Freecycling

RockyRooster · #1 08/19/06, 12:39 PM

Anybody heard of it. Well I just learned about it last night. And I love it so far only one problem with it I miss seeing things that only homesteaders would want or offer.

But I made a offer: for someone to come get my dollhouse, with furniture, dolls, etc.
Today it has been picked up.
Then I put out a want: I need 5 gallons buckets and pallets. No response yet.

Boy, I wish we had this here. Yes, I know we have the barter board. But serves no purpose to me here in Virginia when the bartering takes place in Vermont. LOL.

For example I want some hay. I know just as good as I am sitting here there is someone near me who needs to get rid of their overabundance. Where to go? Don't know.

Just wanted to let everyone know about this.

primal1 · #2 08/19/06, 12:54 PM

I love freecycle

. I got rid of a room full of old computers and gave away several cups of red wigglers from my indoor composter.
I missed a chance to go take down somebodies 12'X18' deck but there will be other scores to be had.

Cindy in NY · #3 08/19/06, 12:55 PM

We've used freecycle to get rid of several things and have been able to get 4 dozen canning jars and rocks for the garden. I would go ahead and ask for anyone's excess hay. Can't hurt!

mama2littleman · #4 08/19/06, 01:00 PM

Don't forget to check out the freecycles in your surrounding area, i.e next county over

Nikki

sisterpine · #5 08/19/06, 01:03 PM

freecycle is just getting started here near butte montana. i am the in charge of the listings person, whatever that is called lol. hopefully it will get going better soon. i was able to find a home for my 4 extra roos earlier this year and they went to someone who really needed them so that felt good. the down side is that i must continueally turn down requests to publish garbage like how to get rich quick stuff. i just say this is not for solicitation sorry!

Ravenlost · #6 08/19/06, 02:15 PM

I love Freecycle! I've gotten a duck and a 16' trailer load of hay off of Freecycle. I've seen goats, dogs, cats, etc. given away. I've also seen fencing materials, construction materials, etc. given away. I've given away four roosters, a push mower with a broken handle and a washer and dryer. It's great!

RockyRooster · #7 08/19/06, 04:34 PM

Good heavens, lots of freecyclers here. Yeah. On my Freecycle forum cant give away animals. So sad. That is why I miss the homesteading people. Hey you know what I might just look into starting a freecycle forum for homesteaders in my part of the country. Can't hurt, hmmm.

**ladycat** · #8 08/19/06, 04:39 PM

I've gotten lots of good stuff from freecycle but nobody seems to want any of the stuff I try to give away lol

I'm one of the moderators for one of the local freecycle groups.

mama2littleman, lots of people do that. I am a member of the freecycle covering my immediate area plus 3 neighboring ones.

RedHairedBonnie · #9 08/19/06, 05:05 PM

I'm with RockyRooster, I just found it. I'm finding here in Bangor ME you need to move FAST if there is something you want. I'm glad you said something, I was going to post it as a cool site that others should check out.

Stephen in SOKY · #10 08/19/06, 05:39 PM

I had 5 gal metal paint buckets offered for days on end, no response. Then I relisted saying "Great waterers for newly planted shrubs" and had multiple responses. Sometimes you have to spell it out for city folks! Haven't received anything yet, not many homesteading articles other than my own.

RockyRooster · #11 08/19/06, 09:00 PM

Well, tried to start my own homesteading freecycle group and no go. If a freecycle group in my area is already started then they have priority. Oh, well. Think I will drive around tomorrow to see what is really available in my area. Lot's of farmers and so on. Shoot, I am not to proud to ask. Will let you know what I come up with.

Bearfootfarm · #12 08/19/06, 09:13 PM

Check your Dept of Agriculture for a hay directory. They should have a list of those who have hay. Here in NC they list them by counties

bugstabber · #13 08/19/06, 09:16 PM

I was disappointed with our local freecycle so I quit. It was mostly people asking for stuff, someone trying to get others to buy a coupon grocery deal, and a couple porn/singles ads.

**ladycat** · #14 08/19/06, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockyRooster

Well, tried to start my own homesteading freecycle group and no go.

That might be a good idea if there are lots of homesteading people in one area.

There is a Homestead Classifieds but it's a national group.

Spinner · #15 08/19/06, 10:11 PM

I tried to go to freecycle and all I got was some search page. is it freecycle.com or .net? .org? Anyone have a link to it? How do I find if there is a freecycle for my area?

**ladycat** · #16 08/19/06, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spinner

I tried to go to freecycle and all I got was some search page. is it freecycle.com or .net? .org? Anyone have a link to it? How do I find if there is a freecycle for my area?

Here ya go: http://freecycle.org/

Charleen · #17 08/20/06, 09:35 AM

Yes, we have a very active freecycle group in our area. We've joined other near-by areas also. I don't mind travelling up to an hour or so to pick up exactly what I need for the price of nothing.

Before you list all the things that you want, be sure to check your group's rules. Our group only allows 1 WANTED item for each OFFER that you post. Another group allows 1 WANTED item each week regardless of how many OFFERS you post. I wish these were moderated better. Most people do not follow the suggested rules and it gets annoying to open up each mail to read what it's about. So much better to post the item in the Subject line.

Cindy in NY · #18 08/20/06, 10:04 AM

Charleen - the moderator of our Freecycle group asks that everyone put "Offered" or "Need" in their title. Such as "Offered: Recliner" or "Need: Baby Clothes". That way we can skip any that don't appeal to us. We also post "Taken" after the item has been picked up. You might want to suggest this to your moderator.

Honorine · #19 08/20/06, 11:03 AM

I belong to three freecycle groups, my local one is well moderated and has rules, the two others don't and they can be annoying to read with all the silly wants that people post. Some freecycle groups have banned offering animals, giving into pressure from PETA types, mine took a vote and still allows it. Still, every time I've offered an animal there's this one whacko who e-mails me with a form letter cautioning me about how to properly place an animal and how to screen people, like I'm too stupid to already know that. Think I'll block her next time. Anyhow, Freecycle is great, you need to learn who the players are, the ones who are always contacting you for everything and posting gushing thank you posts, I ignore them, they have to be reselling some of the stuff they get. I've given away a lot more than I've ever gotten, which is okay by me, because I'm a horrible pack rat, and have boxes and boxes that haven't been opened in years, and Freecycle has/will help me open some space up for new pickings!!

sullen · #20 08/20/06, 11:15 AM

I am in the 2 freecycle groups around here, but you do have to move FAST or forget it. Everyone is wary of people that might sell the stuff, and I think it's sad and funny when people ask for expensive stuff, like (these are for real) a CAR or a kayak. It's not moochcycle....
What I do hate, and so does everyone else around here, is when people say they want something and then you never hear from them again. I even offered to bring something to someone who was kind of far and they never got back to me.

Ours in Mid coast Maine lets you do animals. Have given away 5 hens. There is a dog currently on one, and there is always cats.