Mercedes55 Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 We bought a really nice car seat for when we take our granddaughter out in the car, but had never really used it much and it was in really excellent condition when we decided to give it to our local charity shop. Unfortunately they don't take car seats, guess it must be Health and Safety, so I put it on Freecycle, thinking I could do a good deed for someone with a small baby who couldn't afford to buy a good seat. A young woman came round to pick it up and said how useful it would be for her and I was happy that I had helped someone. Imagine my dismay this evening when I logged onto our local newspaper's website and saw it up for sale for £40, with all this waffle about how much it had originally cost and how little the woman had used it etc. It never ceases to amaze me how people take advantage. I guess I must just be very gullible, my son told me it happens all the time and perhaps it does. Won't give anything away on there again though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 It is annoying but lots of people on Freecycle use it as a business. You just have to see how many post repeatedly, it's obvious they must be reselling. I think it's dishonest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 I would be beside myself How unbelieveable You should go around and pose as a buyer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grracee Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Oh no, that's awful. I've never thought of people doing that with things off Freecycle! I've only ever gone for stuff if I think I need it. Surprising what some people will do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 That's awful, but I am sure your son is absolutely right, I bet people do it all the time (slightly off topic, but has anyone else noticed how many eglu sun shades and run pegs have turned up on ebay since they were "on offer" over/just after Xmas via omlet? Same sort of thing, I guess). It puts you off trying to do a good deed, doesn't it? I'd be very upset and like CM says, very tempted to give her a call ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted February 4, 2011 Author Share Posted February 4, 2011 I did send her a text message saying SHAME ON YOU and posted about it on the Freecyle site too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 I would be totally fuming! I gave up on our freecycle ages ago because of the emails & the utter cheek of people. I much prefer to offer things on here or try & sell myself. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 That's awful, but I am sure your son is absolutely right, I bet people do it all the time (slightly off topic, but has anyone else noticed how many eglu sun shades and run pegs have turned up on ebay since they were "on offer" over/just after Xmas via omlet? Same sort of thing, I guess). I did also notice that, but if they can pass it on for cheaper than the original price then it benefits everyone (apart from omlet of course) but do agree with you. I've just been browsing through free cycle and now whenever I see TVs etc for sale, I just think people will have them to sell them on Emma - I used my old email address for freecycle - it's ridiculous the amount of emails they send you!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckmum6 Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 I did send her a text message saying SHAME ON YOU and posted about it on the Freecyle site too Good on you, sooooo annoying, did you get any response back? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Firstly are you 100% sure it is your car seat? It would be difficult to be certain... If you are sure report it to the mods,as they may be able to.act. But it is a known fact with Freecycle that things may get sold on. It'd hard to prove,and hard to police I am afraid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyhole kate Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 I would be fuming too I would arrange to view and if it is the same person and seat I would ask for it back I doubt very much if the would expect you to do this and would simply hand it over. I would happily shame them I have given up posting Items on freecycle for the same reason to many people using it to make money at the expense of those genuinely in need Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted February 4, 2011 Author Share Posted February 4, 2011 Firstly are you 100% sure it is your car seat?It would be difficult to be certain... If you are sure report it to the mods,as they may be able to.act. But it is a known fact with Freecycle that things may get sold on. It'd hard to prove,and hard to police I am afraid. I am 100% sure as her phone number is on the advert and I have checked my phone log on my mobile and the number is the same, as is the name of the person in the advert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Good, then go to the Freecycle mods & let them know what is going on. Do be prepared though ,as this happened to a friend of mine & they were told that it didn't matter as she was giving it away,so if the other person wanted to take the time & effort to make money on it,it was up to them But they are often on the case...I know someone else who had a warning as they always posted 'wanteds',but never posted an 'offered'. I guess it depends on how far your mods want to take it & if they can be really bothered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chick wiggle Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Unbelievable! I feel very stupid and naive now as i never thought of people doing this either. i would be fuming too, especailly as you were trying to do a good deed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sari Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Most of the stuff I freecycle has little market value, but I hate the people who state they can be flexible with pickup times, then are exactly the opposite. I had one saying they would only come at 10/30 on any weekday..impossible for me, as I'm working, then complain to the Mods .....and one who moaned in her thankyou that I didn't invite her in for a coffee....I have been surprised at the cheek of some poeple...." We went on holiday to Spain and my son left his DS in the Pub, and it was stolen...he really misses it. Can anyone help??" REALLY?? I was overwhelmed by the generosity of the Melton FReecyclers, when I was after jam jars for my Brownies, I often came home from work to find little carrier bags of jars on my doorstep Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffyfeet Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 Definitely report this to the Freecycle mod's. They are very much against people doing this because it goes completely against the point of Freecycle and I know our local branch asks to be notified if this goes on. Dawn x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keyhole kate Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 I posted a K/S Bed on freecycle from my rental property when the guy turned up to get the item he cheekily wandered round asking if I was posting this and that and could he have them as well. Guessing it was a rental property he even had the cheek to ask how much the rent was he got short shrift and left with nothing I don't take hostages where rudeness is concerned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 OP, if she's had a lot of stuff off freecycle then report her to HMRC, if she's running a business she should pay tax like the rest of us! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 I did send her a text message saying SHAME ON YOU and posted about it on the Freecyle site too Good for you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadietoo Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 grrrrrr.... that about sums up my reaction.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 4, 2011 Share Posted February 4, 2011 I think that's a terrible thing to do and amounts to stealing . Goes against the whole ethos of Freecycle . She's basically lying in her "advert" too by saying the item was hers . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckmum6 Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 I was overwhelmed by the generosity of the Melton FReecyclers, when I was after jam jars for my Brownies, I often came home from work to find little carrier bags of jars on my doorstep Is that Melton Mowbray freecycle? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 I'd be furious too - it's not just that she's profiting from it, it's her dishonesty both in her conversation with you, and in the ad. It's totally against the ethos of Freecycle as others have said. I'm always very suspicious of people who say 'I'll take everything' when I'm offering several items - they don't get chosen, nor do people who write 'yes I'll take it' without a 'please'. Good on you for naming and shaming, sadly this is just one of the hazards of Freecycle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted February 5, 2011 Share Posted February 5, 2011 There is one woman on my Freecycle who always wants anything you have listed - I tend to ignore her requests now. I also have had a couple of emails from a different woman who played the 'my child is sick/I am on benefits/I have no job' card,the story changing each time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted February 5, 2011 Author Share Posted February 5, 2011 Well I have reported this person to the moderators, but although they have removed my post she is still a member on there, so perhaps they don't care? I was going through my old yahoo messages and couldn't believe my eyes when I realised I had also given this same person a pair of very nice Parker Knoll sofas and footstool last year, only reason we got rid of them was because I had gone off the colour As I had only spoken on the phone with her and she had sent her partner round to collect them 'for her disabled son's new house' I didn't know it was the same person. Sad thing is after I had offered to let her have the sofas our local Hospice shop contacted me to have them but I turned them down as I had already promised them to this person. I am now emailing people on my local Freecycle site when they post something on there and giving them this woman's details as at least that way they can watch out for her. I feel such an idiot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
