grovel to you before you let them have your charity?

[EdsRedeemingQualities]

I don't think what I wrote is grovelling.

[CanIHaveAPetGiraffePlease]

I agreee. Doesn't take long. To be polite so those replies get deleted here too!

[Chopstheduck]

I only reply to ones that are polite and at least have basic manners. I don't think it is grovelling neither.


I think a lot of the yes please ones are prob just trying to get in there quick before anyone else though!

[moogstera1]

Not grovel, no; but when I reply to someone I say something along the lines of " please could you consider me for this. it would get a lot of use and be really appreciated".
I just think it's rather short sighted to be rude as of course people are going to give to the friendlier people or ones with at least the most basic grasp of manners

[Paiviaso]

Wow, so people need to justify their need for the item to you? In your example, you have the person telling you where they are going on holiday, their financial status, and grovelling.

Remember these people are emailing a stranger who wants to get rid of something. I certainly would not tell all those details to a stranger!

It is a simple exchange. You want ride or item X. Person emails you saying I'd like to collect item X. You give them your address. That's all it should be!

[Paiviaso]

*rid of

[moogstera1]

I'm not selling it as I was kindly given it so it seems greedy to make a profit on it

[EdsRedeemingQualities]

You don't have to give all those details but yes I'd expect a please and a bit of humility....not just 'I'll have it'.

[mamamibbo]

i answer with "i would really appreciate the if its still available

never ever ever get it tho

[Paiviaso]

"If you might be willing to consider us..." FFS it is not a job interview.

[mamamibbo]

please" not sure where that last bit went...

[slartybartfast]

i bet the person who receives it from you will sell it,

i think with freecycle you have to excpet all sorts. there are some grabbers out there. or some people just dont know how to be polite

[OneOfMyTurnsComingOn]

Id love a roof box and would be happy to grovel for it

[silverten]

The 'yes please I'll have it' replies are basically because they have an automatic reply set up to respond to all the messages posted to the group.

Then when they get responses from people offering stuff, they only bother to reply to the ones they actually want.

This is why a personalised response which actually mentions the item and what they might do with it or why they need it is worth sending, and why it is worth ignoring the short replies that don't really say anything.

No point getting huffy about telling total strangers such innocuous details as the fact that your car is small. If you want the free thing you're going to have to put some effort into it.

[moogstera1]

it was an example ( by someone else) I wouldn't expect them to yes "I@m off to butlins in Skegness on this date, this is my address, I earn this amount, I have £1,200 in savings" Just a couple of friendly lines of we'r eoff on hols soon and this would be really uyseful.

[booksinbed]

hI - agreed with you - good manners cost nothing and thet are not grovelling.Suspect that a lot of dealers attatch phones to freecycle and therefore may be rushing to get reply??? ive heard this happens locally as its rare folk get anything of freecycle.However do think its agood thing so that s no reason not to use freecycle.

[SecretCervix]

YANBU, I send a polite email to the effect of Please could you consider me for this , it would come in really useful. Thank you very much"