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Original poster

I have an idea. Is it a really bad one?

37 replies

springgreensunshine · 12/05/2019 17:57

I want to hire a hall somewhere, collect up people's unnecessary possessions and let other people come and take them away for free.

The whole purpose of this would be so that things could find a useful home, and people could get something they want or need without needing a brand new one. Not to make money or anything, just pass things on.

How do you think I could make this work? I don't want to end up with a village hall full of junk I then have to take to landfill.

I was thinking the things have to be useable, maybe each person can only donate 10 things. If things are completely free do you think people would come and take them away? I wouldn't care if people came and took 20 things each, at least the things would be getting used.

Looking around my house I could donate 2 garlic presses (we have 3), lots of decorative indoor plant pots, they seem to be a favourite gift in our family, a spare ironing board, lots of kitchen plastic tubs (with correct lids, we just have way too many). The kids have some toys, like a random plastic superman figure, some odd Paw Patrol figures, jigsaws, again I wouldn't mind if a kid came in and took 10 toys away, at least they are being played with by someone new.

Critique my idea please, I want to know everything that might go wrong so I don't end up with a van load of everyone else's unwanted rubbish. I guess the biggest risk is that everyone gives and no-one takes, but I figure in an average sized town there will be enough people who will take things if they are free.

OP posts:
IDoAllMyOwnStunts · 12/05/2019 18:01

I think that’s lovely but it could end up in fights over stuff 🤣. And you start village rifts that last for years!

IDoAllMyOwnStunts · 12/05/2019 18:02

Definitely need a limit on number of items. And no crap. Are you making a rule that you can only take away if you brought something?

People love a freebie and it’s a great way of recycling.

UCOinanOCG · 12/05/2019 18:03

Is that not just a jumble sale? They were all the rage in the 60's/70's. Off load all your old tat and let it be 'sold' for charity. Donations would work too.

1MillionSelfiesTakenByMyKids · 12/05/2019 18:06

just list them on Freecycle or add them to a local FB group as FREE. At least then people can search for what they want

Original poster
springgreensunshine · 12/05/2019 18:07

I guess it's like a free jumble sale. I think people are more likely to take things if they are free. I can't be bothered haggling with people over 50p like you have to at car boot sales. I just want things to be used. The charity shops round our way are all going a bit up-market and won't always take things like 1 superman toy or a plastic box, even if it is as good as new.

I hadn't thought about fights breaking out though!

OP posts:
Original poster
springgreensunshine · 12/05/2019 18:10

just list them on Freecycle or add them to a local FB group as FREE

But then I have to organise to be in for someone to come and collect something every time. Or maybe someone is looking for a few things and would have to travel to several different places. I'm not sure I would travel too far for one garlic press, I would probably just buy a new one next time I was in the supermarket.

OP posts:
BertieDrapper · 12/05/2019 18:10

I think one issue could be people will taste things to then sell on!
Which could cause some upset!

spaniorita · 12/05/2019 18:11

Who is responsible for all the tat stuff that people bring but nobody takes?

Strugglingtodomybest · 12/05/2019 18:11

We have a local Facebook group specifically for giving stuff away for free (stuff that can't go to charity but someone can find a use for). It's very busy, so I think that it won't be a problem getting people to take stuff, but not everything will go so you will need to plan for that.

Ces6 · 12/05/2019 18:14

Have a jumble sale - you can keep the prices really low but people will just give you junk if you say it's for free.

Strugglingtodomybest · 12/05/2019 18:14

But then I have to organise to be in for someone to come and collect something every time

I leave things outside if I'm not going to be in.

I think one issue could be people will taste things to then sell on!

Yes, this became an issue in our Facebook group at one point, I think the worst offenders were kicked out.

LIZS · 12/05/2019 18:14

A free bring and buy sale ? You will get left with crud afterwards though, some ok , some rubbish.

Gazelda · 12/05/2019 18:15

You'd need a big team of sorters to categorise the items before doors open.

I suspect you'll have a load of junk that you'll need to dispose of after the event. And have to split it into categories at the tip. Pain in the arse.
You could sell refreshments for pennies, or offer for the scouts or brownies to do this and to keep the profits for their funds.
You could ask for monetary donations for a local charity
You'd need to hold it in a place that has car park
Make and publicise rules ahead of time eg no car seats, items larger than a piano etc.
Do you have a local eco group that might support it with volunteers? Or a school that can take it on as a project?
I bet you'd get some great local publicity.

FiremanKing · 12/05/2019 18:17

On my Nextdoor.com everyone is already giving away stuff for free.

You will have people with the red mist grabbing as much as possible and hitting anyone in their way and all for you footing the cost of the hall.

You might even have to be responsible for insurance and a cleaner as well.

GreenTulips · 12/05/2019 18:18

Where we live the local tip have an out building where people drop off useful items and others can take them for free

Books toys bikes electronics tables chairs - you name it!!

Maybe approach the council?

sunandginandBob · 12/05/2019 18:21

Freegle/freecycle, but drop things off instead of waiting in for people. Works like a charm.

FiremanKing · 12/05/2019 18:22

Who remembers this?

JoyceDivision · 12/05/2019 18:25

Op for your own stuff why not try acar boot sale with everything free? It would go!

BroomstickOfLove · 12/05/2019 18:26

There's an area near me where the residents are doing something similar, but instead of hiring a hall, everyone will leave stuff in boxes outside their houses, and you can just walk around taking stuff you need. There have been posters up for several weeks.

VioletBow · 12/05/2019 18:32

We have this in my local community centre. People bring the stuff they want to get rid off that still has use and they also have people there who are able to repair things. They hold it every couple of months and it's lovely

I have an idea. Is it a really bad one?
SarfE4sticated · 12/05/2019 18:36

I think it's a great idea, but you should class it as a jumble sale and get people to pay - like 50p an item or something. What will be annoying is that you will just end up with everything that doesn't sell and it will be your responsibility to get rid of it.

Sleephead1 · 12/05/2019 18:36

they have swap shops in our area they limit numbers and you can bring one thing take one thing ECT

Strugglingtodomybest · 12/05/2019 18:36

That's a good idea Broomstick, I might nick that!

00100001 · 12/05/2019 18:44

Who would foot the cost of hiring the hall?

Who will be responsible for checking and putting items out? And what will pass muster?

Who will be responsible for all the stuff that is left over, where will it go?

julensaor · 12/05/2019 18:46

I would just be concerned about what was left, you'll have to pay the cost of dumping it? Say someone brings in a microwave, are you going to check it works? Someone takes it and it doesn't work and they come back to you pissed off, what do you do? It's a nice idea but seems fraught with responsibility for you. It seems to work though for @VioletBow but you would have to have strict guidelines in place. No good deed goes unpunished Smile