|
Post by puppybox on Jun 20, 2008 13:38:24 GMT -5
Many people here would like to get rid of things but don't want to throw them out. They want to find someone who can use/appreciate their extra stuff.
Many people here need things but are unable to purchase them.
Can we hook these people up? It might prove tricky as many need to remain anonymous. And in general it is a good idea not to bother reclycling, donating, repairing, or having garage sales etc if one is in high level squalor.
In the past I have been much better off and once mailed something to someone at Squalor survivors that individual clearly would benefit from and was just lying around my place. It was my privilege to help
Now, I have moved and am rather poor (relatively) and could really use a lot of things other people might well have extras of cluttering up their homes.
Maybe we could have a thread or something for people to post what they would be willing to mail/ what they are in need of. Obviously these would have to be light weight things. And I do mean things not money, just to be clear.
I feel very nervous about posting this. I don't mind if people think this is a totally unworkable idea but fear everyone will judge me in all sorts of negative ways
|
|
|
Post by ramatama on Jun 20, 2008 13:55:37 GMT -5
I think the idea is good. However as you pointed out, there is the matter of maintaining anonymity. Then there is the matter of mailing costs. But that is secondary. As you can tell, i am in Europe and for that reason alone, me mailing to anywhere outside of my country becomes prohibitive. But, you may have takers/ offerers. I really wish this will work out. There is always the possibility of using private messages for those who do not wish t go public with what they need or have to offer.
|
|
|
Post by eaglesflight on Jun 20, 2008 14:19:36 GMT -5
This idea has come up in the past and I believe there were various reasons it was never pursued.
To begin with, a lot of members are easily overwhelmed by the idea that they "must" do something with an object and this would create another obstacle. Some people, when starting out, can barely cope with sorting through things and deciding which ones are in donate-able condition and which things are just junk. Add in a step to list the item online and you see how that would be a barrier.
There is also the anonymity and cost issues that have already been raised. It really does not make much sense to send an item over a distance that may not have much resale value or which will be costly to mail (small appliances, electronics, dishes, other items that need special padding or insurance). Also, this causes fuel to be burned to transport something which may be more economically be obtained in an area second-hand shop.
It also would cause members temptation to hoard items or request items be sent to them that they don't even need.
As you can see the reasons this has not yet been implemented are varied and reasonable.
|
|
|
Post by carolinastomper on Jun 20, 2008 14:44:57 GMT -5
While this may not be a feasible idea for the reasons raised, in my community we have a board/group called freecycle which allows people to post items needed or wanting to give away to match givers and receivers. Maybe there is something similar in your area?
I use this group a lot. Amnesty aside, I cannot bring myself to throw away perfectly usable items. One freecycle user actually had a "yard free" instead of a yard sale.
Meanwhile I have a lot of things still to get rid of, so if you are lokking for any particular type of items, you can message me. Would be glad to help if I can.
|
|
|
Post by margarita on Jun 20, 2008 15:24:02 GMT -5
We had some difficulty just "giving away" to a thrift shop some quilts and wall hangings my Mom made many years ago.
They had been sitting in a box in my garage for quite some time.
So, we decided to send them to a friend in Maryland who loves country decorating.
Sending three boxes across the country cost over $90.00.
And I checked four methods of shipping to find the best price. We checked US Mail, UPS, Fed Ex, and DHL.
We sent them, as they were already packed and ready to go, plus we had spent a lot of time on this project - but, will never do that again.
That $90.00 would have been better spent on medical bills, food, etc.
Margarita
|
|
|
Post by syzygy on Jun 20, 2008 15:59:11 GMT -5
It's a good idea, but as others have said, it's just not practical. And with the cost of gas rising, it's only going to get more expensive.
I encourage you (and everyone else) to use Freecycle- there are local ones on Yahoo Groups. When I get a box of stuff together, I post a list and give away items to people who need it. In the past, I've also donated items, particularly clothing, to charities. I've also Ebayed a lot of stuff.
For me, it depends on what else is going on in my life. Do I have the time and space to Ebay stuff? Can I get a charity to come pick up a whole lot of stuff at once? Do I have items that charities don't want, but that individuals would?
