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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask why you don’t collect stuff from Freecycle

32 replies

Merryoldgoat · 10/12/2021 19:42

I’m having a big clearout as I’ve had some new furniture etc and put lots on freecycle.

The number of people who beg for something and don’t bloody collect! Why? No ones forcing you!

Just message and say ‘changed my mind’ so I know what’s going on.

Rant over.

OP posts:
IAmHereForTheFood · 10/12/2021 20:07

Same with Olio.

I listed something free. I had 4 different people say they wanted it then ignored messages asking when would they like to collect or did they still want it.

I won’t bother again.

TurnUpTurnip · 10/12/2021 20:36

Agree about olio, ordered a takeaway, wrong order sent, I put it on there straight away as Uber eats refunded me and I didnt eat the food that was delivered, put the items on and it was the best thing in the area as most of the listings were old rotten veg, a man said he wanted it and just never showed up, no message to cancel, I will never bother again I will just chuck it in the bin!

Eileen101 · 10/12/2021 20:39

Yanbu. Answered some wanted posts on our area group for baby clothes and got ghosted by people when I asked them when they wanted to collect. So rude. Would be less than 30 seconds to say sorry, changed my mind.

Echobelly · 10/12/2021 20:47

I wonder if it's a sign on Freecycle of people who just reply to everything because they pick up stuff to sell it on, but then they can't be arsed.

I think sometimes people might just be a bit 'Oooh, free stuff', but then if the slightest things comes up to put them off (headache, feeling tired, etc) they decide they can't be arsed.

Always picked up stuff myself, I should add.

I don't think I've had any total no shows, but I did have the weirdest one years ago once when someone said they were on their way, didn't appear. We went to bed and the bell rung at literally after midnight and they were there asking for the thing - which was giant, incredibly heavy old-style non-flat TV, that was still in the basement because we weren't going to take it up unless the person was there given it'd be a lot of effort. Obviously as we'd been gotten out of bed, no, we weren't going to do that. They complained that they'd got a friend to drive them there from what turned out to be somewhere absolutely miles away, but we still refused. I mean maybe they could have worked it out and realised it wouldn't be on, or in the very least message and ask if after midnight would be OK!

kayakingmum · 10/12/2021 20:54

From my experience people who respond to Freecycle offers are far better and more reliable than people who respond to Facebook market place.
I don't bother with Facebook market place now.

KirstenBlest · 10/12/2021 20:57

Your replies might be going to their junk folder

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 10/12/2021 21:00

They have online messaging now so you can see the messages.

I agree and don’t bother with FB.

OP posts:
Octothorpe · 10/12/2021 21:00

I hear you, OP. We had some stuff on recently. All new and pristine, as we're decluttering. Decided to split it into lots because it just seemed fairer (and tbh, it would be easy to sell - we preferred people to use the stuff).

First response was 'I'll have all of it'. Er, nope, you won't!

We then had about two weeks of trying to pin people down to actually collect. It's hard work - and you're trying to do a nice thing!

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 10/12/2021 21:38

@Octothorpe

Oh that sounds nightmarish.

I’ve got a load of leftover tiles from my bathroom refurb too but I’m gonna get so messed about I’m delaying.

OP posts:
Namechangeforthis88 · 10/12/2021 21:48

Nextdoor people tend to be more reliable than Facebook people, but sometimes no takers on Nextdoor. I think my record was about 10 "is this still available" messages on Facebook for a wardrobe, all of whom then went complete radio silence. I think they have it automated.

mumda · 10/12/2021 22:14

I assume their other half told them to stop collecting stuff they don't need.
Have successfully given away some rocks. More than a car load. Car barely scraped away when they left. He looked furious but she was happy as anything.
I assume they made it past the speed bumps and home.

Gave away a load of old computer stuff too. Gave the lad off with a really high quality monitor too.

Gave up on two lots of stuff recently and it's gone to wait for the scout's jumble.

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 10/12/2021 22:38

@mumda

Sorry but this is really funny.

