Freecycle---who uses it?
@mikesgal4ever1999 (732)
United States
July 8, 2007 4:22pm CST
Does anyone use Freecycle? What do you think of the concept? Have you gotten anything great through Freecycle?
I love the idea of Freecycle. It lets me give away something I have still useful to someone who will hopefully benifit from it. I simply do not have the time to have a Yard Sale (though I love going to them) so I would rather just give stuff away to someone who needs it. I have gotten some great items from Freecycle--clothes for the kids, a HUGE near new computer desk (has 2 double door cabinets as well as a file drawer), soft and chair, room darkening curtains (so hubby could sleep during the day), a baby gate and so many other things. I am sure I have given away just as much if not more than I have received. Freecycle is a great community resource in my opinion.
6 people like this
10 responses
@eden32 (3973)
• United States
8 Jul 07
I think it's a great idea. I list items with our local freecycle every time I clean out a closet or cabinet. And I have picked up a couple of nice things. Awhile back an organization I donate to was looking for craft supplies for handicapped kids, I posted the request to our freecycle & within moments had boxes & boxes of donations.
4 people like this
@mikesgal4ever1999 (732)
• United States
8 Jul 07
Isnt' Freecycle great? Just today I saw where a Youth Group is looking for the codes on Coke products. They are going to turn them in to help families at xmas time. Thanks for responding.
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
8 Jul 07
Here in Ohio we have several groups of freecycling. Due to a housefire we have lost alot and through freecycling we round out from the donations to what we are able to buy for this family of four. I usually make a good impression since there are a few now that when they offer something, they know that they can call me and I will show up and use what I can and if not donate to Salvation Army or the free clothing bank. It is great and timing is everything and showing up is too.
@mikesgal4ever1999 (732)
• United States
9 Jul 07
Hi Willow--that is what I do too---if I get a bag of goodies through Freecycle, I take what I can use and either re-Freecycle or donate the rest. I know that Freecycle has helped quite a few in my area from house fires. Thanks for the response.
@theproperator (2429)
• United States
8 Jul 07
I've only used free-cycle a couple times. We used it to get some free fill dirt for our yard when we moved here. And we gave away our old sink and vanity when we remodeled the bathroom.
I think it is a great idea, although we usually give our old stuff to thriftstores because I am a little leery of strangers coming to our house to pick up stuff.
3 people like this
@mikesgal4ever1999 (732)
• United States
8 Jul 07
Thanks for responding. I can't blame you about being leery of strangers, you just never know these days. I have to admit that the people I have dealt with have been GREAT. I have met people in town to pick up items or 'deliver' them. Sometimes it makes things easier.
@kelly60 (4547)
• United States
9 Jul 07
I have been a member of FreeCycle for a long time now. I have given away and gotten many items. I have gotten a dishwasher, a blender and food processor, and some strawberry and raspberry plants and a couple of fish. I have given away a refrigerator, a dishwasher, a computer, clothing, holiday decorations, and more. I think that it is a great way to help others while helping yourself.
@mikesgal4ever1999 (732)
• United States
9 Jul 07
Freecycle IS a great idea and wish I had known about it years ago---when I think of how much I actually threw away that was still useable, it saddens me to know that I could have kept it out of the landfill and that someone else could have gotten use out of it. Thanks for responding.
1 person likes this
@jolenegreen (1209)
• United States
15 Jul 07
I have used freecycle a few times. I cant remeber what for...childrens books was one of them! I have used it numerous times to get rid of something though, LOL. Great for getting rid of things! HEHE
1 person likes this
@mikesgal4ever1999 (732)
• United States
15 Jul 07
I have used Freecycle a lot to declutter things around my house. It has been AWESOME for that. I have met some great people along the way and been able to find out about community activities. And it has helped me so much to find things I have needed that I honestly could not afford. We are a one-working-adult household so its hard to afford things sometimes. Thanks for your response!
@victoria_trix (59)
• United States
13 Jul 07
I really like freecycle. I wish I could do it more often but with only one car its hard to run out for things when Hubby is at work. Just last week my daughters bike was stolen from in front of our apartment building. I freecycled for one in our city so she could walk to get it if I found one. Not only did I find one that all it needed was a bath but this lady brought it to me! I was so super touched by how nice she was. I also like the fact that I can get things out of my way quickly and they go to people who can really use it.
1 person likes this
@mikesgal4ever1999 (732)
• United States
14 Jul 07
Oh absolutely. There are some GREAT Freecyclers out there. I myself have taken things that I have offered to people who didn't have the trasportation. I love being able to see things that I can no longer use, go to someone who CAN use it. Right now I am working on an end table that I was Freecycled. My son is working on sanding and making it sturdier and then I am going to paint it and then do One Stroke on the top of it. Just a fun project. Thanks for the response victoria :-)
@urbandekay (18278)
•
9 Jul 07
Yes, and I am the moderator of our local group, I have got many wonderful things through it and given away some things too.
all the best urban
1 person likes this
@mikesgal4ever1999 (732)
• United States
10 Jul 07
Thanks for the response urban...I, too, am a Freecycle Mod. Freecycle has helped me so much to find things that I need.
@mikesgal4ever1999 (732)
• United States
10 Jul 07
Freecycle was a new concept to me as well. I didn't begin using it until 2005 when I was pregnant with my last child. I was using groups that I found close to my area but none existed for my area. Finally one started in my county and then since I live so close to the county line, I opened one up for the neighboring county. That started a chain reaction and another county close by opened one. Now there is only one county left in the Eastern Panhandle of WV that does not have one.
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
9 Jul 07
I think the concept of Freecycle is a great one. I used to be a member and I gave away some items. My only problem was that I could not take advantage of some of the great offers because I don't drive and it is hard to get a ride at a moment's notice. Other than that, I loved it.
1 person likes this
@mikesgal4ever1999 (732)
• United States
9 Jul 07
Thanks for responding. Such a shame you could have found a way to stay with it--I know some people are willing to bring things to you or meet you at a location or even hold items for you. Not everyone is but some are.
@student7 (1002)
• United States
9 Jul 07
I use it and ended up getting the mechanics repair manuals for the exact year of my car. I got a artifical Christmas tree that was around $80 in the store. I also got a candle and christmas items. I couldn't believe it. I always use freecycle. Another one you could check out is Craigslist.org. It has a lot of listings and there is even a free section.
1 person likes this
@mikesgal4ever1999 (732)
• United States
10 Jul 07
Freecycle is great. I have gotten so many things--just yesterday I picked up 2 storm/screen doors. I have heard of Craigslist but haven't tried it yet. The one closest to me is an hour's drive at least. Thanks for the response.
