Freecycle Giving Tips

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

04 Jun 2010 11:28 AM

It has been happening a lot lately. I've been posting multiple items on Freecycle.org to bless others, to keep things out of the landfill, and to declutter our home. But lately, giving the items away has been a big hassle. Here is what I learned. Hopefully, it can help you to have a better experience.

Report No Shows

For the longest time, I couldn't bring myself to report people who claimed an item and then didn't show up to retrieve it or bother to contact me. I figured that things happen. But reporting people who don't show up helps the group in the long run.

Be Really Honest with Descriptions

I know you may think the world of your old couch, but if it has a spring in it that is popped up make sure to mention that. Try to be as descriptive as possible with items. Usually there is someone who wants it no matter what the condition, and this way you won't be disappointed if someone show up to pick up an item and then leaves it behind because they thought it was different or in better condition.

Sell It Instead

One weird phenomena I have found is that sometimes you can offer an item for free and no one will actually come to pick it up. Instead, if you offer it for a ridiculously low price (on Craigslist not Freeecycle of course) people will snap it up and be very reliable with pick up. I guess they think that a low price equals a bargain, and believe free equals something not very good. If you find that there is no interest on Freecyle for a particular item, try selling it cheaply instead.

Check the Member's History

Just doing a search on the username of a member will allow you to see how many offers the member has made. A Freecycle administrator told me that members who post offers often are usually very reliable about picking up items.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, online content manager, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania in the middle of the woods but close enough to Target and Home Depot.

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