The Best Things in Life Are Free[cycled]

I figured that a good way to make up for all the thousands of diapers I've donated to landfills over the last few years was to join Freecycle. Just saying I'm a member seems to absolve my past Styrofoam and plastic tampon applicator sins.

Plus, I missed getting the 140 emails from Facebook so I figured this was a better option.

Now my limited knowledge of Freecycle prior to joining was that it was a give and take sort of place where if people had leftover pipecleaners, an old pair of sneakers, or a broken fan, they could list them on the site and some pipecleaner collector or weirdo with an old sneaker fetish could pick them up from you, thus saving them from eventually becoming the nasty smog-filled air that we breathe.

You've got to figure that anything worth any major value would be sold on eBay or Craigslist. And anything not worth selling but clearly not garbage material would be donated to a local charity of some kind.

Right?

So that would leave gobs of wire hangers, some popsicle sticks, and baby food jars. Things that I would definitely throw away, but people might want. For some crazy wire hanger party or popsicle stick festival.

Hey. I don't judge.

But then I realized that not only were people giving away decent things, like bags of clothes and a record player, but people were asking for things. Apparently you can send out "Wanted" emails, you know, in case YOU are the one having a wire hanger party or popsicle stick festival.

However, that's not the case, at least here in my humble but still very busy Atlanta suburb Freecycle group. People seem to think that Freecycle is their Christmas list. That's right, their proverbial letter to Santa. Take this request:

"Wanted: Working washer and dryer. Electric hook-up preferred"

or this one

"Wanted: A working lawnmower please. In very good condition only."

Um. Okay. I'm pretty sure if someone had a working washer and dryer, or a very good lawnmower, they would be using it. Or, perhaps selling it for some money before giving it to you.

Would it be wrong to say "Why not go and buy it?" or "I have one. But I'm USING IT"?

That's me, the Freecycle troll.

Anyway, just last week the mother of all "Wanted" emails came across my email box and I just couldn't help myself.

"Wanted: I am looking for a mobile home that is free for moving thanks."

Now that is ballsy. A freaking MOBILE HOME?

So here was my response:

"Wanted: One million dollars. Large bills are fine thanks."

Okay, so it was my response in my head because you just never know when you're going to need a bag of pipecleaners or hell, a new temporary home in Little Rock, Arkansas for the next 5 months.

And you thought my moving adventures were over.

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So, the Breast Fest Montage is LIVE. Go view, vote, and send out to the world!

Comments

[brookem]

ha.in new zealand we put stuff on the curb. and we have a whole week every year called the inorganic collection week where everyone puts out their junk. its my dad's favourite holiday.

[Michelle]

I love your story and the comments. The worst I see on our Freecycle group, I moderate it, is the sob stories of why people need things. We have a guy who can't type or spell to save his life. His posts always get moderated and edited. Sheesh! People do think it's their wish list at times.

[Jackie]

Actually, on the Freecycle group I'm on someone did give away a mobile home. I don't remember what shape it was in though.

[Steph]

By far the worse thing EVER to cross my local freecycle went something like this...

OFFER: Used underwear size 12.....
Ummm Ewww, but ok I can stomach this part I mean you can offer what you want, no one will take this right? Then a few hours later I come across...

TAKEN: Used underwear size 12.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? People if you need new undies that bad, come to my house. I will give you the money for some new ones I swear!!

I've offered some stuff, mostly baby clothes, an old couch I didn't feel like hauling away, some bricks from the patio, ect. Just stuff I don't feel like taking the time to get rid of myself.

[JanB]

Here is the worst that I have experienced, a woman wrote saying that she would take baby things for a church basement thingy that matched infant things with parents in need. Great huh? I gave her everything, my new (never used) crib, all kinds of stuff, a toddler bed shaped like a fire engine.

Then one day I saw all of my stuff out in a yard sale!!!! It still hurts.

[juice]

I love freecycle. My niece just got me started on it and I have gotten some most needed things for the new Granddaughter...

But then I freak out when I read they want a house,, em we want a house and the money...

