Freecycle...

[snags]

I have recently signed up and put my first item on there for collection. Had a good response, but every enquiry I have had has included a long, rambling story about why they want the item. Is this normal? If you want it just come and get it, I'm not interested in why you want it...

Or am I just being a miserable git?

[chelle7272]

It's to convince you to pick them to give your stuff to. More and more it seems to be first come first served these days though.

[AB Editor]

"Or am I just being a miserable git?"

Yes. People believe they have a better chance of you giving it to them if they've got a good story. Play along, you get to be The Decider!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irMeHmlxE9s

[237SJ]

I try to do first come first served. I think it`s only fair. I haven`t had any sob stories though - just people asking if the item is still available and the occasional request for a phtoto.

[snags]

''More and more it seems to be first come first served these days though''

Which is what I've done...

[ChuckFickens]

CD's made you get rid of the gimp suit then?

[snags]

One of them, yes...

[mccfluff]

he gave that back to triggs

[chelle7272]

Don't blame you snags, so do I, I can't be reading through loads of people life stories, I just want things out of the way.

[snags]

Exactly chelle...

[grasscarp]

My daughter is addicted to freecycle for disposing of things. She is now also a moderator. Some of the people who collect things off her are "regulars", but I dont think she gets many long stories. She picks out who she wants to say they can have it and it is usually the first one to ask.

[bushbaby_de]

A lot of freecyclers subscribe to the fair use policy, where they don't do it first come first served to be fairer to those not online 24/7 and to let the item go to someone in genuine need. Hence the storys about why people want the item. In my group its pretty much the only way its done.

[classylady60]

Luckily I've not experienced stories et al, just people asking nicely most times and those who don't I wouldn't consider them as manners cost nothing IMO. I think Freecycle in a wonderful idea and have passed on lots of things this way and even picked up a few things that I've wanted too.

[bednobs]

its so you can feel good about yourself as a benevolent provider and bestower of goods!
i personally pick the person who can pick it up quickest

[RATTER15]

We have had a few things off of Free-Cycle, we often say why we would like them, no sob story, just a brief explanation.

Ans on offering anything we would probably be more like to let it go to a deserving cause rather than someone who is just going to profit from it by putting it in a boot sale.