I finally got a Freecycle sewing machine (this will be the third) that actually has a chance of working again. (The others went on to Goodwill, for the chance someone who can actually fix things would get them). This one is the cutest little Singer Merritt 212 you've ever seen. All she needs is a new power cord/cord to the foot pedal thingy. My hubby says he can rewire it and then I can play! Despite its small size, its pretty hefty. All I really need is to find a manual and the singer site didn't have one. Another site had one for sale, but I'm going to keep looking for a free/cheap download. Woo Hoo!
Signed up for the local Freecycle groups and was pleased w/ the coming & going of shared treasure. Until the past 2 months: it's a flat-out, freakin' farce! Even as Queen of the Beggars I drawn the line at SOMEthings. Like one guy asking for a flat screen monitor for a computer, than the next day asking for the computer! One lady asked for sheets for a queen-size bed; later in the week she asked for a queen bed, and 2 twin beds, if you don't mind --and sheets for all. Then she came back for the pillows! Another lady asked for a car or minivan for their soon-to-be charity endeavor... and btw for her son to drive to college (no mention of the classes he'd be taking to learn how to set up the charity group). One family wants clothing for the entire household for summer (want to be prepared, I guess; this was in January), then wanted an above-ground swimming pool; I might have missed the post where they asked for swimming suits. What started as a great idea to recycle stuff, to keep useable things out of the city dump, has turned into an online catalog/wish list. Might explain why the group's monitor person is looking to be replaced. I've gone back to giving household items to the local mission group.
Meanwhile, let us know about that Singer Merritt, Debi. We want to see quilts, Finished on that machine!
One lady posted a want add for a feather weight and apparently got lots of negative and some 'not so nice' private replies about it. She posted a follow up on the board chewing out those people that replied to her in a negative manor.
I do like the idea of freecycle, and have gotten some things off of it myself (mag. for the kids, old worn jeans for my jeans quilts, etc), but it does have it's issues. Unfortunatly I haven't posted anything on it. I find it easier to just donate my things to a second hand store.
Ours is usually pretty good, though once in a while there are some pretty far out requests. I tend to give most stuff to Goodwill or Savers, but I did use freecycle to get rid of a waterbed. I've also been able to answer requests for a few canning jars, some old jeans, and a few other items that I wasn't using and weren't really anything I would donate to a second-hand store.
Julia > I know what you mean!! Ours is the same way.
Wow! That's really a shame. It sounds like both yours and Sandy's Freecycle moderators need to get tough. My local group doesn't allow luxury items to be requested, only offered. And if anyone has a problem with someone's posts they email the moderators not the individual. The only back and forth allowed between members are emails offering an item in response to someone's wanted or requesting an offered item. One strike and you're put on moderated status, three strikes and you're out of the group. It might seem a little strict but it really works to keep peace and order.
Sandy - my group has gotten to where there are more wanted posts than offer posts. I still read through some of them, but it is getting to be more than a little annoying. Ah well, I guess that's the way things go
- people wanting something (or sometimes everything) for free.
I recently got an e-mail from our local freecycle group (which I joined but haven't used yet) saying that they have had trouble with people accusing others of getting the free things to sell on for a profit. Sounds as though it got quite nasty.
I know what you guys mean. Heck, I'm the moderator for the smaller, local group and actually have to say our people aren't too bad, but I also tend to ignore the posts for things I don't have to offer and have no need of. I have my issues with it too, people offering things, changing their minds. I had a lady email me back about some fabric she offered that I wanted. I told her my plans for it and thought she was a bit forward to ask what intended it for. Turns out my use wasn't charitable enough for her. Ticked me off so badly I blocked emails from her. I guess people can choose whoever they want to get their things but, in my eyes, they obviously don't want it, that's why their giving it away. As long as someone doesn't use the rug I'm unloading on them to stash a body or contraband, I really don't care what they get up to with it ;-)
I like the Freecycle concept too; but everytime I've made an "offer", it's been a nightmare. I get these goofy people who want to talk, and want to look around and see what else I'll give away. And more goofy people who wanted the LARGE air conditioner/heater I offered, but said they both had "health problems" and couldn't help load them. I was home alone at the time, they showed up 2 hours late, after dark and THAT was a nightmare in itself. I went back to putting usable, unwanted items on the curb. That's kind of a Freecycle-deal here also.
Sherry, good idea. When I offer items, I put them on my covered porch and leave them. If they aren't picked up after contacting the person who wants it and telling them get it or it goes to the next person, it goes to the next person. I work 30 miles from home and I'm not fond of people in my house anyway, but the people I've dealt with face to face have been very nice and grateful. If someone were to start 'shopping' in my house, they'd get shown the other side of the door, sans what they came for in the first place, in a big hurry!
That's why I've learned to set up filters -- all the "wanted" posts on Freecycle go into the trash unread. If I have something to give away, I'll post it. If I don't have it, I don't need to read the wanted posts for it. :)
I have gone "no message" for this area's Freecycle. Most of the postings were such trivial junk! I did fling some fabric scraps (which had first been flung to me) and craft supplies to a woman who was willing to drive 18 miles to come to get them.
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