Case in point, I actually met a future neighbor as my wife delivered the item to their house due to circumstances, and now 6 months later we are moving into that same neighborhood. Next time they are BBQing we will be sure to remind them of this :)

I am a moderator of Swindon Freecycle. We welcome any and all (serious) suggestions to make the Swindon Freecycle site better for its members.

We usually edit out any “sob stories” when we moderate moderated members’ Wanted or Offered posts but obviously cannot censor private e-mails between members!

I am happy that you like the Message Maker – we have tailored it for Swindon Freecycle. Any suggestions for it?

Glad that you managed to get rid of your stuff – the prime raison d’etre of our group. Agreed that the charity part of it is just weird and creepy sometimes. We do get problems with that – some members think it is all about giving to the needy, some members are the needy, some are there to make a fast-buck but hopefully the majority are there to re-cycle their unwanted stuff.

To us, we don’t really care whether the items go to someone that wants to sell them on eBay or at a car boot sale or someone that will use them because they are really the same thing. If someone is trying to make money selling used items that are given away then they most probably are needy! So long as the items avoid landfill then we are happy.

Cheers!

P.S. Can you deliver as I don’t drive…

I’m a student at Northwestern University and I’m doing a research project about online communities. I’m focusing on the freecycle group. I was wondering if I could interview you about your experience with freecycle?

-Sophie

Reason you see this kind of response is that Deron Beal, the Founder of Freecycle.org has encouraged press to have freecycle group seen as a charity. Why? So he can collect tax free dollars to put in his pocket.

So if you wish to blame someone for the ‘gimmee’s’ Deron is your boy.

My groups in Florida, Melbourne and Space Coast area *Listed here:
http://www.freesharing.org ” voted on our rules, one of which is NO sob stories, no gimmees, no treating us like Rooms to Go’ or the mall.

We’re simply a group that encourages reuse of items. But we are not here for beggars to see who can come up with the biggest sob story of all.

I am afraid that the lack of correct spelling is just a sign of our lack of education or lack of care about it. Even with the advent of spell check, some just can’t be bothered and it’s of course not just Freecycle groups.

Anyone wishing to take a look go to http://www.sharingisgiving.org I promise we will not add a 24 hour policy on your messages, lol.

You may see a sob story once in a while but folks know they don’t have to do that on SIG, simply ask:)

PK (SIG Founder)

I run a Texas Freecycle group & I won’t allow the wanted posts that go into sob stories. Keep it simple & no begging!

When I offer an item & receive multiple requests for it, I review archived group posts & usually offer to somebody that has placed an “offer” previously. Even people very low on funds have something they can Freecycle- empty butter tubs can be re-used by crafters, empty toilet paper & paper towel rolls- the same. Many items deemed “worthless” can be recycled for another purpose.

And isn’t that what Freecycke is really about?