# GAH!  Freecycle idiots

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gah-freecycle-idiots/608155>\
**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:** 5\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![ballardfam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8797f3/32.png) [@ballardfam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ballardfam)\
**Post date:** [January 23, 2012, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gah-freecycle-idiots/608155/41 "2012-01-23T18:44:38Z")

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I don’t know if this is generally true or just true in my experience but I’ve found that hanging a story to the object you’re trying to get rid of makes it more attractive.

Like my daughter’s mattress. The first ad I put said: "Free full mattress. Stained on cover only, no urine/deep stains, no odor. Barely a year old. " No takers.

The second ad: “My 5 yr old played make up on my daughter’s bed. Badly stained full mattress but surface only. No urine, no odor. Barely a year old. Can’t use because she’s switching to daybed in her ‘teen lounging room’. Free to good home.” Got multiple inquiries and picked up within an hour & 1/2 of posting.

It’s happened with other crap too. The more verbose & chatty the ad, the more interest in the item.

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**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\
**Post date:** [January 23, 2012, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gah-freecycle-idiots/608155/42 "2012-01-23T20:46:47Z")

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> [@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.

Did they update the note to say “Not any more”?

Regards,  
Shodan

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**Author:** ![kath94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/67e7ee/32.png) [@kath94](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kath94)\
**Post date:** [January 24, 2012, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gah-freecycle-idiots/608155/43 "2012-01-24T00:33:27Z")

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> [@WhyNot](#):
>
> 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.

I have found this, also. But my “asking price” is usually a bit lower, maybe $10-$15. I want it to go, but not cause \*too much \*guilt to the taker. 🙂

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**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\
**Post date:** [January 24, 2012, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gah-freecycle-idiots/608155/44 "2012-01-24T01:10:44Z")

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> [@wheresgeorge04](#):
>
> Where the fuck did these come from?

Anyone who thinks texting is degrading our language does not know the first thing about language and is too stupid to do even cursory research. Someone governed by a knee-jerk reaction like that is a moron.

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**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\
**Post date:** [January 24, 2012, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gah-freecycle-idiots/608155/45 "2012-01-24T02:04:57Z")

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> [@kath94](#):
>
> I have found this, also. But my “asking price” is usually a bit lower, maybe $10-$15. I want it to go, but not cause \*too much \*guilt to the taker. 🙂

I live in Chicago. The cost of living is higher. 😉

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