Making the Most of Freecycle Part 2

The following is the second in a two part series by my Freecycle Extraordinaire husband, Wes. You can read part one here.

Here is the big picture on Freecycle.org.  We all have the need to acquire or get rid of items.  The idea behind Freecycle is generosity and reusing things. I’ve seen everything from gently used clothes and lawnmowers to moving boxes and appliances. Rather than throwing them out, you Freecycle them!

Over the course of several months, here are some of the items that we have received through Freecyle:

• Nice clothes for the boys
• Mixer
• Armoire
• Lamps
• Garden tools
• TV
• Tickets to the zoo
• Futon
• Lawn Chairs

If you can e-mail and drive, I assure you that YOU CAN FREECYCLE!

Here are a few basic steps to get you started:

When you sign up, you can opt to get e-mails 2 different ways:

1. Individually—they come quicker this way and you stand a better chance of claiming things.
2. Daily—they will send you ONE email a day and you can look through the entire list.

Most of the quality items go quickly, so your chances of getting a great deal will increase if you sign up for the individual e-mails.  However, be prepared to receive an average of 20 or so e-mails per day (and more on the weekends when people are working around the house and doing cleanup projects!)

 

There are two basic categories: Offers and Wanted

Here is an example of what you are going to see in your inbox:

1. Offer:
Subject line: Offer: boys summer clothes 3T (Doylestown)
I have a garbage bag of gently used boys clothes (some still have tags) that need to go!

2. Wanted:
Subject line: Wanted: 16 inch boys bike with training wheels
My son has grown out of his 12 inch bike. Does anyone have a 16 inch they are done with?

Once you join Freecycle you will need to monitor your email to find out the following things:

Do you have anything that someone else needs?
If you do, then you can hit reply and send them a simple e-mail to set up a time for them to come to your house/meet you somewhere to make the exchange.

Have you received an e-mail from someone that has what you need?
If  someone responded to your “Want Ad”, you simply e-mail them back to set up a time to make your exchange.

My Top 5 Freecycle Tips

1. Set up a separate email address designated for your Freecycle hunting (gmail/hotmail/yahoo).  This will help keep your regular email address from being overloaded with Freecycle emails.
2. Go to www.Freecycle.org and sign up for your nearest Freecycle group.
3. Check your e-mail regularly and respond quickly and with clarity.
4. Know where you would have to go to pick something up – this might make your decision for you.
5. Give as well as receive. Look around your home for things that you don’t need and clear out your junk. It is likely someone else’s treasure.  (We were able to get rid of a huge entertainment center that we no longer needed this way!)

I also highly recommend putting a Freecycle Wanted Ad up the next time you consider making a big purchase.  You never know what items someone has hanging out in their garage just waiting for you to pick up!

Feel free to leave a comment with any questions.  Shoot–that’s why we’re here!