[Laura of the National Popsicle Stick Festival]

As the current chairperson of the National Popsicle Stick Festival, I find this post very offensive. Maybe you think used popsicle sticks are some kind of a joke, but for many of us, it is our livelihood. Maybe you should think twice about making such thoughtless comments next time.

[jess]

Oh, that's nothing. I just happened here today, of all days, when our local FreeCycle had this:

Wanted: house

He goes on to say that he wants a house that needs to be majorly fixed up, but he wants someone to GIVE him a whole house!

I have seen someone give a house away, though, on the local one again here. You just had to pay to have it hauled away!

Weird stuff on FreeCycle. I couldn't even get a dehumidifier.

[Amy]

Oh, I just saw this one and had to come share:

"I am in need of hickory wood I think that is how you spell it . My dad
is 75 and wants us to cook him a hog LOL I don't know where to even
start looking for the wood . If anyone could help me out it would mean
the world to my dad ."

[rachel @ Littler Inch]

Note to Kvetch: I've had 5 interstate and one international move in 8 years, and I'll probably have another international move next year! It's really exhausting.

[rachel @ Littler Inch]

Last year, in preparation for my move from the U.S. to Europe (with a drive from Florida to DC first), I joined Freecycle. I had a ton of stuff (most of it really great) that I needed out within 2 days. It was fantastic because I wanted those things to go to use and I wanted them to go to people who needed them. One guy got our extra office supplies and an old printer (he was a teacher in an under-supplied classroom), a teen-aged couple had a baby on the way and had just moved into their own place (they got a ton of stuff), another guy (granted, a bit of a weirdo) was so thrilled these old school metal staplers were now his, another person insisted on paying me for the stuff... I have lots of stories.

But the best one is that a woman on the Freecycle list came by after she got off work and cleaned my kitchen. Just because she was nice like that.

So, I had an insanely positive experience with Freecycle, though I was only on the list for 3 days.

[fidget]

People have given away mobile homes on our local one before.. the WANTED: ad that totally blew me away was when someone was asking for "a helper monkey"

ughhhhh

aaaaaspincter says wha?

[Izzy]

I got kicked off of Freecycle. It's a blog post unto itself. Hey — thanks for the idea :)

[Karen Rani]

I gave a few big ticket items away because a) I could afford to; b) I wasn't using them; and c) I didn't want to pay to have them hauled off.

Having said that, a million dollars in any denomination would be super!

[jaelithe]

Someone gave a house away once on my local Freecycle group. Seriously. They mentioned that it was in a run-down part of the city and it needed some work, and that they would only give it to someone who could prove they had the intent and means to fix it up, but still. Someone gave away A HOUSE, y'all.

(I didn't get it.)

I think it's the occasional amazingly generous giveaway like that that inspires the crazy demanding people, unfortunately.

I have given away some pretty nice clothes on Freecycle, and I gave away all of my cat accessories after my cat died. I also received a lot of great used toys for my son, and some childproofing stuff. Freecycle was really useful to me for a while, but IMO my local group has gotten way too big, and it's just too much of a hassle for me to try to keep track of the postings anymore. Which is too bad.

[Damselfly]

I kind of gave up Freecycling because someone else always beat me to the punch. Every time I asked about something, it was already taken!

[Assertagirl]

This one now is one of the funniest I've seen yet. It is copied and pasted word-for-word:

"I am looking for a 20" (prefer girls) bicycle in good working condition. Some rust doesn't matter, as long as the bike works properly. My grandaughter's bike suddenly broke at the weld while she was riding it.

Or, if someone knows anyone that can weld this bike back together so that it is safe to ride, that would be wonderful."

[Shelly]

I have so had the same thoughts. People put up things that they should have to buy, but are too cheap to go get. I posted a want for stuff for my husband's classroom, but I would never post a want for a working DVD player for personal use. It would seem pretty nervy to ask for things that I should buy myself.

[allie]

Our freecycle moderator is so strict . won't let you ask for anything specific, just "computer printer please". no details , she will email back and say, "this is not a Christmas wish list!"
I did see a 22ft sailboat seaworthy in excellent condition, sleeps 3, docked in Dana Point, CA just listed. Some lucky person will get that!

