Greed, greed, greed.

[leelapops]

Until recently I was a member of two freecycle-type groups. I am sure a lot of you are familiar with the idea-kind of like ebay but free; people post their unwanted stuff in the hope others can use it and it stays out of landfills.

I cancelled my membership because the posts had fairly quickly developed into about 90% "wanted". Are people just always in things for themselves? Is it such a selfish society we love in today? As this should maybe be in soc. and culture, I will also say that it's bad for my soul that so many people are all about themselves! ;)

x

[4getmenot]

some people unfortunately in this world need alot more than they can give.

[leelapops]

4get, I understand what you are saying, but that isn't the issue, because the whole ethos of the freecycle "movement" is to help others. But I am not talking people who need furniture for their first home, or single parents who'd like clothes and toys for their kids, or charities in desperate need of something. I talking people who ask for mopeds, widescreen tvs, top-spec laptops. Luxuries, not necessities. It just spoils the whole idea. I don't have a lot to give, but if I can help I will. I would love brand new/matching furniture, but I can't afford it so I don't post on sites asking for a matching bedroom set etc.

Just seems symbolic of the world we live in today. Others suffer in the extreme while we p*** and moan about tvs that are only 23" and not 30".

[4getmenot]

yes that does annoy me that I live on my own but work full time and still dont have any luxuries, whereas people on benefits seem to have massive tv's and every games console going. Maybe I'm just jelous

[Rosenicola]

That is true actually 4get, never thought of it that way..

I wonder where they get the money for these things?

[4getmenot]

they dont, they get in debt then go bankrupt and start it all over again. It always seems to be the hardworking people that have bad luck and end up paying for more stuff. Well maybe thats just me. :-)

[leelapops]

No, 4get, love, you're not the only one! It is frustrating to work so hard, and to only just be surviving.

As to where people on a low income find money for nice things, maybe they post wanted ads on freecycle sites....

People have different priorities I suppose-I don't go out much, and we don't have lots of new things. But we eat healthily and well, and we have heating, and electric, and we are comfortable. I just think that these are the most important things in life, along with friends. All these extras are, to me, uneccessary, and are certainly no guarantee of happiness.

x

[Rosenicola]

Me too, don't worry..

As long as i can buy an outfit from Topshop each month and a night out, i'm fine :-)

[leelapops]

Rn, good girl :) I think that's all that's needed, a little treat and a good time with friends. I don't need anything more.

x

[4getmenot]

see I think the difference is I worry about money and getting in debt and will only buy what I can afford, whereas some spend like theres no tomorrow.

[4getmenot]

but at end of day those are the people that will have no money when they pass away to pass down to their families. I have a mortgage so I at least know I have something

[annie0000]

I think it is sad the way that society is going and I agree leelapops, I am also a member of my local freecycle group. I have recently posted my son's midi bunk bedframe on there, but had no response, when i went on a few days later, someone had a wanted for a midi bed frame with drawers and things under it. I contacted them and asked if they wanted the frame that I had, only to get the response that she would rather wait and get one with matching drawers etc. even though, she could have my frame and maybe post again for some drawers to fit under. I have only ever asked for one thing, which was a copy of a newspaper that had my son's first class picture in it, or the photo reference so that I could get a copy as my husband had recycled ours. However, they wouldn't post my request as it did not fit their guideline of recycling. Whereas people asking for roof bars for their car, digital cameras, mobile phones etc does!

I think that people nowadays are not prepared to wait until they can afford things and then again why should they wait when they can have them now and then not bother to pay the debt. maybe it is us who are wrong. My mum always still talks about when we were kids and money was short and had few luxuries, yet other kids in the same boat who got into trouble got free holidays and trips when we got nothing for behaving - what an example to set. However, all 7 of us grew up into law abiding, hard working people - god knows how!!!

[Champagne]

I have to say that I don't really notice the 'wanted' notices because when I use those freecycle sites it's only to give something away. I seldom do a search for something I want in the hope of getting it for free.

Or is that just me?

[pjay119]

Got to agree with you all about the freecycle sites.however i tend to pity those who are so greedy for they will allways need more and waste so much of their lives trying to get it,Surely those of us who are more contented with their lot can concentrate on lifes real treasures... family and friends.
SO dont envy them pity them....

[leelapops]

pjay, good perspective :)

annie, that IS sad. My friend recently gave some baby stuff away on our local freecycle, then posted the required notice to say it had found a new home. Minutes later, some woman emailed her and said, "I know that the baby stuff has gone, but can you get it back? Because I want it."

What the h*ll is wrong with people? x

[joko]

its the tone and lack of effort of the messages that gets me.

wanted: laptop, MUST run winxp and have a dvdrom and in good working order. can collect locally

or just

need a cd player, thanks
or

i want a modern looking tv, as mine looks old. i am prepared to pick up.

its the lack of politeness, the demands, specifications, only prepared to collect in immediate vicinity, expecting top notch stuff etc
no please, thank you, appreciation etc
some even say thanks in advance - someone gives you a laptop and you can't be arsed to send an email of thanks!?

[woolleysheep]

todays people want to spend more than they have whether it is time or money , they have never got enough

[leelapops]

joko-ABSOLUTELY IT! The blase expectation that people who have top-spec homweare at their disposal will drop it all on their laps at their convenience. *sigh* I don't wish to be part of that.
x

[bednobs]

i disagree, i think the WANTED ads are in the spirit of freecycle (ie if someone wants somethng, why not get it off someone who dosent want it rather than more being made, using up energy and resources)
As an example, i posted a wanted ad to see if anyone had a roof box for a car i could either have or borrow. I am going away for 1 week and need to carry more stuff than my car fits in. While i could afford 200 quid for a roof box, if someone has one they dont want, or could lend me, why not use that one? For a start it will save me 200 quid, and secondly i wont have to order one from ford, and use up all the resources taken to make one. After all, it's up to other users if they want to reply or not

[Ethel]

A lot of the goods on freecycle end up on eBay, making a nice profit for somebody.

And a lot of people want something for nothing - downloading music., films, software and so on because they are not prepared to pay. It devalues the goods and makes things worthless - easy come, easy go. I remember in the 1970s a single was around 65p. Now you can legally buy a single online for much the same price, or less, but many prefer to steal from the artists and the producers.

Sheer greed.