I'm part of the stupiest freecycle group Part II

[alli713]

Is it the same at all Goodwills? Because I know around here, they're actually on tv and things asking for more donations because they don't get enough, or need more, with the economy the way it is, Goodwill and other thrift stores are doing really well around here.

I volunteer at a local thrift store where the money goes to support the highschool I went to. So I'm sure there are plenty of other smaller thrift stores where the money goes back into something you care about. You can always check around to see where you would want to donate something to.

 

[Ash]

I don't know, Alli. I know Goodwill has trucks that take accepted donations this way and that way, but I don't know how far the trucks travel. Maybe if they'd stop throwing the stuff out.... *rolls eyes*

 

[Nancy]

I know the thrift stores here are not allowed to sell car seats, cribs, high chairs and other larger baby items for safety reasons and they do throw out some pretty good baby stuff. I've never heard that they throw out other things unless it is obvious junk or parts missing.

The Sally Ann drivers here are stupid about what they won't take yet in the store they have things that are nothing more than junk.

 

[Riven]

One of our local goodwills has some of the most ghetto stuff. So I'm guessing it's not everywhere!

 

[SunshineChins]

I actually know someone who works at a Hospice thrift store. She is the manager and all the store employees pick through whatever the good stuff is first. She is always bringing home things for various people and saves back what friends want. I think she pays for it but its not what they charge someone who walks in. She has come home with brand new items ..its insane what some people donate.

I used to try to supplement my eBay/craigslist income(I make $$ by selling) by going to thrift stores but it was always a bust. I now have no faith in any sort of thrift store and do not shop and any nor give anything to them. Garage sales is where I go and find what I need and sell. Thankfully they have them year round down here.

 

[alli713]

I guess it depends on the thrift store. Yeah, at the one I volunteer at we obviously get to see what goes out so if we want something we can buy it before it hits the floor. But for us, it's not any cheaper. And besides, I'm volunteering my time so it's not like I'm getting paid to be there.

I do love garage sales though too!

 

[pricklesnquills]

hmmm, good to know! I'll bring stuff to my local help center from now on!

 

[Riven]

I know our local safe center ( for abused women ) is always looking for every day things like shampoo, clothes, beds, dressers, anything to help out people getting back on their feet after an abusive relationship. And they really appreciate it!

 

[TillyChinchilla]

My ex's brother scammed the heck out of people on Freecycle. He was 23, a felon, jobless, and sleeping on his mother's futon talking to 13 year olds online all day, while posting on Freecycle that he needed a car to bring his non-existent daughter to her doctor's appointments. I tried to alert the mods about this (and his fake offer/taken postings so it looked like he was giving) and they said they couldn't do anything about it, no proof. :hair:

I've done more buying than selling on CL and ebay. My fiance's laptop's hard drive crashed, and we really didn't need it - so I put it on ebay for parts/repair. First time it sold it was a Nigerian scammer - took 14 days to clear that up. Put it back on and a guy bought it and never paid - never even contacted me. Another 14 days! I put it on CL and a guy from a local computer shop bought it much cheaper, but I finally had it sold.

As far as how things are priced, quite the opposite on my local CL. People want $3 for an old yellowed laundry basket or years old easter basket, $100 for a chair that sold for $120 10 years ago, $200 for a ratty old recliner that won't un-recline... ugh!

 

[minrex]

I get those too! Or they contact you for something you not only listed as gone, but was up over a month ago.

We should compile all of our stupid replies and responses and put together a book! Chronicles of Free Stuff Givers, and their Mentally Impaired Adversaries.

I recently got a reply to a Freecycle posting that I had put up over SIX MONTHS ago! Do people know how to read a calendar??