Freecycle

That’s a good idea tiggy. We have given away far more than taken,.
I once listed a whole lot of unrelated stuff and when he came he took everything. I can only assume it was sold on because he coukdnt have, by chance, needed all that we gave. He was a
polite young Eastern European, i didn’t really mind if that’s what he did. His need was probably greater than mine.
We hVe still heard nothing from he who should have picked up at 9.30 this morning. It has certainly put me off.

Due to the time wasters I too have all but given up on freecycle. When I do offer something I go into an advanced search and see who are only 'takers' and who give things too. Can be interesting and of course only offer to the 'givers'.

A friend listed a child's cycle for a very reasonable price on Gumtree (not Freecycle) . A couple wanted to come round to see it at once, but she was about to go out so said she'd be back in an hour. Returned to find the garage door forced and bike vanished. No money left, obviously.

If I fancy something on Freecycle I always give a reason why I would like the item advertised. I never offer anything to somebody whose attitude is "gimmee I will be there in an hour".

My worst experience was recent. My beautiful large glass dining table and 4 chairs could not be sold because I did not have the correct paperwork for it.

The couple who appeared to want them seemed genuine but on the Sunday when they were supposed to pick it up they did not bother to ring me to say that they would be late- I did all of the chasing and in retrospect I should have told them to get lost and started again.

I've just about given up on Freecycle because of this problem It's infuriating and so rude. Many times I've waited in when someone has specified a collection time only to be let down yet again. I can't try the " put it outside the gate" trick as we live down a very quiet country lane. Nowadays ,I give most of my donations directly to a charity shop--quicker and easier.

We give away less than we used to on Freegle because we try to give to the charities instead but not all take small pieces of furniture

We have never had a problem until now, and yes, we too generally offer to a polite request. Its surprising how often we get a three word question without a please or thank-you.
This time all 3 responders were of that ilk.
Needless to say we have heard nothing and our wait in this morning was a waste of our time and the piece of furniture is taking up space in the middle of the conservatory ready for me to trip over.

I've given quite a few things away on Free cycle over the last few years, had one our two time wasters but mostly grateful people. Like you Bonnie, I tend to offer to people who ask nicely. I once offered wooden garden chairs and one asked curtly for a photo. I'd already given them to a nice girl "to brighten up her little back yard".

We have had no trouble at all, no one has ever let us down. Is it where we live or is it that I never offer to the first person who applies and always wait a couple of days so that more people have the opportunity to say they would like it? I feel that the only people who can sit watching Freegle all day are the dealers and I don't want them to have my stuff. I tend to give it to the person who asks nicely.

Some people even bring a little gift when they come.

I love Freecycle (in this area it's Freegle) and have never had or been a no show but it must be so annoying if you offer something to someone and they don't bother to turn up. I would send an email to the no show saying that he has until 5pm to collect or you will offer it again assuming that he is a time waster and that you have sent a copy to the moderators.

My DD uses Freecycle quite a lot to dispose of items she no longer needs she is let down a few times and re advertises 48hrs after an agreed collection time.

We advertised a child’s bicycle on freecycle some years ago, due to time wasters we had it for quite a while until we hit on the idea of putting it by our gate with a sign saying it was free, no one took it.
We put a sign on it a day later saying £3.00 and it was taken within an hour! Obviously no money was left.

I was a Freecycle moderator for a few years and this problem is the biggest bugbear of Freecycle. I suggest you reoffer the item and make it clear this is due to three time wasters,

As we finished building our new house we cleared around the "garden" and found about 40 pallets. I offered them on Freecycle and many people came and loaded up their cars. Several people asked for seven pallets as Gardeners World had shown how to build a compost bin using seven pallets. Most people were very grateful and one local couple returned a few days later to take away the last few pallets - and kindly brought me some new potatoes from their garden.