Kate

I'm slightly worried that all my #FreegleWoes posting will be putting people off using Freegle. For the record, I really do think it's a wonderful tool for passing on stuff that still has a useful life but that a charity shop wouldn't take.

It's just...with Freegle, as with literally anything where you have to organise stuff with random members of the public, you encounter a lot of flaky people, entitled people, bad communicators and downright whelks.

I still think the platform is a treasure, I think the volunteers are under-appreciated, and every now and then I donate a few quid to help cover their costs. Because they are doing the Lord's work.

Nov 23, 2022 at 9:41amWeb
Show threadCabNov 23, 2022
@griffinkate There's a local 'bits, bobs, buy and sell' WhatsApp that serves much of the same role as freegle here, and a healthy tradition of folk leaving things outside for others to take (or "fly tipping" as you may also call it). And yeah, it can go a bit haywire, but it's better than chucking stuff out.
Show threadKateNov 23, 2022
@cabd The leaving stuff outside thing annoys me a bit...it often blocks the pavement that's already blocked by parked cars, stuff gets rained on and ruined...it's just SO LAZY!
Show threadCabNov 23, 2022
@griffinkate Pavements here are knackered by cars being all over them, but the grass by peoples houses tends to be good for this and it's not really a problem. It can be a mess, but it's not in the way.
Show threadKateNov 23, 2022
@cabd Yeah, it varies depending on the space. People in the streets around my mum and dad's started doing it during lockdown when the charity shops were closed and then never stopped. It does annoy me to see people put out a stack of books, let it get drenched overnight and then continue to leave it out but hey, now it's for the binmen. Stop being so sodding lazy! There are two charity shops less than a mile away!
Show threadCabNov 23, 2022
@griffinkate people who leave books out in the rain should be drenched in muddy puddles repeatedly until they learn the error of their ways. But on the other hand, I've got some good stuff out of people doing that. Favourite might by my 1937 box brownie camera.
Show threadKateNov 23, 2022
@cabd Wow, that's quite a find! I mean, I'm sure this method does often help stuff to find people, it just feels like people doing it don't give a shit if it gets taken by a real person or by the binmen a week later, as long as it stops being their problem.
Show threadartsyhonkerNov 23, 2022

@griffinkate @cabd Here we call this kerbcycle, and I am pretty careful to check the weather before leaving things out. We do get a fair amount of passing foot traffic though, I don't think it works as well even in some places a block or two away.

The worst is people who leave entire carloads of stuff in the churchyard so we can "give it to people who need it". A lot of the time it's already broken or ruined. And then we get charged by the council for rubbish collection.

Show threadShaniNov 23, 2022
@griffinkate I've had really good luck with Olio compared to Freegle. Fewer responses for boring/random items, but when I get them they are communicative and show up exactly when they say they will
Show threadKateNov 23, 2022

@andustar That's good to know. I think others have suggested it (e.g. @j4). I've only put off trying it because I think you need to install an actual app and can't do stuff via the browser.

I actually get a better response on Gumtree, but I think that's because of the behavioural economics power of "selling" something for 50p (a transaction I must take seriously!) over giving it away (it's free so it's valueless). But I prefer Freegle because I suppose I see it as a plucky yet faily underdog whose whole *purpose* is to keep stuff out of landfill.

Show threadShaniNov 23, 2022

@griffinkate @j4 yeah it's primarily an app, although there are desktop workarounds https://help.olioex.com/article/12-how-can-i-access-olio . Uptake is wildly variable by location so I can't promise it's well-used where you are, but I've found it to have the good Freegley vibes with a fraction of the hassle.

Before that took off I also had the same luck on gumtree with £1 sales. Somehow asking for a nominal amount turns an old kettle or storage bag from junk to an amazing bargain!

How can I access OLIO? - .

OLIO is available for adults over 18 years of age. System Requirements: iOS: 8.0, iPhone, iPad, iPad mini Android: 7 and above Web version for use on desktop: O

Show threadArchieNov 25, 2022
@griffinkate I’ve just had my first ever ‘arrange a collection and someone turns up’ - I was delighted when I realised it had gone off the drive in the half hour since I’d last looked and thought ‘I must tell Kate!’
Show threadKateNov 25, 2022
@ArchieTheWonderDog Ooohhh! Wonders will never cease!
Show threadArchieNov 26, 2022
@griffinkate It wasn’t freegle, though, I’ve yet to try that.
Show threadKateNov 27, 2022
@ArchieTheWonderDog You've gotta try Freegle so you know what I'm moaning about!
Show threadArchieNov 27, 2022
@griffinkate I will. In the meantime, and not to rub salt in the wound, I’ve had another two successful collections today. (Or one, as it was the same person collecting two different lots, nine items in total.) Will definitely try Freegle, for the moans if nothing else!
Show threadKateNov 28, 2022
@ArchieTheWonderDog I'm genuinely happy for you! Really!
Show threadArchieNov 28, 2022
@griffinkate Not as happy as I am when I look at the space where the things were! I only listed them for two days, I think that might be helping people get themselves sorted and actually turn up.