Why does someone always have to push the envelope?
By dloveli
@dloveli (4366)
United States
August 2, 2010 6:38am CST
In my area we have a "FreeCycle Group". For those of you who aren't familiar with this type of group its a site where anything you dont need, want or have too many of you can offer it to others. For example, I was cleaning out my closet and gave away a ton of clothes, bags, appliances, even an old computer. If you think you would like to have it, you may put in a request. If the giver chooses you, its yours. It really is a great idea. I have gotten an antique tea pot, a pair of sconces, even some crocheting books. There are times when someone may buy a new car and have a nice pair of rims, or a computer, etc. There are literally people asking for surround sound. One woman posted that her twins birthday party was coming up and she was wondering if anyone had the following. Then you look and there was a list of 43 things including a small pool, party favors, ANything with the DORA, PRINCESS, OR PINK MOTIFF. WHAT? Come on! Am I the only one that thinks that's bull$hit? There are others asking for redeemable bottles and cans and another who wants all our scrap metal. You're not supposed to ask for things that bring on revenue. The woman with the party list she kept posting every week with what was left on the list. Some people dont have. I know. Ive been there. But do they really need those things or are they trying to keep up with the Joneses? Why is it that someone always has to push it? Why does something as wonderful as a freecycle site have to be polluted by greed?
3 people like this
13 responses
@kukueye (1759)
• Malaysia
2 Aug 10
Interesting concept your freecycle group. Here in my country we have not started anything like tat, but community forum do have section where sell they unwanted goods and some will give away stuffs like for example aquarium, old furniture and such. There is also a movement , where old folks home or charity organization will setup small collection points in strategic location in housing areas, to collect any unwanted stuffs for recycling. People just give them the stuffs , and charity home will sell them for the cash.
2 people like this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
2 Aug 10
hi dloveli I think there should be some sor of limit as to how this is run, I get the idea each of you list what you are giving away, and others can ask for on or more of the items, and you choose who you want to give it too, right? I think its okay to ask for some specific items in case someone of the site might have those but not for expensive things that a lot of people cannot afford any way.There will always be those who want things that are too grabby but that is the way of life. I would not worry it at all.
2 people like this
@Christmas2006 (1661)
• United States
2 Aug 10
Unfortunately, greed exist as part of life, If you can get it for free why pay for it! No I have never heard of "freecycle group".
My friends church (Adventist) takes in anything used that you don't want then gives it away free. I know they help many people and what ever is left (clothing) is packed up for Missions field. This is a part of thier churchs mission field and if you ever needed help with anything they would help you, you don't need to be a part of their church to receive help, so if you are in desperate need, call your local Adventist church.
1 person likes this
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
5 Aug 10
oh it's greed with some of them,definetly.
i saw one the other day asking for a CAR..then being picky about what kind it can be saying "don't you give me this or that"!
it's like oh no you didn't,you take what you get if you get,and your a** can say thank you.
we've got people asking for entire kids' stuff (not necessities-iphones and stuff) or household stuff at once.
if they had a fire or something,ok..but otherwise..
we've got people asking for entire kids' stuff (not necessities-iphones and stuff) or household stuff at once.
if they had a fire or something,ok..but otherwise..
@dloveli (4366)
• United States
14 Aug 10
Hey Dawnald! you're right about the site being a wonderful idea that's for sure. Its the fact that people dont know when to call it a day. I mean just yesterday I was on the site and there was a woman asking for a queen size platform bed. Are you serious? If you need a bed, you take what you can get. I understand you may ask for a specific size but it seems to me you should not be picky. There's a man on here asking for gucci dress shoes. Why do they have to be gucci? It makes me so mad. Thanks for listening dl
@RobtheRock (2433)
• United States
5 Aug 10
Temptation is a hard thing to resist. So some people let greed consume and dominate them. There should be a limit of what people can get. And it is sad that people think they have to keep up with the Joneses.
1 person likes this
@dloveli (4366)
• United States
6 Aug 10
Hey Rob, Just before I read your response, I was viewing the website I was speaking about. I swear I am not even exaggerating when I tell you that a woman just asked for a stove, electric mixer, vacuum cleaner, microwave oven, blow dryer, etc. She said that these things werent working very good and needed to be replaced then she listed these items among others. I dont think these people care that they look like A holes. Its sad. It really is. dl
@rogue13xmen13 (14402)
• United States
2 Aug 10
It's like I said before, people are greedy by nature.
Anyway, for a site like this people should not push the envelope like that. They can go to other sites or they could go to other places to get money if they need it that much.
@GardenGerty (160935)
• United States
2 Aug 10
I joined about six freecycle groups when trying to get rid of something for my son while he was away. He and the exwife lost the house and she had an upright piano. We have a lot of what appears to be too much asking, and then we have a lot of blessings. We have people who have been stood up on pickups before, and they get almost rude in their posts, but I understand. I almost never get what is advertized. That is okay. I am not desperate. Some of the "needs" I see are just wants. Some people also enjoy blessing others like Gifts and Bags said. Personally, I donate most things to a group in our church that provides for people in our community. Some of them are literally sleeping on the floor and have had no beds,etc. I also take a lot of my stuff to our recycle center where there is a reuse section. That is probably why freecycle is not real big in our town, we do it other ways. I think if picking up bottles cans, or scrap metal is offered as a service, it might help someone, but as you say, sometimes it sounds like gimme gimme.
@Sourceseeker (1197)
• United States
3 Aug 10
If someone did not always push till the end of the envelope how would we know the limit of our human ability?
Would we have ever learned to fly or go into space? Would we drive cars 200 miles and beyond? Without the pushing of the envelopes there would be few inventions and new discoveries and there is nothing out of the ordinary that would happen and how fun would life be then.
@snowy22315 (182065)
• United States
2 Aug 10
I think it is human nature. I go with the old adage you never know unless you ask. Truth be told we don't know anybody else's circumstances. Maybe her child is sick she has no money and this option was avaialble to her. People are free to say no or I dont have it. I agree though sometimes people are a bit over the top when it comes to things like this.
@celticeagle (168192)
• Boise, Idaho
3 Aug 10
That is how kids are being brought up. You have to have all these new gadgets and keep up with the other guy. And, hey, if they can get it on a recycle site all the better. I just try to overlook these kind of people. Deal with if I have to. I try to live a life of taking care of my little circle and doing the best for it that I can. What else can you do?
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
4 Aug 10
I've been a member of our local freecycle group almost since it started and though there have only been a few things that I've gotten from it, there have been a lot of things that I've been able to save from the landfill by giving them to people that have given things a new life.
However, just like you've mentioned, I've observed that there are people on there that are greedy and it does nothing but make me upset. I can understand being the person that has nothing, but in this situation, it isn't the case, I think there are people that are trying to make money off of the things that other people don't want anymore and I've never offered to those that frequently ask for that reason.