[Dawn @ Coming to a Nursery Near You]

yeah - I get so sick of the people who think Freecycle means ridiculously obnoxious requests. I moderate my local list and I reply to the dopes with "This isn't "Dear Santa Claus" LOL

[the new girl]

...a wire hanger party or popsicle stick festival.

heh heh.

Hard to imagine a moon bounce made from popsicle sticks.

[carolyn]

I used to check my freecycle email a lot because I was just SURE that some wonderful item I needed/wanted would be offered and I didn't want to miss it. But I got so tired of the WANTEDs for outrageous items, and very specific, too, like "brand new". So I quit reading and I only look at it when I have something to list. And I once had someone ask me to deliver something 35 miles up the road, which I did not do.

[Fairly Odd Mother]

I've posted some really good stuff on freecycle vs. trying to sell it. Why? Because I don't have to haggle over price or have people over to see the item before they buy it. You want it? Come get it. It's lovely.

We got a GORGEOUS 100 year old working piano from freecycle---it cost to move it into our house but it is unbelievable.

I've seen postings asking for cars and one asking for an apartment. Those make me laugh.

[Diatribal]

I love freecycle. We recently moved FROM Little Rock, AR and I unloaded craploads of stuff on there. Stuff that I never in a million years thought people would want.

Um...if you are thinking of coming to Little Rock, let me know. I have lived around LR my entire life. We just moved this year (a great little town in Michigan...loving it.) I still have a house on the market in Little Rock, though. Geez. You just moved! That blows!

[prescott]

Thought I would check the ol' Freecycle inbox for kicks and here's the first thing that came up:

"I am looking for a small device used to melt lead. My dad and I would like one to make our own fishing lures with. So, if you happen to have one laying around the house that you aren't using, I can come pick it up this weekend sometime."

[mothergoosemouse]

Sounds worthwhile, if only for the entertainment value.

[Kristen]

OH GOOD ONE Jennifer.

"Wanted: Brad Pitt. Just for kicks."

[Jennifer]

Wanted: Thin thighs, great complexion, and world peace. Please. Need ASAP!!

I'm totally going to join Freecycle just for the giggles.

[mandy]

I see those crazy posts on mine in NC too. It is so funny, maybe like the lottery. Someone out there JUST might have that pesky mobile home taking up space in their back yard. You never know.

I give so much on freecycle, because I am too lazy to post an ad on craigslist or ebay.

But not to lazy to read your blog.

[Kristen]

Here's one from today:

I am in need of a printer for school. I am currently taking an online
class, and thought everything was going to be emailed; however, I need
to print things off. I could use a printer, that is decent enough for
me to print off my school work.

[Cynthia Samuels]

Oh damn Ms. K! The idea of packing up and leaving that adorable neighborhood. Bummer! I assume this is a temporary airport HQ but I can only (or CAN'T) imagine what it must be like to face packing up PlayDoh and Diaper Genie (and the big furniture) again. I'm so sorry...
Since I am the one who keeps everything we own - and we pay for storage thereof - because it's "too good to throw out" this thing sounds like a dream come true. Thanks for the heads up. Maybe they want all the minced garlic jars and Amazon boxes?

[kim]

I totally love purging our stuff from time to time on Freecycle - and I've gotten some like-new kids clothing/toys too. The stuff here in the DC 'burbs tends to be pretty decent - people give away appliances, computers, tv sets, etc. all the time - and they're aren't as many wanted ads. Whew.

[The Feminist Breeder]

Oh, these are killing me... please post more Wanted examples.

[Mommy off the Record]

That's hilarious. I have heard of freecycle and have wanted to try it out for a while now. Now I know not to ask for a motor home. LOL

[Rachel]

I have a confession to make: I am addicted to freecycle. I have gotten rid of tons of things that I don't need, and received tons of things that I do (and some that I don't to be honest) It really is an awesome alternative to making the hike to salvation army (either to donate or buy). I guess it's because of the area I live in, but people give away great stuff, I've seen double strollers, tickets to baseball games, TVs, computers, literally all sorts of things.

