Okay, recently I posted worrying that Freecycle seemed dangerous. I have now experienced it and I don't think it's for me!!! I'm wondering if others have had these 'issues'.

First of all, the things people offer is AMAZING....half empty shampoo!! Half a box of popsicles!!! Half a box of Gerber Biter Bisquits!! Electric toothbrushes!?!?! Yuck! There's always things like 'tv, doesn't work' 'monitor, doesn't work'. Now, some good sounding stuff has come and gone, too, but I really shake my head at the half empty food and shampoos and make up and such...

So, I try for a pair of ice skates and I am selected. She was a very nice lady but she said she'd leave them on her apartment door handle in a bag as she wasn't going to be home when I came. She failed to mention that her apartment door handle was inside a locked building. Fortunately a nice man let me in anyway, and said he'd look on her door for me, but they weren't there. We found them just hanging out in a bag in the hallway. ??? They are ADORABLE, but the REEK of smoke.

Next I offered a guitar. I chose someone who seemed to really want it and who said they could pick it up the very next day. Well, the very next day, three hours before pick up, they changed the day for two days later. I agreed. Then the next day *I* happened to notice that this person had a 'brand new size 5/6 spring jacket'. I have a little girl who would fit that this spring so I thought hey! Maybe we can do an exchange and save on driving back and forth. So I contacted her to see if I could have the jacket and I said since I'd be getting something out of it we could meet halfway. She agreed and then changed the day AGAIN. So tonight we finally do the exchange and the jacket is NOT brand new!! It is not only DIRTY, but it is FRAYED, and it REEKS OF SMOKE! AAARRRGGGHHHH!!! It's hard with free stuff to inquire if it's coming from a smoke free home...it just seems rude. But I was really disappointed that this coat was SO not new, and that I had traveled out of my way for it.

So I'm disillushioned here....I live in a good area so I really don't understand why so much weird stuff if offered!! The opened food really shocks me and I don't know why this jacket was touted as new! It didn't need to be, it's not like she was getting money for it.

ANYWAY, I'm wondering if others see weird offerings and end up with smokey things, too.

I'll stop being a spoilsport now.

By Jelygu on Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 08:06 pm:

Lol.. I see the weird offerings as well. What amazes me more is the things people ask for. Someone in my area keeps asking for a Bowflex exercise machine. They also ask for king size beds, tv's, all kinds of expensive things. I just can't believe what people expect to get for free.
I rarely see anything I want, I just like reading what people think is worth giving away and what they want to get for free.

By Yjja123 on Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 08:08 pm:

I joined mainly to get rid of my stuff not to get anything. I like the concept of (hopefully) giving to someone who can really use what I no longer want. Perhaps it is your group. On mine I frequently see all kinds of great (and sometimes new) things. I have given away a closet full of brand new gifts that I never used. Each recipient seemed extremely happy to receive the items. The only thing I have received was a playstation driving wheel--which is awesome and sells for $50! I am sorry you are having a bad experience but I do not think it is typical.
Yvonne

By Kathy on Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 08:18 pm:

I'm with Yvonne in thinking that what you are experiencing is not typical. Although there are the people whose "wants" are a bit overboard, I've never seen any 'weird' ads like the one that you described. I've only really done freecycling once and that was to get a brass and glass vanity. In fact, I just picked it up a week ago. It's nice and perfect for my daugther. I'd like to put a new coat of gold paint on it though. But hey, for free, it's not too bad.

By Wandilu on Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 08:59 pm:

I got a really nice couch that came in handy over the holidays.One day I was going to put on there that I wanted a lap top,but I thought that was asking too much.A few days later someone actually put one on there !! And we didn't check the board for a few days,so it was gone by the time we noticed it.

By Kay on Thursday, January 20, 2005 - 09:27 pm:

I think it just depends on the people in your particular freecycle group. I've gotten some great things, including furniture, and a box of cast iron skillets that have never been used! I think until the moderators of your particular group do something to set some guidelines, then it will remain disappointing.

Has anyone else in your group complained?

