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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be pissed off at Freecycle

43 replies

lolalament · 26/04/2017 22:07

I'm moving house, so trying to give away things I can't take with me. These are good things - amongst others I've got a washing machine, fridge, hoover, chairs etc

So far, I've had one person say they'll come tomorrow and then turn up this afternoon. That's a bit awkward as I was out, but they agreed to wait till I was back.
One person agreed a time then didn't turn up.
One person agreed a convenient time then changed their mind and said they'd come next week - even though I said in the advert that things had to go by Sunday.
One person has straight away asked if they can collect next week.

And many replies don't use capital letters, or even say please or thank you!

OP posts:

specialsubject · 26/04/2017 22:28

Fairly standard,I'm afraid.

If you have a furniture scheme nearby they will take it all, give it to the right people and not mess you about.

Woobeedoo · 26/04/2017 22:31

I hate Freecycle so much. I think because you're giving your things away the collector thinks that means they can turn up whenever they want.

I've lost count of the people who've 'forgotten, but I can come round next Thursday', or the ones who want to turn up right that very minute, or ones that think it's ok to arrive 4 hours late and start ringing the doorbell at 10pm.

I quit Freecycle when I got begging emails (yes, actual begging emails) for the Kilner jars I was wanting shot of.

Original poster

lolalament · 26/04/2017 22:32

No, you can't come to my house and say "oooh, I like that - can I have that too"!

OP posts:

GardenGeek · 26/04/2017 22:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SabineUndine · 26/04/2017 22:34

I think a lot of people on Freecycle lie about where they live. So they say they're out of town at the moment but in face they live 15 miles away so they have to work out when they can get to you. It's often a scam.

Original poster

lolalament · 26/04/2017 22:35

Well, if you want a fridge you can have mine!

OP posts:

annandale · 26/04/2017 22:36

On our street it is worth putting things outside for a few hours with 'Help yourself' sign on it - things nearly always go, though it's a street rather than an isolated road. We got a brilliant TV stand on wheels from a neighbour that way and got rid of a couple of bookcases and small tables. I think it's OK to do this as long as you don't leave them out overnight or block the pavement (no idea if it's legal though). If they don't go I plan to take them to the tip, or if they're good enough to be picked up by one of the furniture charities. My experience is that NOONE will take chairs though.

BlueyDragon · 26/04/2017 22:38

Perfectly normal IME. No time given and then turning up out of the blue, cancelling at the last minute, wanting items to be a certain way when they are clearly described as being something other, will I wash it beforehand, and - my all time favourite - would I deliver it 15 miles down the road as the person doesn't drive.

See also eBay and FB selling groups.

Smeaton · 26/04/2017 22:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

dangermouseisace · 26/04/2017 22:41

I find Facebook selling groups better- somehow if you charge for an item people actually turn up!

DancingLedge · 26/04/2017 22:43

I agree it's irritating.
But, when I was using free cycle for white goods etc, it was because I was skint. Properly, begging a lift from a friend to collect something for me cause I've no petrol money skint.
Disorganised because it's hard to keep your head above water when you've been made homeless with three kids skint.

Ok, absolutely doesn't excuse rudeness. But cut us some slack on the spelling and grammar, ok?

highinthesky · 26/04/2017 22:43

I've picked up a couple of excellent bits on Freecycle...it does require organisation and a bit of texting, though!

saladsmoothie · 26/04/2017 22:45

Agree with dangermouse. Give something away and people don't bother. Charge a quid for it and they turn up for their brilliant bargain.

Blimey01 · 26/04/2017 22:45

Annandale -When i lived in Oz they had a day once a month that people would put stuff outside their house they wanted to get rid of. You could just help yourself and anything left was picked up by a refuge company. It worked really well

oohloolala · 26/04/2017 22:47

I saw a British heart foundation van advertising free pick ups of stuff to donate, that might be worth a try

NeverDidit · 26/04/2017 23:03

I just leave things next to the pavement with a free sign on them. I don't live on a busy road but everything goes and goes quickly. Even broken appliences get taken -

Rockhopper81 · 26/04/2017 23:07

That's really annoying - I've responded (and collected, at the agreed time!) to a few things on Freecycle, and wouldn't dream of messing anyone around by not turning up/not turning up at the arranged time/asking if I can collect days after the date given.

People who do the above mentioned things spoil a system that's actually really helpful for a lot of people.

ActuallyThatsSUPREMECommander · 26/04/2017 23:12

Worth giving Emmaus a try OP
www.emmaus.org.uk/your_local_emmaus

Or BHF

EssentialHummus · 26/04/2017 23:21

BHF are fussy buggers IME.

I like freecycling but always either state the pickup times in the ad or say that the item is out front- works well.

highinthesky · 26/04/2017 23:37

Yes out front works well but I'd also encourage some discreet placement and fir the recipients to pick up asap.

We get randoms in white vans helping themselves to anything left outside, is this just a London thing?

WinkyisbackontheButterBeer · 26/04/2017 23:46

That's such a shame. I've only ever had good experiences with freecycle, both giving and receiving. Maybe it depends on area.

SleepOhHowIMissYou · 27/04/2017 00:44

DEBRA (charity for sufferers of EB which is the fragile skin disease, see The Boy whose Skin Fell Off documentary) collect furniture and white goods.

So do British Heart Foundation and Red Cross charities.

www.debra.org.uk/shop/shop-search
www.bhf.org.uk/shop/donating-goods/book-a-free-furniture-collection
www.redcross.org.uk/Get-involved/Our-shops/Our-specialist-shops/Furniture-and-electrical-charity-shops

Ihaveabloodyheadache · 27/04/2017 01:01

It's not just the recipients that can be awkward either, I don't drive and so I arrange with whoever is free to collect with me and pay fuel, three times I've arranged a time, done the above and arrived to find the person out twice (no further reply from one and second suggested another day, couldn't do that day so lost the item) and the third had given the item to someone else, and were 'just about to message'
I wasn't annoyed just really disappointed because I really needed those items, was incredibly grateful to be given them (in promise) and had taken my side seriously.
Mostly though, I have had some lovely items from some very generous people which I'm really grateful for.

pamish · 27/04/2017 01:03

I've usually found FC works OK. I do the, collect by x time and I will leave it hidden in my front yard, so they know if they leave it too late, someone else could nick it.

I always ask for their phone numbers as part of the emailing, so can call them if they don't show.

Most disappointing one was six almost new fence panels that my neighbours replaced with their own, I made their builders not take them to the skip with all the other rubble. So when about five sets of people didn't show, or decided they only wanted this one, I was left having to break them up (six foot panels ) so i could take them to the tip. Grrr.

RachelRagged · 27/04/2017 07:43

I agree with Annandale and sounds she lives somewhere who does things like we do . . ie anything metal unwanted is put by a telephone pole/post (so bikes etc. and they are soon gone) .
Other things put out by hedge and people will take them as they know they can take them if they wish too .
One of my sons dragged home a rather nice little coffee table unit once

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