[Aileen]

A post I read to day:

Good Morning,
I was wondering if anyone had a jogging stroller they did not need
anymore. I have been jogging and it it starting to get difficult
keeping my little one entertained:) If anyone has one they wouldnt mind
parting with I would greatly appreciate it. Also... any items for a baby nursery or baby furniture. New would be great.
Thank you,
Carrie

[Aileen]

I've had to stop reading freecycle because here it seemed like all the greedy people were coming out and demanding stuff. There were even posts asking for clothes... saying that selling children's clothes for a profit was a sin because there were so many needy children out there. Uh huh. I am still a member and only post when I have something I want to give away but I don't bother reading anything there anymore. Annoying!

[mommiebear2]

My good friend is always bringing home crap from FreeCycle and sending junk out weekly. I have to admit though, I finally signed up for it today because I have a garage full of toys and other stuff that needs a new home.

[DW]

Oh and I love the Wanted: emails. Few favorites from this week:

Wanted: Girls Dora the Explorer clothes size 3T Good condition only!

Wanted: XXL Coveralls Tan preferably new no holes please! ASAP Need by Tuesday!

[Guilty Secret]

I love freecycle! I have got so much cool stuff and also saved many trips to the tip.

You do get a lot of requests for games consoles and iPods though... who are these people kidding?!

[DW]

Ha! Freecycle. I have a love hate relationship with them. We just listed our old queen size mattress in perfectly good condition because we just bought a king. So far we have received 75 emails asking all sorts of weird questions, for example "What color is the bed?" (Hello? It's a mattress! You are supposed to cover it in sheets!). We have also received tons of emails from people with poor writing skills "Need bed cat pee". Also, one lady who wanted us to deliver the mattress 45 minutes away. Ahhh No. After 45 minutes responding to emails and 50 people saying they will be over right now to pick it up, we still have an extra mattress in our spare room. I just don't want to have to spend the extra money to drop it off at the dump.

[Assertagirl]

This morning: "We have a litter of 5 kittens in need of loving homes. Please email for more info."

Oh maaaaannnnn....

[Angie in Texas]

i just joined 'cause i have LOADS of crap/stuff that i could throw away, but that's just too much work for me . . .

[Colleen]

We've used freecycle to get rid of quite a few things. I think my favorite thing we've gotten rid of...a hideous (in my opinion) 8x10 teal floral rug (which my husband thought was lovely). It was in perfect condition... but UGLY (in my opinion). Some nice little lady drove right over and picked it up. My husband also put up a "random lot" of all that stuff that is in good shape but you just don't want, but it's too good to be garbage. A man and his 7 year old daughter came and took the whole load. I wasn't aware of the "wanted" feature. Maybe I've got more junk that people covet?

[canape]

In my previous neighborhood filled with only the classiest people, I had my own version of Freecycle.

Put it on the curb, call my daddy, and he and I would place bets on how long it would sit out there.

A set of chairs and a lamp lasted less than an hour. A freezer lasted an embarrassing 7 days.

We used to call them the trash gnomes.

[BOSSY]

"Wanted: I am looking for a mobile home that is free for moving thanks."

Hellsa, at least they're Polite.

[rain]

I just gave away a dishwasher on Freecycle. It worked. But we had upgraded to a newer model and the old one sat in my driveway making us THAT TRASHY FAMILY on the street. The night before we had a open house scheduled, we panicked about the dishwasher. To bring it to the dump would incur a fine. So I gave it away in desperation. As in GET THIS THING THE HELL OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY PRONTO. It worked, and it was gone by the time the open house started. So, the moral of the story is Im really freaking lazy and Freecyle enables that.

[Suebob]

Well, people got their dreamz... now if someone would just Freecycle those bricks of gold that they have hidden in their basement.

I have only used it a bit, for very specific items - like when I traded in the Subaru and forgot to include some accessories. I didn't want to sell them because they were only worth a couple bucks max.

[Kvetch]

You are moving again? C'mon I'm not into competition but I think you are going to have my 5 interstate moves in 9 years beat by a mile! GEEZ!