By Kittycat_26 on Friday, January 21, 2005 - 08:04 am:

Kate, I'm with you. At least in our area, it seems like junk and definately things I would never use. I"ve got issues with using perishables that someone else has opened.

To each their own but this is definately not for me.

By Trina~moderator on Friday, January 21, 2005 - 08:08 am:

If you join, do you have to take part? In other words, would it be OK to lurk to check it out?

By Jackie on Friday, January 21, 2005 - 08:19 am:

Yes you can lurk and check it out. There is no commitment. Its just a Yahoo group. You sign up for the list and thats it.
I do agree, there are very strange things people list that they want to get rid of. I have given away more things that we get. I normally not one to take too many things. First, you just dont know the condition of things. 2nd, for me, it depends on where people live,if I think its worth the drive.
A couple of things we have received. A kick and play toy for Faith, it was in almost new conditon, sells for 34$ at Toys R Us...We also got a CD boom box. The guy said, he didnt think it worked. My husband can fix anything so he said"Lets get it". We brought it home, and plugged it in, and it works just fine.
My husband has gotten some computer parts that worked.
The good things do go fast. When I was giving away some of my sons winter clothes, I would get at least 10 responses for them.

By Tunnia on Friday, January 21, 2005 - 10:01 am:

While I have seen items like "non-working computer monitor" I haven't really seen offers for opened food other similar products. There is a lot of really good stuff on my local Freecycle. Maybe it's because the moderators of my group are really on top of things and send out weekly reminders on how our group works and guidelines on what not to post.

By Feona on Friday, January 21, 2005 - 12:58 pm:

I hear they really do offer a cabbage almost turning brown in Seatle.

By Palmbchprincess on Friday, January 21, 2005 - 01:27 pm:

Here we get a lot of pricey wants. We have 2 local groups, one for the Ft Hood/Killeen area, and one for the next county over (which is only 10-20 minutes away). The closer group disappeared, reappeared, and then became Ft. Hood/Killeen Yard Sales. Still "Freecycle" on the site, but everyone is now selling their stuff instead of Freecycling. I quit that group because I felt it defeats the whole purpose, and people were being greedy asking for $$ for stupid worthless things.

By Paulas on Friday, January 21, 2005 - 08:41 pm:

My local freecycle group only has 4 people. So far I haven't posted anything and only one person has. My local one is 45 minutes away so it would have to be good.

By Audreyj on Saturday, January 22, 2005 - 02:41 pm:

Maybe it is your group. I LOVE FREECYCLE! I signed up a few months ago and I am completely addicted and everyone I have met has been just lovely. I got two twin beds for my daughters new room, three winter coats, some clothes for my daughters, a basketball game 3 feet wide and six feet high with five basketballs which is now in my garage and my kids love it on rainy days, and a CAT. Yep, a CAT. Already spayed, declawed and shots and my younger daughter just adores her.

I have given: clothes, a toddler slide, stuffed animals, teletubbies, matchbox cars and racing track, and a king size mattress (we are getting a new one).

I am completely hooked on Freecycle and I have had a great experience. I am sorry you are having a tough time with it. Maybe you could start a new(and better) group in your area.

And nothing is sold. Strict rule. No money changes hands.

Anyway, I love it. AJ

By Kate on Saturday, January 22, 2005 - 09:29 pm:

Well, today someone offered snow. Fresh, unused snow perfect for recreational activities. Suitable for kids ages 2 and up if properly dressed. He assumes no responsibility for hypothermia or frostbite. Bring your own shovel and a pick up truck.

I guess it beats the half empty box of Gerber Biter Bisquits!!!!!

By Vicki on Saturday, January 22, 2005 - 09:32 pm:

LOL..now the snow one is cute!!!

By Christylee on Sunday, January 23, 2005 - 01:25 pm:

I'm interested in this, where do you go to sign up? Is it just freecycle.com? because when I went to that it wasn't that or maybe I was looking in the wrong place?

By Trina~moderator on Sunday, January 23, 2005 - 01:39 pm:

Christylee, It's FreeCycle.org.