Again, it's a great idea. I wish there was a practical way to do it.
|
|
|
Post by metamorpha on Jun 20, 2008 16:14:47 GMT -5
Freecycle and Craigslist are a great place to get rid of items, and to pick up items if you're in need. If you really want to send something to someone on the list though, UShip.com might offer a cost effective alternative. People who are already taking shipments along the route sometimes will take things for you for less.
|
|
|
Post by Rennie Ellen on Jun 20, 2008 22:45:10 GMT -5
Carolinastomper,While this may not be a feasible idea for the reasons raised, in my community we have a board/group called freecycle which allows people to post items needed or wanting to give away to match givers and receivers. Maybe there is something similar in your area? I use this group a lot. Amnesty aside, I cannot bring myself to throw away perfectly usable items. One freecycle user actually had a "yard free" instead of a yard sale. Meanwhile I have a lot of things still to get rid of, so if you are lokking for any particular type of items, you can message me. Would be glad to help if I can. I'm like you, I can't throw out perfectly good and usable items. So I donate to the charity thrift shop or put it up on Freecycle. My neighbor in the duplex next to me had a "Free Yard Sale" two weeks ago and I got a nice little patio table to go with my two patio chairs! All her stuff was gone in an hour.
Plus, I feel it helps the environment to do this....it keeps things out of the landfill!
P.S. Right now I'm in need of relaxation CDs. Nothing really weird or New Agey, but something that I can use to help recover from this colitis flareup....also to help me sleep. I'll pay for postage. Please PM me if anyone can help. Thanks!
|
|
|
Post by canna on Jun 21, 2008 6:32:09 GMT -5
Freecycle is a great way to get rid of things. It is free to join; most towns here each have their own Freecycle group! I've joined two of the local groups. I posed two items, and both were picked up within 2 days. I was surprised; they were old items and I didn't think anyone would want them, but they were taken. It's very interesting to see the variety of things offered on Freecycle. You can also post for "wanted" items you may need. Consider freecycle.
Ha- it's free....and local And less hassle than sending stuff through the mail.
|
|
|
Post by mouse on Jun 21, 2008 8:47:51 GMT -5
I'd like to echo everyone else's praise of Freecycle.
Puppybox, I seem to recall that you also live in Montreal, right? We have a very active Freecycle community here. Some of them are a bit flaky, but overall I've had a great experience with them
I think that your idea is a really generous, open-spirited one. As others have pointed out, though, I don't think it's reasonable to do on a large scale in a community this size and this scattered across the globe. It would likely end up creating more problems than it would solve, if only because people are human, and feelings (which tend to run high in here due to the very nature of our problems) would get easily ruffled.
There are plenty of people in our city who can benefit from Freecycle and the Salvation Army (which has some great stuff!) and a number of other places that help out those in need.
~Mouse
|
|
|
Post by crazycatlady on Jun 21, 2008 13:58:25 GMT -5
I like the spirit of this idea of sharing our unneeded stuff with people we care about. I do have several people who I can give things to, like a lady who runs a home day care who is happy for any outgrown toys or gently used colorbooks.
But I also give lots to the Salvation Army. And where I live, I can set stuff out by the road with a "Free" sign, and scavengers will pick it up. I don't get to meet them, but I know that the stuff is going onto another home where it will hopefully find a use. Or some poor person picked it up, put a little elbow grease into it, and sold it! ! Either way it is out of my hair.
I suppose I'm a little too disorganized for Freecycle and Craigslist. Whatever works to help you lighten the amount of stuff that you are storing is a GREAT idea!
|
|
|
Post by reesa on Jun 22, 2008 2:45:40 GMT -5
we have the scavengers here too. lots of college kids in the area helps, they walk by and take almost anything.
|
|
rhall
New Member
Joined: June 2008
Posts: 18
|
Post by rhall on Jun 22, 2008 11:46:19 GMT -5
Look in your local area for a Freecycle operation. People offer stuff they don't want and others pick them up. It isn't perfect, nobody's inspecting anybody for anything so be discrete if you can. You don't really want total strangers all knowing you live alone out in the woods with a jewelry collection, half an hour from the nearest police officer. But for most people, it can work pretty well.
|
|
|
Post by peppermint66 on Jun 23, 2008 14:49:18 GMT -5
you may also want to look for a group in your area called ReUseIt. same principal as freecycle, just a different name!
|
|
overcome
New Member
Joined: June 2008
Posts: 21
|
Post by overcome on Jun 24, 2008 5:49:05 GMT -5
puppybox
I highly recomend freecycle!
|
|