Jeremy Posted April 12, 2010 Share Posted April 12, 2010 I'm sure many of you have noticed that a handful of people can be quick to pounce when things are being offered for free. Is it a problem when people appear to be snapping these things up, presumably to sell on somewhere else? Or is it fair enough if you didn't want it anyway? Free market, etc... Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/10837-free-stuff-in-the-offered-section/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ladymuck Posted April 12, 2010 Share Posted April 12, 2010 Well, our household have offered stuff for free on the odd occasion purely because it was something (a) we no longer needed (b) that wasn't suitable for the charity shop and © which, had we not given it away, would probably have ended up in landfill. The people who collected the stuff were usually pretty grateful too. Result - win win. So, to answer your question, I don't see the issue as a big deal.PS: why is this not in the Lounge? Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/10837-free-stuff-in-the-offered-section/#findComment-314309 Share on other sites More sharing options...
annaj Posted April 12, 2010 Share Posted April 12, 2010 Jeremy, I see what you're getting at, it does feel vaguely wrong that people might be making money out of other peoples' good will.But on the other hand I'm inclined to agree with LM. I give stuff away for free because it would go in the bin otherwise, which is a waste. It's free either because I don't think it's good enough to sell or because it's worth so little it's not worth it. If someone else sees potential in whatever it is that I don't, and has the time and inclination to sell stuff, I don't think I mind. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/10837-free-stuff-in-the-offered-section/#findComment-314326 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ladymuck Posted April 12, 2010 Share Posted April 12, 2010 Re. my previous post, I forgot to mention that - on occasion - the collector of "free" stuff has given us a bottle of wine when we hadn't asked for it! I remember one gentleman in particular - referred to it as East Dulwich Currency! So, definitely WIN WIN on that occasion at least. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/10837-free-stuff-in-the-offered-section/#findComment-314336 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruffers Posted April 12, 2010 Share Posted April 12, 2010 If you don't want money for something you're giving away but are uncomfortable with the idea of other people making money out of it then take it the charity shop. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/10837-free-stuff-in-the-offered-section/#findComment-314357 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy Posted April 13, 2010 Author Share Posted April 13, 2010 I guess it's no big deal if you don't want the stuff any more. It just seems to be against the spirit of the forum (whatever that may be). I guess the message to take away, is that if more than one person is interested in something you're giving away, check out their previous posts. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/10837-free-stuff-in-the-offered-section/#findComment-314466 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted April 13, 2010 Share Posted April 13, 2010 I agree with you Jeremy, it bugs me when people are offering things for free (especially when it's "free to a good home") and the same people snap them up, do they really need another fridge?. There's a couple, Louise and Gary, who seem to always abuse people's goodwill on the forum and they've been banned about 6 times, last time was someone complaining that their sideboard given away "to a good home" was being sold on the forum 3 weeks later.I don't like people who pretend to want something so they can make a few quid, and in doing so take away from those who genuinely need or want something, it's not fair. You're right, it takes away from the Spirit of the Forum ® , if you have your suspicions or know it's being done please report it to Admin and s/he will deal with it.[edited once] for spelling Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/10837-free-stuff-in-the-offered-section/#findComment-314489 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted April 13, 2010 Share Posted April 13, 2010 I've just had a look, check out gemma ballard, how many free TV's does one person want? Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/10837-free-stuff-in-the-offered-section/#findComment-314490 Share on other sites More sharing options...
annaj Posted April 13, 2010 Share Posted April 13, 2010 When you put it like that, Mark, I do see what you mean.I've only had good experiences, where people have been grateful and PM'd nice thank you messages (and also I've only given away small things like unwanted gifts and make up samples that I'd feel really guilty selling) but I do see how you'd feel if you thought you'd given something away to be used by somene who needed it, and perhaps couldn't afford it, only to see it sold again. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/10837-free-stuff-in-the-offered-section/#findComment-314491 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted April 13, 2010 Share Posted April 13, 2010 Fortunately it's only a couple of people who take the mickey and so generally it works really well, and I agree about the 'East Dulwich Currency' LM, someone offered me a computer monitor for free recently and I thought it only natural to give them a nice bottle of wine as a thank you. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/10837-free-stuff-in-the-offered-section/#findComment-314494 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keef Posted April 13, 2010 Share Posted April 13, 2010 Mark, until reading your post, I sort of thought, well if I can't be bothered to sell something on ebay, and someone else wants to make a few quid from it, then good for them (assuming it was a one off thing). HOWEVER, I had no idea there were people who were repeat offenders, and that is well out of order! And selling it on the same forum they got it from is just plain wrong! Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/10837-free-stuff-in-the-offered-section/#findComment-314548 Share on other sites More sharing options...
