Sob Stories on FreeCycle
By Pigglies
@Pigglies (9329)
United States
April 22, 2009 12:09am CST
I usually get really annoyed with sob stories on FreeCycle. Mostly because they are total lies. Like the lady with kids who said they'd never had a refrigerator before, yeah lady... BS! I don't care, just get that fridge out of my yard. Seriously!
But lately I've been noticing more sob stories due to the economy. Well, I had offered up some clothing and someone emailed me saying they had lost their job back in September, but they lost weight since then and were about to go to the thrift store to buy some "new" clothes. Well, I can't really feel too sorry for people buying stuff at the thrift store being someone who grew up wearing boy's clothing because my larger cousins were all boys! But I felt bad she hadn't found a new job and hey, I just wanted to get the clothing picked up. So I email her my address, she says she'll be here early in the morning. I wake up extra early, leave the stuff out when she doesn't show up, and I came home late tonight to find she never picked it up!
I am one of those people who keeps a list so now I know at least. But wow, I guess don't trust the sob story people! Even if I could really really use something on there, I will always just tell people I would love their stuff, I can pick it up on x date at x time or an alternative time, and then I thank them even if they should choose someone else. I don't need to tell people I would love their audiobooks because I am a horrible reader. I figure whoever they gave them too also "needed" them. And even with more necessary items like clothing, you're obviously not walking around naked unwillingly if you've got a computer and are on FreeCycle. So I guess I should stop feeling sorry for people even a tiny shred and just give my stuff to people who just plain old ask nicely.
1 person likes this
4 responses
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
2 Jun 09
Well, I have seen a lot of different situations and stories over the years since I first started using Freecycle. I know that we had one or two in our area that have been permanently banned from all Freecycles for telling Sob stories and then getting caught selling the items. So personally I think it is all a matter of trusting your instinct and then going from there. Hopefully you will end up helping those who are Honest, and if they are not, they will be the ones caught and having to pay in the end.
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
3 Jun 09
I keep getting flakes lately. But I'm still using FreeCycle to give stuff away. I'm just trying to get a better list so that I know which people I can trust to pick stuff up on time.
I finally got something on FreeCycle too. I rarely get things, but someone was giving away a nice men's waterproof jacket and mine broke this year for volunteering. I have to wear a larger size when I'm volunteering since I have to wear protective clothing underneath. So it's great to not have to go out and buy one.
@frankiecesca (2489)
•
22 Apr 09
I certailny see what your're saying - after all they don't need to explain themselves - if they want it you said they could have it so just come and get it but, I too would be annoyed if they didn't show and I could have given it to somebody else! x
@fatragu (677)
• United States
17 Oct 10
The sob stories aren't really what make me mad. Yeah, I don't like reading them because most of the ones that I have come across aren't believable. Though, I was 25 when I got my first fridge but that was because our landlords always provided them until one of them broke and they refused to let us have another one even though it broke because it was so old. When I got ready to move I sold it for $200.
The people that make me mad are the ones that have the entitlement issue. I lived in Wyoming and there was a gal on our FreeCycle that had a cat that had issues with it's throat and needed surgery that would have to be repeated multiple times over the life of the cat. She told us that we needed to give her all our extra stuff that we had that we didn't need anymore because she was having a yard sale to pay for the surgery. Now had she asked I would have been more inclined to help out but if you tell me that I HAVE to give you stuff to pay for a surgery for your CAT you are SOL in my book.
@Barbietre (1438)
• United States
22 Apr 09
I use freecycle alot, but I do not really care why they need stuff, I just want to get rid of it. but I did notice there was somone who responded to anything and everything I listed. This was a red flag for me and I did npt give them thinks, I think this peson was a reseller. I would really rather give it to someone who needs it. And yes, I have had some no shows, but like you mostly keep a list.
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
22 Apr 09
Yeah, the resellers definitely annoy me. I sell stuff on eBay myself so usually if something I had was of value I would have sold it already, but occasionally people still see stuff they'd like to sell, mostly the computer parts I offer.
I use FreeCycle mostly to get rid of stuff too. And lately I keep hoping for some type of exercise equipment to pop up!
