Freecycle Tips
I have been participating with freecycle for about 5 years and have given away a lot and received some as well.
For example, I have given away: a beautiful wooden screen I originally paid $400 for, but had no place for in my current home; a king sized mattress and frame; various computers/computer parts, monitors; cassette tapes; fish tanks; other furniture. I have received cookbooks, an antique food slicer, popcorn, popcorn poppers, etc. Yes, I have given away more than I've received,* but I also benefit from the decluttering.
To manage the massive quantity of email (I get upwards of 200 per day from my local group), create a filter to put your freecycle mail in a special folder. In the morning and whenever I check my email, I go into that folder and click the select all unread messages box. Then, I quickly scan through the titles (our local group follows a strict subject line policy: OFFER/WANTED: THINGY (TOWN NAME)) for items I am interested in. I uncheck the 2 or 3 emails I actually want to read. Then delete the rest. Read those and respond or delete. This is a pretty painless way to deal with the mail volume.
If you are offering something, don't necessarily react positively to the first person responding to your offer. ESPECIALLY if their response is not detailed in any way. A lot of people put autoresponders in their freecycle email that says, "I want it, please call me at ..." without mentioning the item itself. They then review their positive responses to see what they actually want, now that they are first on the list to receive it. Many also use eBay or garage sales to then sell the items. Now, I have no problem with people reselling freecycle stuff. *I could probably resell much of what I have given away, it's just not worth the effort to me. However, many of the "I want it" people don't repond back or don't show up to pick up the item.
Instead, ask for people to include their name, phone, and when they can pick up in their response. Ignore emails that ignore this request. If it is an obviously valuable item, or one I want to go to someone "deserving" I ask for a reason why they want it. This is all to weed out the autoresponders. And wait about 24 hours (unless you become overwhelmed with detailed responses) to make a decision. Give those who only scan online or digest emails a chance.
If you are a single woman, take the usual precautions. I usually arrange pick ups for when my husband is home or I leave stuff outside the garage.
If you are picking something up and it is left outside for you: ONLY TAKE THE ITEM YOU HAVE BEEN OFFERED! It is, at best, rude. And, at worst, theft, to take anything else. Someone else could be on their way to pick up that other widget. When I am giving away more than one thing, I put them in clearly labeled bags and remind people in my direction email to only take the bag with their name on it.
I have even gotten my parents into freecycling. They've gotten rid of an old computer desk, the ping pong table we used to play but had been sitting, unused, in their garage for 15 years, 7 fish tanks (my mom is now redecorating the "moldering fish tank" room), and have never even tried to get anything. Of course, I'm usually the one posting and dealing with the emails for their offerings, but after the first couple pick ups (when they were quite suspicious), they now deal with the pick ups on their own. For the fish tanks, I even asked those receiving them (they were really dirty and gross) to send us pictures after they were cleaned up and in use. My dad was annoyed that I didn't get any money from them (he even tried when a freeccyler was picking up and I had to chastise him), but did appreciate that these people are enjoying the hobby he once did, but couldn't keep up with any more.
