Freecycle, anyone?

[hyphenate]

I thought I would mention Freecycle.org here. It's a great way to get rid of stuff and acquire things you need at the same time.

I just got a washer and dryer through Freecycle. They're not new, but they work. And all it cost me was paying some friends to pick them up for me.

Through our local freecycle mailing list, there is a lot of baby stuff, I noticed. Sometimes pets are put up, but the group generally disapproves of that. For the most part, people will offer stuff that is too good to get rid of through the trash, but too much trouble to put out for a yard sale.

For those who want things, there are some etiquette rules--don't ask for too much, and not unless you have "balanced" your request with some offers as well.

There are groups scattered all over the country, and all over the world. The main website is at http://www.freecycle.org and will direct you to local groups in your own area.

Just a few things which have gone through ours lately (other than baby stuff: someone asked for a VCR; someone offered lots of cardboard moving boxes; someone offered a Porsche (not working!); someone requesting small kitchen table; offering of a MAC computer (older model); lots of books; exercise equipment.

I don't know how many are interested, but it's a good way to put a little goodwill into the community in which you are in, and if you have the ability to offer some items as well it will always help someone. I have started to take inventory in my own apartment to see what I don't need, want or have no longer any use for to see what people might be able to use. One guy on the list is a computer techie who takes as many computer parts that are offered, and puts together full computers for freecycle members! No part is too small or too old in order for him to find a use for.

If anyone is interested, or has already been part of Freecycle for awhile, pipe in! I'd love to hear of experiences from others.

[LeftyMom]

1. I gave away lots on our local list

some landscape stuff, baby things, a car (not working) but the list volume was very difficult to keep up with. Lately I've used the free page on craigslist instead.

[hyphenate]

2. We don't seem to have a local

for craigslist--the closest is Framingham or Boston. Too bad--that would be good, too. At least the volume on freecycle isn't too, too bad here. It appears we have just over 1000 members on our local list. I just told my sister in law about it, but her Vegas one has over 5700 members! She can join the Henderson, NV one, which has less volume, though, so at least she won't be overwhelmed.

[mwooldri]

3. Freecycle's great.

I'd much prefer my wife be on Freecycle than E-Bay.

We got a lot of things off of Freecycle: a piece of furniture to put our TV on, a sleeper-sofa, a washing machine (2), a dryer, books to help with my wife's studies (she's doing elementary education degree right now though she's thinking of switching to do adult education instead), fish, hamsters, all kinds of books, and toys. In turn we've given away lots of baby stuff (stuff my son's outgrown), toys, a sofa, hamsters (they started breeding), and more books.