Giving things away -do some people take the proverbial? th

We put DH's old violin on Freegle. It was old and had never been that good as his parents couldn't afford a better one. The man who came for it, was absolutely delighted with it, we made it clear that it was very much a learners violin etc etc.

Four weeks later we went to our local village hall auction and among the lots was DH's violin. It sold for £20

Nana& - mostly I agree with you. As we're moving soon we've got rid of a lot of stuff. Some sold (leboncoin is a good place to sell here) .
Other stuff I've offered round free to friends locally. Many say oh yes please but never turn up.
Maybe it's a matter of pride? People don't want to be thought of as too poor to pay?

When our twin grandchildren were small we looked after them a lot. We got cots,pushchairs and lots of other baby equipment from Freecycle.We were very,very grateful that we did not have to pay for them.

Nana& I disagree, people here are very grateful for the things we give away on Freegle and some of them really need what they are given and cannot afford to pay. One couple did their wedding entirely on Freegle and borrowed our bunting then DH drove the bride to her wedding as well.

Did a mix of Freecycle, e-Bay and Gumtree when we downsized. The vast majority of people were straightforward, respectful and relatively good communicators, a small percentage the exact opposite. When responding to people I learned to say something like ‘if you haven’t contacted/collected by xxxxxx I will offer it elsewhere’. It seemed to work. I also learned to double check the person was prepared to pay the price I asked, had one or two deny a price had been mentioned. I do agree, people value things they pay for.

I always put a price on and then usually let them have it for free when they turn up - if they are on time!!

I have to say that things given away for free have no value to people so always, always charge something ( even if you then donate it to charity) .

People value something they have to pay for . Its like free newspapers versus paid for ones.

I'm with you, Nonnie. I have learnt to avoid timewasters on Freegle by waiting for a few messages then choosing the most polite and likely to turn up. There is an info button to press at the bottom of each message which gives details of location, time taken to respond, and how many items given and taken. I also tell them I will leave the item on my (covered) doorstep to pick up at their leisure, giving a time limit.

We give lots of things away on Freegle but not necessarily to the first person who asks. Maybe that is why the people we give things to turn up? I work on the assumption that the only people who can sit there all day looking at Freegle are the dealers and I don't want them to have my stuff. We tend to give things to the people who ask nicely!

If you are in Ireland the St Vincent de Paul Society are great at recycling. They have shops for small items, will collect large items, do minor repairs & pass on to needy families. More power to them!

When they first call, just give them a time limit to fetch the stuff by. Then everyone knows where they stand.

People can be real time wasters, I found. I could barely give away my daughters' furniture, even though we had bought it all new a few weeks before. Lots of people bid on it, won the bid, then never paid or responded to my messages. Considering everything was sold for a few pounds, I don't know why they bothered.

I ve just been selling something ( latest sports item) for my grandson, first man booked a time for the next day he didn’t turn up at allotted time I messaged him and he answered ‘sorry had to go to birthday, ( whatever that means) can you deliver please’ as I have no car I said sorry went on to next bloke Really really keen ‘can I come now ‘ Then got message what size is it? ( clearly written in the advert) I told him and didn’t hear another word ... went to number three who was very eager I said when can you pick up ‘can you hold till next Monday as I m not paid till then’ I said yes as he was the last one interested ...but my poor grandsons waiting for his money it’s VERY frustrating

Actually, in the end I put stuff in the front garden with a big notice that said Free, Help Yourself.

It all went.

I put stuff on Freecycle when I downsized. I would say at least 50% of the takers failed to show up. One said he wanted the sofa, came and said he would take it away if I gave him £20 because I needed to get rid of it quick.

I'll never use Freecycle again. It wasn't worth the time and hassle.

I do miss (was it called)Streetlife?
It was the perfect way for passing things on and I seldom heard complaints. I miss it for recommendations as well but that's another topic.

Makes my blood boil too. People can be so thoughtless and downright ungrateful. Greenfinch I also collected together bedding for an animal shelter and contacted them to ask where to drop it off (didn't even expect them to collect!) but nobody bothered to let me know. Also items for a homeless shelter - same thing! As you say why ask if you can't be bothered to reply? Just rude!

Now I am feeling guilty !
I have heard from a local young mum who says she can be here within the hour so going with that.
I have also asked for a tenner for the lot but will give that to our village preschool.
Oh why is life so complicated?

Freecycle is better for giving things away - it tends to be peopled by folk with a "green" ethic. I have never had any problems with it.

didn't want anything for the furniture ...bloomin keyboard playing up again

I offered a leather suite to someone who then asked if I could deliver it and take someone to carry it up 4 flights of stairs.Didn't want anything for the furniture but because its in new condition wanted it to go to a good home .When I said she could hire a van locally for £20 she decided she didn't want it .I never sell things I'm finished with ...and I change furniture very regulary .This is the first time I've been asked to take it and deliver to the room she wanted it in.Most people are happy to collect it themselves

There was a request last week on our localFB for old duvets and towels for a dog rescue centre.I collected together a pile of towels and a couple of old duvets and responded to the "wanted" notice. Since then I have heard nothing back.Why ask if you are not going to follow it through ?

Maw I've had similar experiences. One woman didn't turn up, so I put on FB that the give away item was still available due to timewaster, she messaged me saying "but you promised that to me" and an excuse as to why she didn't turn up. So why didn't you message me at the time ?
Very frustrating.

That should read don’t wait in

Don’t wait I find the next interested party and say are they still interested if so tell them a time that suits you that the items can be collected