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Would an MN "Freecycle" section be a good idea?

27 replies

MadameDefarge · 29/10/2009 18:29

I'm just thinking that there are so many of us with kids stuff, and other stuff that we would love to give a good home to...and i for one never get around to going to the charity shop.

Maybe we could post all our stuff we don't need anymore with a "going to charity shop" deadline, and all the recipient needs to do is to pay for postage? (or collect if near enough.

Or would that be a bit tricky to administer and cause massive headaches/crossness/falling outs?

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MadameDefarge · 29/10/2009 18:30

I'm bumping because I also never look in "unanswered messages'

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Mamazonabroomstick · 29/10/2009 18:30

My DD seems to grow out of clothes after one wear. but we don't know any little girls to pass them on to.
I would love the idea, but my fear would be that it would attract people who simply sit and lurk on that specific topic.

serenity · 29/10/2009 18:32

There is a free for postage topic isn't there? I definitely posted on something similar a few weeks ago.

Dumbledoresgirl · 29/10/2009 18:33

Just prepare for some people to take the stuff off your hands and instantly ebay it. Sorry to be so distrusting of fellow Mners but this is what happened in the days when you didn't have to pay to use the for sale boards.

I was thinking a sort of swap shop would be better.

MadameDefarge · 29/10/2009 18:33

oh, sort of abuse it for commercial purposes you mean? Yes. could be a problem.

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MadameDefarge · 29/10/2009 18:35

ah, never seen the free for postage bit...rather a well-kept MN secret! Where does it lurk?

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Dumbledoresgirl · 29/10/2009 18:36

I like the theory behind the idea though. The for sale boards are useless and might as well be abandoned. I could offer my house for sale for £20 on there and no-one would respond. (Currently trying to sell as good as new books )

southeastastra · 29/10/2009 18:37

i was giving away my indoor rabbit hutch the other week, no-one wanted it. it's nice too.

i'll buy your house for £20 dg

MadameDefarge · 29/10/2009 18:39

Perhaps its a question of repositioning the topic? have it visible rather than having to burrow?

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Dumbledoresgirl · 29/10/2009 18:42

I don't know how long you have been on MN MadameDefarge but I presume you were not around when the sale boards fiasco happened.

It's hidden position now reflects how people ended up feeling about it.

SEA, how about swapping your rabbit hutch for my house? Oh you mean a real rabbit hutch?!

MadameDefarge · 29/10/2009 18:44

AH DG, only about 6 months...should have known there would be an MN back story...it seems that such an obvious idea of course its been thought of before!

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Dumbledoresgirl · 29/10/2009 18:46

You contribute yourself MadameDefarge, I am sure that is loveliness itself.

MadameDefarge · 29/10/2009 18:53

oooh! you smooth talker, you!

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Dumbledoresgirl · 29/10/2009 18:56

serenity · 29/10/2009 18:58

MadameDefarge - Click on topics, then classified, then see more and there's a 'for free' topic here

It didn't really work for me either. By the time I got someone who was possibly interested, I'd got rid of my items via something else!

serenity · 29/10/2009 19:01

Just had a look at it and there's an awful lot of stuff on there with rather large 'postage' costs, which seems a bit cheeky.

MadameDefarge · 29/10/2009 19:11

teeny idea... how about it being a "desperately seeking" only topic? that way Mnetters who needed stuff can ask, and those who have can offer if they feel comfortable...

but doesn't get rid of suspiciously high postage costs...or solve the problem of disposing of gear you don't need anymore...

sigh.

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MadameDefarge · 29/10/2009 19:13

aha! finally seen it!

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bran · 29/10/2009 19:30

I've given a fair amount of stuff away on the "for free" topic. I sometimes say preference will be given to regular posters to try and avoid the selling on problem. I usually wait until someone's interested and then weigh it and give the first/second class postage cost.

MadameDefarge · 29/10/2009 19:43

I suppose its just one of those "less than perfect but better than before solutions" because of course newish folk here have no idea it exists...

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ATortoiseisBetterThanABlackCat · 29/10/2009 19:45

I have offered on the For Free section but not had much interest for anything. Easier to charity shop really. Saves on packaging up and posting.

I do think it is a good idea though.

cat64 · 29/10/2009 20:08

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bran · 29/10/2009 20:22

Actually, I find it less hassle to post stuff than to wait around for Freegle people. That's probably because it's hard to find the front door to my building so I end up talking them in on the phone for the last hundred metres.

One (especially dim guy) was over an hour late because he got lost, and then I spent 10 mins trying to tell him where the front door was while also cooking dinner. I sent my friend out with him, partly to help carry the desk but really because I wasn't confident that he would find his way back to the car.

Of course I couldn't have posted the desk, but I have given away stuff on MN that was pick-up only. I think it's made easier for me because I live near where lots of people work, I probably wouldn't be able to do it if I lived somewhere more remote. I don't know why I didn't think to offer the desk on here first, for some reason I only think about offering child-related things on MN.

nannynick · 29/10/2009 20:27

Maybe it could be something that could go on Mumsnet Local. I know local isn't use that much in some areas, but if it had listings of that type, then maybe local would be used more.

MadameDefarge · 29/10/2009 22:14

nannynick, that's inspired...!

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