to think I'd knock on the door to say thanks if I collected something Freecycle?

33 replies

TattyDevine · 11/09/2011 16:39

Had to get rid of a guest bed (pine bedstead, single, with trundle underneath and 2 mattresses)

Selected an interested party who emailed their interest, gave address details, arranged a mutually convenient time, and told them I'd see them then. Also gave my mobile number in case they got lost etc.

Due to the size of the items and the cumbersomness of dragging them about, DH moved them from the shed to the front of the house about 10 minutes before she was due to collect.

She turned up pretty much on time, maybe a couple of minutes early because when I looked at the clock to see if I should "look out" for her, it was only just the time she said she'd come. Walked round to the front of the house and noticed the blue shadow one of the mattresses had been casting on our porch wasn't there anymore - then realised that she had turned up and collected them without knocking.

Okay, so I wanted her to collect the items and that is what she did, so I have no issue as such however I thought it fairly odd that someone would not knock on the door and say "hi, I'm xxx, I'm here to take the bed if that's okay?

Would you knock, or would you grab and go?

OP posts:

CharlieMcGee · 11/09/2011 17:28

We freecycled a sofa today and did the same as op and put it outside.
The person collecting it knocked on the door said thanks and took it.

freesiaLiliy · 11/09/2011 17:33

aww I though giving a token of thanks was a nice idea if you could afford it and obviously not to be expected, down to the individual. its just polite to say thanks in some way by not, e-mail, gift or whatever when you are given anything even something people want rid of IMO.

Cereal · 11/09/2011 17:37

I would assume it was outside because you didn't want to be disturbed. I'd send a thank you email later.

dearheart · 11/09/2011 17:47

I would just take it, assuming that you didn't want to be disturbed. I have given away several things via freecycle, and am grateful to get them out of the house without having to drive to the dump. Have never expected nor received a gift.

Original poster

TattyDevine · 11/09/2011 20:29

I would never expect a gift either, that is against the Freecycle rules.

I didn't necessarily even expect "thanks" but was slightly disconcerted with the fact this bed just dissapeared without me knowing initially that it was her that took it.

I know what you mean about it being left outside, that's obviously what made her think she shouldn't knock, but obviously I wasn't going to bring it from the shed into the house just to make her knock if that makes sence. DH just brought it round the front from the back, if that makes sense. If I'd had to put the mattresses up against the wall it probably would have smegged up my paintwork and then the kids would have been trying to climb on the bed and make a cubby house out of it and god knows what so it was better off outside but obviously she didn't know this was my reasoning.