# GAH! Freecycle idiots **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 2, 2012, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gah-freecycle-idiots/608155 "2012-01-02T17:10:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Yorikke](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yorikke/32/4335_2.png) [@Yorikke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorikke)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gah-freecycle-idiots/608155/21 "2012-01-03T15:13:23Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > I just put stuff on the street and leave a message on craigslist telling people where it is. I get emails sometimes, but I just ignore them. I don’t got time for 21 questions. We did this with a sofa that was too large for our new apartment. Told the movers to leave it on the curb, posted to Craig’s List, and it was gone in less than four hours. Joe ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2012, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gah-freecycle-idiots/608155/22 "2012-01-03T18:19:55Z")
I had an old dresser that I didn’t want to move. It was ugly, but perfectly functional. I would have kept it if I didn’t have to move it across state. Just put it by the dumpster and by the next morning it was gone. Hopefully it went to a good home. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2012, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gah-freecycle-idiots/608155/23 "2012-01-04T01:15:27Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > Years ago, keyboards were all capital letters only. (This is like, when Apple ][ computers were carved out of solid granite). Is it possible that some people out there are still using keyboards like that? > > [sub](Probably not. You can’t get on-line with network cards carved out of solid granite.)[/sub] If so, it’s the solemn duty of modern keyboard makers to edumacate those who, by way of antique and quite presumably ruined materiel (since plastic doesn’t fare well when bashed with a large club), join us in the XXIst century. For example: why not hook up the CAPS LOCK key directly with the wall socket ? I can see no downside - it’d be entertaining AND didactic. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2012, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gah-freecycle-idiots/608155/24 "2012-01-04T17:38:57Z")
We sold a sectional on CLfor a nominal fee ($100- we’d bought it six months earlier for $500) when we were moving. An old lady showed up to buy, then said she only had half the money and couldn’t afford any more. In the same minute, she saw the wife’s grandmother’s china cabinet and asked if we were interested in swelling that, too. :rolleyes: So I kicked the lying old biddy down the stairs. ---
**Author:** ![fluiddruid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@fluiddruid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluiddruid)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2012, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gah-freecycle-idiots/608155/25 "2012-01-04T18:12:41Z")
Freecycle is a cool idea but too many pocket Napoleons for my taste. They finally splintered into two groups in my city. I left Freecycle due to drama and joined the other one, and finally unsubscribed because – even though I had opted for no emails, since I just wanted to list, not take – the admin insisted on sending mass emails several times a week about RULE VIOLATIONS!!! that will NOT BE TOLERATED!!! and so on. Now, I use Craigslist and I’m happy that idiots out themselves. I put in simple instructions as to how to respond and ignore morons who don’t read this, and if you miss a pickup then screw you, no second chances. No deliveries, no sob stories, no holding items, no zillion questions – I describe it adequately, generally with a picture, if that’s not enough, too bad. I only schedule pickups at times when I’d be home anyway – no more waiting for people. Once in awhile I’ll break these rules to get rid of something that’s a huge pain in the ass (like a broken appliance that people want for parts) just because it’s easier than the alternative, but for most stuff it’s not necessary. Usually it’s fine and I have put a lot of household items into the hands of people who truly needed it, but you learn to screen high-maintenance people pretty quick. It’s nice just to have someone come get it, especially for pain in the ass stuff like old furniture. I’d probably just as soon give them to charity but the local Goodwill has gotten to be too much of a pain in the ass in all of their restrictions. I don’t bring them trash but I get why they do it, because of abuse, but it’s just too much hassle at this point. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2012, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gah-freecycle-idiots/608155/26 "2012-01-04T18:24:53Z")
