OT - Freecycle

Hi All -

Is anyone a member of their local Freecycle organization?  I just joined last week and I have someone coming to my house tonight to pick-up an item.  Any tips or general info. that you might want to share?  

It appears to be a pretty good organization.  I'm all for giving something away to someone who needs it instead of tossing it or taking it to Goodwill.

Lisa

I've used it for a while - it's a great thing! Everyone I have dealt with is super nice.

Liz - thanks for the input.

I gave my address of course and then gave them my phone # in case they get lost in my apartment complex.  Hopefully it's not someone creepy.  I got the vibe that it was a woman, but I couldn't tell from the email address for sure.  Fortunately, my boyfriend will be at my place when they stop by to pick-up.

Lisa

i am a moderator at our local freecycle

 always be careful giving out your phone number...only put it in your reply to someone who wants the item and not in your original offer post...

if your uncomfortable going to the door ...you can always set the item outside at the time they are to come and pick it up..just let them know where it will be when you are making arangements...

i think you wil enjoy freecycle its a great place and you will meet some wonderful people

use your best judgement and if something or someone doesn't seem right please report it to your freecycle owner or moderators

happy freecycling!!!

Vicki
Moderator
Mercer County Freecycle

Vicki - thanks so much for the input.  I actually responded to this person's "wanted" notice, so I didn't put my phone number out there to everyone - only the original poster.

Lisa

Lisa - What is Freecycle? I'm getting ready to start cleaning out my basement and I have things down there that are too good for trash and I give tons to GW as it is. How do you get involved? What types of things do they take? Thanks - Kathy

Kathy -

Freecyle is a group of people that want to give away items to people who want them.  No money is exchanged.  The basic idea is to send less to our landfills by giving to those who need it. 

You can go to Freecycle.org and type in your zip code to find a group that is local to your area.  You then join the group.  There should be directions on the page on how to join. I had to send my contact info. to the group moderator along with a sentence or two about why I wanted to join.

I believe that you can post just about anything except alcohol and medications.   So far, I have seen everything from furniture to unopened boxes of tampons.

You have to be willing to let people come to your home for pickup.  You can do what they call a "porch pick up".  You leave the items on your porch and give your address.  You don't have to have direct contact with the person receiving unless you want to.  Last night I met the person picking up something that I had out in front of my apartment building. 

Lisa

Thanks Lisa - I think I'll check it out. Started that basement project last night and already the 'donate' pile is huge! I'll let some family members rummage through it first but I might see if I can connect with Freestyle and give them a try. The stuff is all good - nothing broken - lots of decorative house stuff that I don't use anymore. This is a huge help - thanks again!!