Always same people getting free shit from neighbourhood FB

[CoddlingMolly]

The rest of us are at work so it ends up always being the same (privileged) people responding to great offers of nice free stuff going in our neighbourhood. They reply like 2 min after a person posts.
It's like a double whammy, they're wealthy enough to not have to work and that also gets them free stuff or bargains...

It annoys the hell out of me!!

Sorry if I touched a nerve

Ignoring the goadiness and the question of how you could know about the circumstances of others - how would you suggest people allocate free items?

I ask because I've been free-cycling a lot recently and I genuinely don't know what method to use other than first poster? What criteria should I be using? Bearing in mind all I want is for someone to come and take my stuff away?

Why are you so bothered?

How do you know they are privileged? You know there are people at home in the day because they aren’t working and on UC? You know there are people at home during the day because they are weekend workers or shift workers or working the night shifts?

In most cases when I’ve posted on free groups, I’ve posted outside of working hours and admins don’t approve the post until working hours. If that’s the case, maybe volunteer to be an admin (don’t just complain to them that they aren’t flexible around your schedule but try to be part of the solution).

It’s true. I recently gave away really good expensive children’s toys. Brand new. The person who collected was very wealthy. 2 parent family and big house. Definitely privileged. I would have loved the items to go to someone who couldn’t otherwise have bought them. (Won’t specify items but they were big. Would have loved to get these when I was a poor single mum) but i wished them well and I’ll try to think about how I share things better in future. But it’s hard to do

In one group I’m in the same woman shotgunned 12 different things a few days ago.

I always say that I'll put names in a hat and draw one at X o'clock. Then I basically choose someone I like the look of (or at least, I only put the names of the people I like into the hat)

Yes it’s noticeable on most of these give away groups that the same names ask on on nearly everything and you can see the same person over and over again getting the stuff. It becomes pointless.

Might as well just have a post that says. “Hey my names Carter and I’ll take anything if it’s free 😁😁”

I give away stuff loads, and it's hardly ever been a wealthy privileged as far as i can tell!

How do you know they were wealthy? They might look wealthy but unless you checked their bank statements and assessed their savings you don’t know. Also, does it matter? It’s stopping it potentially being thrown in the tip, you’re getting rid off shit you no longer want. If you care about where it goes, there are other methods of getting rid of it (charity shops, market place, Vinted) but all of those require significant more effort. So you care enough to put the effort in and you care where it goes or you don’t.

I really hate the posting of “I want these to go to someone in need” on FB. It’s virtue signalling and how do you decide who is worthy? What if the single parent reading it doesn’t feel “worthy” enough because they work and there are people worse off than them? If you want to give them to someone “in need” give to a women’s shelter or a food bank. But that doesn’t score you brownie points on FB for being such a lovely person.

I know what you mean. There's one lady who seems to collect everything, I mean everything she's been to my house so many times and collected such an reau of stuff. I actually now block her when I post to give someone else a chance 🤣

I think they sound like hoarders tbh and that's not something I'd be lusting after. No one needs repeat rounds of free shit off Facebook. Let them enjoy collecting someone else's tatty junk.

If I was wealthy and privileged the last thing I'd spend my time doing is hoiking stuff round the local area in a rental van like some kind of modern day Steptoe. It could be they actually need the stuff? Can you put adverts up saying things your looking for? I get that it seems unfair if it's the same people but there's not much you can do to stop them.

I stopped advertising stuff for free as I have been stung on a number of occasions. Now I put a small price on what I want rid off and have found those that really or want or need will happily pay the small price but if I know they are genuine then I take nothing. I found it has whittled out those to take everything when it's free

Local free fb sites are there for the givers convenience. People are taking stuff off your hands, so you don't need to do a tip or charity shop run. If you care about the 'neediness' of the recipient you should make the effort of contacting a local charity eg a refuge or animal rescue, to donate.

Alternatively you could set up and put the time into being an admin of a well run fb page like my local one, where people are limited to two 'requests' a day.

I know a woman who sells the good stuff on. It’s definitely a thing! I have a frugal friend (she’s loaded) who would rather die than actually purchase gifts etc, everything with her is a freebie.

I’ve also noticed that some people list any old crap, so they don’t have to bother disposing of it / charity shop. But if somebody is willing to drive to pick up half a bottle of body lotion…

Essentially, it is great to pass things on though. Most of my baby things, clothes etc have been swapped around friends.

They might be selling it on.

Yes. It seems like deeply unlikely ‘privileged’ behaviour to be at home during the day and ready to leap on any free item.

We've got someone like this on our street WhatsApp. The only thing I've never seen her want is books.

If anyone else does get in first she'll also reply with how much she needs the item etc etc. She can't ever seem to collect either.

Look around and see if there are any better groups, some of my local ones are first responder gets it, others the giver can choose. The buynothing ones are often good.

There's also trashnothing (not on facebook) where you are encouraged to wait until you have a few requests and pick the one you like best.

Like a pp said, invite offers then 'draw names from at a hat' at a time convenient to you.
In other words, either actually choose from the list of names randomly (fairest), or choose who you think is the most deserving or you like the best.
Ultimately it is your choice how you handle this.

I haven’t noticed that it’s particularly privileged folks, but people will take ANYTHING. But only if it’s free. Have something to sell at a great value? No takers. Free tat? It’s gone in 5 seconds.