> [@fluiddruid](#): > > I’d probably just as soon give them to charity but the local Goodwill has gotten to be too much of a pain in the ass in all of their restrictions. I don’t bring them trash but I get why they do it, because of abuse, but it’s just too much hassle at this point. I haven’t given stuff to Goodwill in about 10 years – can you describe some of their new restrictions in case I’m thinking about it again? ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2012, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gah-freecycle-idiots/608155/27 "2012-01-04T18:43:05Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > My sister and brother-in-law bought a new tv this Christmas season - they put their old tv out in the back alley, and it was gone hours later. Easiest form of Freecycle. 😃 Absolutely! I never bother with anything else and this always works. Either it goes to somebody who can use it, or somebody takes it and fixes it up and it brings them a bit of money. Good for the planet, too! ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2012, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gah-freecycle-idiots/608155/28 "2012-01-05T18:43:21Z")
And for anyone who looks down their nose at picking up free stuff in back alleys, there have been a couple of times last year that I saw something I liked, and next time I came back, it was gone - there are apparently A LOT of people who like free stuff in back alleys. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gah-freecycle-idiots/608155/29 "2012-01-06T00:36:29Z")
My local freecycle list was full of people begging for stuff. It was maybe 25% people offering things, and 75% begging. I filtered out most of the begging, but the few times I’d post something, I’d get begging for related objects. Not worth it. Now it just goes on craigslist. When people play that “I didn’t bring enough cash with me” game, I just shrug and tell them where the nearest ATM is. ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gah-freecycle-idiots/608155/30 "2012-01-06T01:08:47Z")
A little over a year ago, I had an extra tube TV laying around that I wanted to get rid of before I moved. It worked just fine so I figured I’d donate it or give it away or something. I tried a local nursing home - they never responded. So I decided to give Freecycle a try. On the local Freecycle, you have to “apply” for a membership and say why. So I applied and said that I had a decent TV that I wanted to give away. Membership request DENIED. Wait, what? I have something that is nice and I just want to give it to someone. I’ll even drop it off somewhere, I don’t care. But nope. Denied. Then two or so months after I’d already gotten rid of the television (gave it to a friend for his daughter’s bedroom), I got an email accepting me. Ummm…I don’t want to be a member anymore, guys. ---
**Author:** ![Suil\_Dubh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/85f322/32.png) [@Suil\_Dubh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suil_Dubh)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gah-freecycle-idiots/608155/31 "2012-01-06T04:16:02Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Texting has brought us back to stone age usage of language. Think in terms of the old SNL Frankenstein, Tarzan, and Tonto skits. I was trying to write a condolence letter for someone recently, and so I was looking on the Internet for some examples. I found a site with example “condolence text messages” which included gems like this: > [@](#): > > I wish to extend my heartfelt condolences on da bereavement caused by da untimely death of ur mother. I pray 4 her soul 2 rest in peace & fr U 2 regain strength frm dis. IT’S A CONDOLENCE MESSAGE! TAKE THE DAMN TIME TO TYPE OUT THE WORDS PROPERLY. I swear, if I was in mourning, and someone sent me one of these, there would be an additional death occurring very shortly afterwards. ---
**Author:** ![jacobsta811](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jacobsta811/32/2893_2.png) [@jacobsta811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jacobsta811)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2012, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gah-freecycle-idiots/608155/32 "2012-01-07T22:33:20Z")
My freecycle is like the one a few posts up talked about - all gimme gimme gimme beggars and few people giving away stuff. Give aways mostly pets & old furniture, and the gimmes all want washers, dryers, stoves, clothes in their sizes, food, etc (often all of the above in one post !). What I wouldn’t give for some nazi moderators that just killed all requests entirely, or at least all requests that aren’t for something that most people would consider junk/garbage like “need baby food jars for crafts” or something. ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2012, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gah-freecycle-idiots/608155/33 "2012-01-07T22:50:11Z")
This person would have seemed more sincere if their Yahoo handle wasn’t StretchThatDollar - 'Want: FOOD \> \> DESPERATELY SEEKING (Can use LOTS, especially: Meats, Dairy, Produce, Baking items such as flour, Munchies, ETC.) Thank You, Denise PLEASE TEXT ME AS SOON AS YOU CAN or email me at [stockpilesareus@XXX.com](mailto:stockpilesareus@XXX.com)’ I’m glad to help people who need help, but if you want me to fill your food storage, not going to happen. ---
