Freecycle

[jazzactivist]

Hi all, I don't know if you know about Freecycle? It is an economic system for giving away and getting goods for free. The idea is that if you have something that is still useable, or if you need something that you don't want to / can't afford to pay full price for, then you can post a message on your local Freecycle group website. You have to respond to ads quickly as there is a big turnover. This morning I received a big tin of lovely buttons, including vintage ones, and pieces of elastic, hooks and eyes, tailor's chalk etc just for the price of the postage. My unemployed friend is delighted as she actually got a car for free which is still running fine. Although it is a worldwide phenomenon, each area has its own local system so you don't have to travel that far to collect the goods. The aim is to cut down on profiteering and global capitalism by people making good use of outgrown or unwanted items. Therefore, it isn't acceptable for people to get goods for free and then sell them on. If you don't know about it, have a look on [url]www.uk.freecycle.org

[Pippa]

I have given away loads on Freecycle but been very good and not taken anything.My daughter got a pine double bed and dining chairs, all in good condition.

[franbee]

I've given away stuff on there too.

[Crocus]

Hi, I didn't know about freecycle until I've read about it here! Went to Google and noticed there's quite a frew branches in our country!

[MrZebra]

Hey sorry for the thread necromancy, I just thought I'd mention that I got two great books on Freecycle this morning!

"Computer Vision - Ballard & Brown"
"Digital Image Processing and Computer Vision - Schalkoff"

I was surprised to see books on such an uncommon subject on Freecycle, so I pounced on them straight away!

[Rustic Pumpkin]

I've heard of it but not found out if there is one in my area. As I have an old CRT monitor to get rid of this would be a good way I guess.

[bonnie]

I think this is a great site. i only heard of it through reading mr Z's page. i have given lots away that i normally would have just tipped.

I have also just reacently got an amazing coal effect fire page 1055 in argos book. the cost of the fire is £128 ? we are having our gas fire taken out soon and i wanted a nice looking electric one. the lady had just brought the house and didn't like the style of the fire. i advertised for one and luckily she answere my post/ have also got some reall nice stone planter pots off there as well.

[cindy]

I've used it to find new homes for things that would otherwise go to the local tip. It is a really good idea but there has been lots of complaints on our local site about people being greedy and also selling on.

[bonnie]

Same with our local site cindy. one lady put a post up asking how to complain to the moderators. she had given some items away and saw them for sale on e bay.
It's a shame because lots of people look on freecycle to help furnish thier first home to save a few bob, then you get those that abuse the system.
I got lucky last week i asked if anyone has some old STONE planters and i got a reply. i got two lovely round ones a, a square one, an old stone bird bath and a stone gnome with a stone pot under each arm, which i have put primroses in.

I then put my plastic planter pots on offer and they were snapped up straight away.

One really strange person put up that they wanted a washing powder scoop ( yes you have read it right ), i replied i had one , thinking it was put up for a prank.
NOPE, she is comming from the other side of town on wednesday on a bus to collect it.

[franbee]

People want all sorts of things bonnie. When we had our garden makeover last year I managed to give away wall stones, flagstones, topsoil, wood offcuts, and finally the old shed. A young man was asking for a shed. He took a day off work, borrowed a trailer, dismantled the shed with help from OH and took it away in 4 journeys. His wife came to look at it, they had 4 children and had just moved to a house with a garden and needed somewhere to store their bikes. We probably saved a fortune in skip hire.

[bonnie]

Well done to you fran. i am looking for a stone angel at the minute about 2ft high for stuarts corner. hope i will strike lucky.

[Firefly]

I am a great fan of Freecycle too having given away all sorts of things and also been given some things through freecycle. It is a shame though that some people do abuse it and also our group has a lot of problem with people never turning up to collect. How difficult is it just to email to say they have changed their minds?