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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

It's FREECYCLE not TKETHEPISSCYCLE!

24 replies

jurisfictionoperative · 15/04/2010 12:34

We have recently offered bagged horse muck for collection on freecycle. We used to deliver but our tow car broke and we can borrow one for local deliveries but it is very juicy! One chap from last time got missed due to break down, and asked for a delivery this time. He didn't read my reply, then sent a snotty email. Gave him one back, then had a text requesting delivery. I have clearly stated situation re car, and as he is not local, requested help with petrol. When we worked it out, would be roughly £7.50 we didn't want it all, only asked for donation. I don't think this is unreasonable. He however threw a hissy fit and got the arse saying it is FREE cycle. To have our muck professionally removed would cost us about £20. To have delivered to everyone would have cost us much much more. We are happy to deliver locally for free, and have turned down any offered help if we can combine deliveries etc. We are being nice and helping people. Why should he make us feel guilty?

OP posts:

BusyMissIzzy · 15/04/2010 12:39

YANBU. If you stated in the advert that it was free for collection or local delivery, then he's being unreasonable to expect you to deliver if he's not local.

twoistwiceasfun · 15/04/2010 14:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BuzzingNoise · 15/04/2010 14:32

WHat a knob. Report him to your mods.

glitterstar88 · 15/04/2010 16:04

YANBU, put it outside your house with a sign 50p or £1 a bag. Thats what people around here do.

caramelwaffle · 15/04/2010 16:13

Put a sign outside your home, as glitter suggests: that's what is done at the farms around here.

Oh and he is being a knobbo.

Jamieandhismagictorch · 15/04/2010 16:17

yes, as I said recently on freecycle thread - I put most stuff that's not suitable for a charity shop or the dump, outside and it goes within minutes. No need to interact with anyone.

That man, for example, is a twat.

janiemouse · 15/04/2010 16:37

I've given away a few things on freecycle but have now given up with it. It's easier to take things to the skip, than wait around for people who 75% of the time do not turn up to collect what they have been offered. I know you can't do that with horse muck but if I was you I'd find an alternative to freecycle.

Grumpla · 15/04/2010 17:24

I'd be tempted to deliver a couple of loads to his doorstep. Minus the sacks, of course ;)

zapostrophe · 15/04/2010 17:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

PortBlacksandDweller · 15/04/2010 17:49

"Then surely he can collect himself? YANBU, he is taking the piss"

Yes indeed - but he's not taking the Shit...

aJumpedUpPantryBoy · 15/04/2010 19:40

He is being unreasonable - there was some well rotted horse manure on our freecycle recently and DH went to collect some for me.
He had to take his own wheelbarrow and spade and bag it up himself.
We wouldn't have expected it to be delivered and were just pleased to have some for free.

mummychicken · 15/04/2010 20:18

Slight hijack of post but on my local freecycle a bloke was asking for

a washing machine
a sofa bed - "must be in good condition"
A caravan - with MOT certificate!

I only give away toys/clothes! However, I always assumed people shouild collect rather than expect delivery

lljkk · 15/04/2010 20:22

Around here people just put signs out front saying "Free horse manure to collectors" -- might be less hassle to OP.

Original poster

jurisfictionoperative · 15/04/2010 20:29

Trouble is, where the muck is, it's not put out for takingable. I'd have to lug it all the way home to do that! Have written a snotty post on freecycle about him. Hopefully, he will read it and see that I think he is a nob! :-)

OP posts:

faddle · 15/04/2010 20:49

I had this - offered something clearly stating to be collected, someone got in touch from a town about 15 miles away, said could I deliver, I said yes, for a tenner, she said no way am I paying that I'll give you a fiver. I was lost for words, but not for long.

Dont get me started on the wanteds, our freecycle has a ratio of about 1 offered to 6 wanted adverts. someone posted tonight wanting a washing machine, baby bouncer and double mattress, all within minutes.
I think they should rename it "Freeloaders"

cosysocks · 15/04/2010 21:06

I've stopped freecycling my stuff due to the lack of thanks. I'm not wanting a gushing thanks but a basic polite thankyou would be bloody nice!

Spacefrog · 15/04/2010 21:27

That's a shame because Freecycle is an excellent concept. I love it and got so much from it, hopefully can give as much back.

Sadly people abuse it, not showing up to collect, not thanking and of course you have to ignore all those WANTED ads that are completely unreasonnable. I've been disappointed a few times but I can't get myself to throw away things that are still in perfect condition.

carrotsarenottheonlyvegetable · 15/04/2010 23:11

We've given away loads recently and it's been a nightmare. Out of about 15 (large) "gifts" such as a double bed, a dinghy and a bike we've had just 2 emails of thanks and numerous people emailing to ask if we still have something then not bothering to write back when we say yes, or arranging to come and not bothering to come.

I can't believe how ignorant people are to be honest.

However, I would still much prefer to give stuff away than chuck it...

LittleSilver · 15/04/2010 23:13

I've been totally put off freecycle since joining MN. Sounds like a nightmare

stealthsquiggle · 15/04/2010 23:21

Don't feel guilty. I can't believe you were delivering in the first place. I looked at a Freecycle ad for enough wood to keep us going for years and was really tempted - but they wanted one taker for the lot and it would have taken us about 20 trips to collect - so I thought 'fair enough' and left it.

I sent the lovely people who gave us a piano (and helped us get it out of their house and onto our trailer) a bunch of flowers, and was really pleased to see our old (but working) TV go to a Polish couple who had just moved here and got their first flat - so it's not all bad, by any means.

carrotsarenottheonlyvegetable · 15/04/2010 23:25

Oh don't be put off littlesilver. It's really worthwhile but takes more effort than it should which is a shame, but that's better than throwing useful stuff away.

Original poster

jurisfictionoperative · 15/04/2010 23:34

This afternoon, I tried to post an irritated message on the forum, but was rejected by the moderators, so I then sent it to the netcafe, The moderators say that even asking for a fuel donation is against the rules. Quite frankly, I am really p**d off. I have posted offers before, which were never claimed, and ultimately went in the bin, and never get offered items I reply to. I think I would rather lug it and sell it, this has really put me off!

OP posts:

stealthsquiggle · 15/04/2010 23:39

I think you just need to stick firmly to 'collection only, no delivery possible' and bounce anyone taking the piss with a firm "sorry we can't deliver" with no further explanation (and don't give 'phone numbers until they have agreed to collect). It has never occurred to me that anyone would deliver anything advertised on Freecycle - it is incumbent on the recipient to arrange collection.

ChippingIn · 16/04/2010 13:29

Littlesilver - don't be put off - freecycle really is great (better in some areas than others!!). It's a bit like MN though - you just have to avoid the knobs!!

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