FREECYCLE: Who do you give your item to?

[boogiewoogie]

How do you decide who to give your offered item to when you freecycle it? There were 2 people whom I couldn't decide to give to but I'm also wary of people who may just be telling sob stories to convince you that they need it most.

Often whoever emails first who is polite. I'm not that interested in sob stories but a polite email asking to be considered usually. Or whoever can pick it up soonest if it's something I want rid of.

Hate emails just asking for my adress asuming they can have it.

Polite people who can spell/those not using text speak. After that, I decide whom I think is the most needy (without it being a sob story - a difficult call sometimes).

I'm just getting rid of something on Freecycle and I've gone down the first e-mail I've recieved gets it lark...they seem nice and polite too and are coming to get the item tomorrow.

Most of them were polite. I'm like you NoNickname in that I normally ignore those who write in text speak which I consider lazy. Can I get away with saying that?

I don't think you need to say that - and I don't think you should. You don't have to justify in advance or afterwards whom you have given it to.

If you're declining someone, just leave it a day or so, then say, "Sorry it's gone now - thanks for your interest though".

Of course I don't mention that NoNickname . If it's something that's had a lot of interest I normally give it 24 hours before deciding and then posting a TAKEN message.