I’m on a furniture ban - the record was a conversation with DH at 10am about not getting more furniture. He went to supermarket at 11 and by the time he got back I’d seen a new sideboard and had it delivered Blush

OP posts:
MurielSpriggs · 10/12/2021 22:49

We've long ago given up with anything like this! Charity shop or skip - it's the only way.

LookslovelyinSpringtime · 10/12/2021 23:11

I’ve got rid of a lot of stuff on Freecycle. I generally find people quite reliable.

CastleCrasher · 10/12/2021 23:13

I honestly think some people think that because it's free they are doing you a favour if they take the item, and therefore don't "owe you" a text if they change their mind. It's bloody cheeky and happens far too often.

I've started putting stuff on at a low price and when the person arrives to collect (which they do far more than when the items are free) I just give it to them for free

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 10/12/2021 23:55

@CastleCrasher

That’s a good idea!

OP posts:
HeddaGarbled · 11/12/2021 00:07

I honestly think some people think that because it's free they are doing you a favour if they take the item

The converse of this is some people use Freecycle and the like as a way of getting rid of stuff they don’t want without having to make the effort of going to the recycling centre or paying for the council to take it away, whilst also feeling the glow of generosity.

British Heart Foundation is good for collecting genuinely useful second hand furniture.

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 11/12/2021 11:34

The converse of this is some people use Freecycle and the like as a way of getting rid of stuff they don’t want without having to make the effort of going to the recycling centre or paying for the council to take it away, whilst also feeling the glow of generosity

I live a road away from the recycling centre - the stuff I’m giving away is really good quality. I get inundated with requests so people want it, just can’t be arsed to actually collect it.

OP posts:
LookslovelyinSpringtime · 11/12/2021 15:30

Why would people send stuff for recycling or take it to the dump when it could be of use to someone? What a stupid remark. I have had loads of stuff collected and also picked some stuff up. Aloe vera plants, all sorts. Better to chuck them in the bin then?

GemmaRuby · 11/12/2021 15:40

Hate it when people do this - so rude. It’s not difficult to message and say they don’t want it any more / can’t come.

toconclude · 11/12/2021 16:33

@HeddaGarbled

I honestly think some people think that because it's free they are doing you a favour if they take the item

The converse of this is some people use Freecycle and the like as a way of getting rid of stuff they don’t want without having to make the effort of going to the recycling centre or paying for the council to take it away, whilst also feeling the glow of generosity.

British Heart Foundation is good for collecting genuinely useful second hand furniture.

There is however a lot they won't take which is in perfectly good condition, and won't tell you until they arrive. Bad experience trying to clear my late mother's house 70 miles away and taking time off work to do it.
TheWayTheLightFalls · 11/12/2021 16:40

Yup. I just put things on the street now, with a FB post saying first come first served if I can. Goes every time.

earsup · 11/12/2021 16:46

I have a re use centre at local dump so take stuff there or put outside with a note....i almost had a breakdown clearing my late aunts house using free cycle and face book etc....some even moaned that items wouldnt fit in their car and had to rent a van even tho i gave the sizes etc...not surpriesed a lot of stuff is fly tipped these days....so many time wasters who never show up.

cobblers123 · 11/12/2021 16:54

When we cleared my dad's place recently, we put loads out the front garden with a big notice saying FREE. A lot was taken and what was left went in the skip.

I did put plenty on Freecycle and a lot of people did collect but there were a few who were a complete waste of time in asking for things then ...nothing!!

Dextersmumhasgotitgoingon · 11/12/2021 17:18

Urg, I hear you. Even if it's not free, people can be so strange when it comes to pick ups. I had one guy say he wanted a bike I was selling. We agree a time and day. On the day, he messaged asking if we were still on. He then messaged me when he left work, saying he'd be 20 mins. After an hour I asked if he was still coming to which he answered that he was in the way. Never showed up. Messaged again a few hours later and he'd blocked me.

Still don't have a clue what could have been happening his end but it was a strange waste of his and my time. He could have just said he'd changed his mind!

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