Forum Topic

Freecycle

Photograph, links and advert posted ... and lots of replies!  Now I can't decide who should have the item!  Have you advertised?  How did you chose between those with a story to tell and those who just ask to have it?  Names in a hat?  The item was rejected by Hounslow furniture project as people they supply only want prestige items with no work and this has some light sanding required to touch up some wear and tear to the varnish.http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e45/valandles/?action=view¤t=Picture001.jpghttp://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e45/valandles/?action=view¤t=Picture002.jpghttp://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e45/valandles/?action=view¤t=Picture003.jpg

Sarah Felstead ● 6491d10 Comments

Your links don't work by the way; there's a funny character after the word 'view' that might be the problem. Anyway, what you're asking is how you choose between several people who want it.  The last time I used freecycle, I used "first come first served", which annoyed a guy who explained in great detail why he wanted it. On the other hand, I offered another item to someone who was ever so enthusiastic about it, but then failed to turn up when agreed, didn't return phone calls and never contacted me again.  Freecycle's advice is that there are no rules and it's entirely up to you. So if you want to choose someone because they've got the same name as your favourite footballer, or another totally logical idea like that, just go for it!I get the impression that Hounslow Furniture Project are getting fussier about what they accept.  A few years ago, they would gladly accept anything that was usable.

Richard Jennings ● 6490d

I was disapointed that Hounslow Furniture people didn't want it, even saying it was from M&S didn't sway them.  I have seen these with a rail inside being used for baby clothes.  There is a fair offer policy which I included - "Fair Offer Policy: I agree to take a period of time to see what responses I get before deciding who to give the Tallboy to. This gives members on Daily Digest, or those who don't have continual access to the Internet a fair chance to reply."I have just offered a TV to the last of 13 people who replied  ...  I hope he turns up!  :-)

Sarah Felstead ● 6490d

Have you also tried Trinity Homeless Projects?  They also collect which is useful.

Philippa Bond ● 6490d

I've used Freecycle loads especially for electrical items that charity shops won't take or big stuff like wardrobes.  It's hit and miss who gets it - you just have to work it out from the emails.  I dislike people who just write 'Ill hav it pleez' - often they don't even bother with the pleez - and prefer people to say a bit about what why they want it, though I never ask them to do so in my postings. Even then I have offered stuff to apparently lovely people who have simply never turned up and never got in touch, or have turned up and given the impression they were well dodgy and going to flog your item as soon as they got it home. I don't advertise 'first come first served' though.  It rarely works out that way.

Niall Leonard ● 6490d

Yup - make up your own rules. I selected the recipients based on their explanation of why they needed the item, good reasons why they couldn't just go buy a similar item (i.e. were they really needy or just mean), the general tone with pleasantness being important - and spelling and grammar (I cannot abide ignorance or laziness). So 'pleez' in an email would have meant an instant dismissal. I also dismissed anyone with a business type address - such man&van.co.uk because it sounds like they're in it to make money.However, I also think its right to reply to everyone with a polite 'sorry its already gone' note (after its already gone - although I've not yet been let down by someone not turning up). And remember to post the 'item now gone' note on the freecycle web site.

Alan Clark ● 6490d

Swift pick up by the person I contacted - great!Following your advice I waited until it had been picked up before emailing everyone to say it had gone!  :-)

Sarah Felstead ● 6489d

How rude that Hounslow furniture project dictated such high demands on unwanted furniture which is given out to those who have nothing to adorn their abode.  I would have thought they'd been grateful.Glad you managed to actually give it away.  Personally I would have put a price on it.  Things like that don't come cheap.

S Passmore ● 6489d

You'd be amazed.  Nobody will buy a second-hand sofa off you.  Before I discovered Freecycle I used to pay junk merchants to take the stuff away.

Niall Leonard ● 6488d

if i had seen earlier i would have taken your wardrobe shelve thing...If it hasn't gone pm me.. just moved out need storage/any furniture especially at resonable price,will collect.

Kathryn Caisley ● 6488d

A friend of mine had to rip up the carpets in her mother's housing association flat because her mother had rented it without carpets and had moved out.  They had been down only a year and were in very good condition.  The next person would probably have been glad of them.  Pure bureaucracy and unnecessary waste. She gave a lot of furniture to charity shops.Unfortunately I didn't manage to tell her about freecycle in time because it would have saved her a lot of trouble.

Philippa Bond ● 6488d