HAL9000 Posted April 13, 2010 Share Posted April 13, 2010 I say live and let live. If a few people are actively recycling stuff that would otherwise end up in a landfill and making a few quid in the process - good luck to them. I doubt if anyone who didn't need the extra income would bother. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/10837-free-stuff-in-the-offered-section/#findComment-314649 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ladymuck Posted April 13, 2010 Share Posted April 13, 2010 Seconded HAL9000.Oh Mark, I've just realised...I misquoted. The gentleman in question actually used the term East Dulwich Forum Currency (as opposed to simply ED currency). So there you go...you have somehow managed to create your own currency!!I think it's fantastic how the Forum's For Sale section meaningfully places the local in "local economy". And if, by offering stuff for free too, we are saving our Council from having to dispose of items which would otherwise have been destined for the tip - then that's fine by me. We all gain in the end. There will always be a minority of abusers, but it would be sad to allow their behaviour to deter the majority from acting in good faith. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/10837-free-stuff-in-the-offered-section/#findComment-314690 Share on other sites More sharing options...
sophiesofa Posted April 15, 2010 Share Posted April 15, 2010 It bothers me most when the item is snipped up quickly before someone who might want it for themselves gets a chance.I always find it odd when people advertise stuff then it turns out to be an ebay auction. I know it's better to sell stuff locally but it also doesn't seem to be in the spirit of the forum. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/10837-free-stuff-in-the-offered-section/#findComment-315213 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Narnia Posted April 21, 2010 Share Posted April 21, 2010 .......and there was I thinking this could be a good career move. All I was waiting for was a free horse and cart. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/10837-free-stuff-in-the-offered-section/#findComment-317314 Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeckhamRose Posted April 22, 2010 Share Posted April 22, 2010 I have benefitted from several free things over the years and also very cheap stuff from this forum.I am always mighty grateful but aware I have had to be quick!However, I usually also bring EDF currency (wine) and sometimes a loaf of bread from the breadmaker I got for ?20 which I could have ebayed for loads! We are not all bad. Some of us genuinely can't afford much. I am mighty grateful for all I have had off this site.Don't tar everyone with the same brush (I know you weren't, but ---!) Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/10837-free-stuff-in-the-offered-section/#findComment-317687 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Narnia Posted April 22, 2010 Share Posted April 22, 2010 PR, I think it's great that people offer things free/cheaply or not as the case may be. I don't thing there is anything wrong with getting bargains if it's something you need either. But like some posters I don't particularly like it that some people ask for 'everything' that's going free so they can resell the items. I nearly bought a TV for my boys room a while ago and since have realised the vendor is making a business out of getting the TV's and reselling them. I don't like that as it makes this place feel less like a community thing and more like ebay.I've used the EDF currency too to get something free. Perhaps we should think of a good name for it. Any ideas what a bottle of red would be or a loaf of home made bread? Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/10837-free-stuff-in-the-offered-section/#findComment-317696 Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeckhamRose Posted April 23, 2010 Share Posted April 23, 2010 I can not think of anything that can be done about this problem; more legislation is not an answer.Otherwise have everyone who offers something for free/very cheap make a note of those who took it, then give that info to the EDF Boss, and let him make a note. When someone has had ten items for free/cheap then they are banned from getting anything else.See? Ridiculous. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/10837-free-stuff-in-the-offered-section/#findComment-317884 Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanMacGabhann Posted April 23, 2010 Share Posted April 23, 2010 Whenever I offer anything cheap or free, I usually have multiple offers. I generally weigh up a couple of factorsWere they first?What kind of poster are they? (Not "do I agree with them" - but do they do more than just barter?)Has anyone had any negative experience with them? Am I aware of a specific need - I may not know the poster but I may have read of recent unemploymentetcI don't just go with a first come first served tho Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/10837-free-stuff-in-the-offered-section/#findComment-317928 Share on other sites More sharing options...
jollybaby Posted April 23, 2010 Share Posted April 23, 2010 I've always been a first come first served girl - but have regretted it on a couple of occasions when people have barely said thank you. saying that I think my telly may have gone into the hands of the aforementioned banned couple - they were very polite and sent me a lovely pm! Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/10837-free-stuff-in-the-offered-section/#findComment-317959 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keef Posted April 26, 2010 Share Posted April 26, 2010 I got a telly via the forum (thanks Pickle), but felt I should take a bottle of wine as a thank you. Seems weird just taking a telly from someone I don't know, without offering something back. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/10837-free-stuff-in-the-offered-section/#findComment-318504 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pickle Posted April 26, 2010 Share Posted April 26, 2010 I think that may have been my first ever post on the forum Keef :)I frequently give away things for free, and my view is that if I'm giving it away I shouldn't care what then happens to it (perhaps there is money to be made, but generally it's things I don't think are worth the effort of trying to sell due to the small return). However it does annoy me a bit when I see things being constantly snapped up by the same person. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/10837-free-stuff-in-the-offered-section/#findComment-318547 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Narnia Posted April 26, 2010 Share Posted April 26, 2010 Me too Pickle I nearly bought a telly off someone who collects them here! Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/10837-free-stuff-in-the-offered-section/#findComment-318697 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeremy Posted April 27, 2010 Author Share Posted April 27, 2010 Never pay money for an old CRT TV, as you'll be able to get one free through here or Freecycle soon enough!And if you have something to give away, if there are multiple applicants then check their previous posts... as SMG says... Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/10837-free-stuff-in-the-offered-section/#findComment-318848 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ladymuck Posted April 27, 2010 Share Posted April 27, 2010 Jeremy Wrote: > And if you have something to give away, if there> are multiple applicants then check their previous> posts... as SMG says...Ah, but what about those posters who only deal via PM? And, I'm sure, after having viewed this thread, many will in future. Link to comment https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/10837-free-stuff-in-the-offered-section/#findComment-318871 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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