I love free things, bargains too.
By youdontsay
@youdontsay (3497)
United States
March 27, 2007 11:37am CST
Have you ever used Freecycle? It is a Yahoo group and they are all over the country. People who have things they want to get rid of post them on the newsgroup and people who want the items email the person getting rid of it. If it is a good match, the item is picked up by the person who wants it. All for free.
And people who want an item post their want on the newsgroup and people who have that item and want to get rid if it email them to arrange pick-up of the item.
I've gotten rid of all kinds of things I didn't want any more. It is amazing what some people want. I've given away egg cartons, cd's that come in the mail [like aol trial disks], plastic grocery bags, aluminum cans, empty inkjet cartridges, even two non-working dehumidifiers!
It is great when you are cleaning out the basement or the garage. Last week I gave away thirty-some 3.5 inch floppy disks. None of our machines use them anymore.
Sometimes there are things wanted by teachers or crafters that would otherwise just be thrown away. I hate to throw anything away if someone can use it. But I also hate to have stuff accumulate forever in my house. So Freecycle is a perfect match for me.
I've gotten free stuff myself. I got four perfectly good maple diningroom chairs, children's books, a punch bowl set, even a roll-top desk. Free. I did have to pay someone to pick up the desk because it was too big for my car. But it was still quite a bargain.
I had to cut down a small tree that was getting too big for between our houses. It was quite a challenge, since I'm getting older and less nimble. Once I dragged it from between the houses I faced the task of cutting off the limbs and cutting everything into four-foot or less lengths for the city to hawl away. It occurred to me that someone might want it for firewood. Before the day was over there was a lady in my yard cutting up the tree to haul away. She even picked up all the little sticks, put them in a bag, and carried them to the curb for me!
One day a college student came to pick up a beat-up charcoal grill. She said she'd got an upright piano that week on Freecycle!
So check out Freecycle in Yahoo Groups to see if there is one near you. You'll love it.
2 people like this
5 responses
@Alexandria37 (5717)
• Ireland
28 Mar 07
I have my own recycling website. I noticed that quite a lot of people didn't want to part with their goods for free on the recycling sites , so I set up the site so that people will have a choice. They can sell, swap, give for free or ask for items. Members can also chat about the environment or they can use another section where they can chat or rant, whatever suits them. It has only been running since last November but it is gaining new members every day.
1 person likes this
@youdontsay (3497)
• United States
28 Mar 07
Yes, Yahoo has CheapCycle, too, where people sell things at yardsale prices. A lot less work than an actual yard sale!
I'm a big believer in recycling anything possible. My parents taught us to "Waste not, want not."
Kind of counter-culture for many of the "throw away cluture."
@apakabar2007 (1693)
• Netherlands
27 Mar 07
For me personally, kinda difficult to throw away things that might be useable for other people in a dumpster, but I can't keep all of them otherwise there will be no space for my family to sleep....hehehe.
I always try to offer some people even the recycle shops and I'll delivery them myself for free. But, you won't believe how picky people can be..... I think I'll try the freecycle yahoo this time. Maybe I'll find someone that will appreciate things that I don't use anymore.
Thank's for the tip !!!
1 person likes this
@CaroleeKaufold (1853)
• United States
27 Mar 07
I do use it. But my daughter in law is the queen when it comes to freecycle. She has gotten some really good "stuff"
1 person likes this
@gsgonzalez2007 (1004)
• Philippines
27 Mar 07
Hey you gave me a great idea. I will visit the site. Thanks for the information.
1 person likes this