**Author:** ![saoirse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2012, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gah-freecycle-idiots/608155/34 "2012-01-08T17:32:06Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > Absolutely! I never bother with anything else and this always works. Either it goes to somebody who can use it, or somebody takes it and fixes it up and it brings them a bit of money. Good for the planet, too! Not always. I put an old TV out, with a note that said “works,” and in the morning the casing was bashed in and the metal had been ripped out. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2012, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gah-freecycle-idiots/608155/35 "2012-01-23T17:36:11Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Texting has brought us back to stone age usage of language. Think in terms of the old SNL Frankenstein, Tarzan, and Tonto skits. You’re an idiot… > [@Suil\_Dubh](#): > > I found a site with example “condolence text messages” … and you’re too stupid to understand the idea of a joke, so I guess you’re also an idiot. ---
**Author:** ![fluiddruid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@fluiddruid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluiddruid)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2012, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gah-freecycle-idiots/608155/36 "2012-01-23T17:44:13Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > I haven’t given stuff to Goodwill in about 10 years – can you describe some of their new restrictions in case I’m thinking about it again? I don’t recall but I do remember lugging a ton of stuff back home. As I recall they wouldn’t take any of the garden/outdoor/tool stuff, the TV (because of no remote), and a bunch of other random stuff I can’t recall. It also took a super long time to go through everything and they were in no particular hurry, either. I remember being irritated because they had a ton of rules and didn’t post them online, so there was no way of knowing, but they were also pretty snotty about us bringing forbidden stuff… anyway I just give everything away via Craigslist anymore and screw those guys. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2012, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gah-freecycle-idiots/608155/37 "2012-01-23T18:00:39Z")
> [@](#): > > I wish to extend my heartfelt condolences on da bereavement caused by da untimely death of ur mother. I pray 4 her soul 2 rest in peace & fr U 2 regain strength frm dis. I am truley sorry for your lots. ---
**Author:** ![Azeotrope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/0ea827/32.png) [@Azeotrope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Azeotrope)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2012, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gah-freecycle-idiots/608155/38 "2012-01-23T18:11:04Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > And for anyone who looks down their nose at picking up free stuff in back alleys, there have been a couple of times last year that I saw something I liked, and next time I came back, it was gone - there are apparently A LOT of people who like free stuff in back alleys. 🙂 Every couple years my town does a pickup where you can buy a permit and put out a six-foot-long pile crap on your tree lawn and the town will take it away. THere’s a lot of scavengers who make a point of cruising the neighborhoods during pickup weeks, so you can actually unload 3X as much crap as you’re permitted to put out if you plan accordingly. Anything metal, or electronic, or any furniture in any condition whatsoever is guaranteed to vanish before dawn. ---
**Author:** ![Yorikke](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yorikke/32/4335_2.png) [@Yorikke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorikke)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2012, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gah-freecycle-idiots/608155/39 "2012-01-23T18:24:58Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > You’re an idiot… > > … and you’re too stupid to understand the idea of a joke, so I guess you’re also an idiot. Where the fuck did these come from? ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2012, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gah-freecycle-idiots/608155/40 "2012-01-23T18:36:12Z")
> [@saoirse](#): > > Not always. I put an old TV out, with a note that said “works,” and in the morning the casing was bashed in and the metal had been ripped out. No, no. To ensure your television is taken, you have to put a sign on it that says “$50 Or best offer.” You don’t need to collect the $50, mind, but people will “steal” objects they think are of value, and destroy the “junk” that’s left for free. I wish I was joking. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gah-freecycle-idiots/608155.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gah-freecycle-idiots/608155.md?page=3)