The rewards of courtesy

[nanila]

Dear Freecyclers,

I typically don't give my free stuff to the first person who asks for it. This is why. The first message I receive usually looks like this:

"do u still haev [thing x] i can pick up anytime"

whereas the fifth or sixth message I receive often looks like this:

"Hi nanila,
If you still have [thing x], please may I have it? Here is a very good reason why I need/desire [thing x]. I can pick up [thing x] in the evenings, and my mobile number is included.
Thank you,
Freecycler Who Wins [thing x]"

Can you spot the difference? If you can't, you probably aren't getting my free stuff.

Kisses,
Me

(I may be a little grumpy because the following scene awoke me this morning. It is about ten minutes before the alarm goes off, and my brain is beginning to bestir itself from dreamland. I am faintly conscious that Telstar has jumped on the bed. I am not aware that the toes of my right foot are just poking out from the end of the duvet.

"Don't do it, Telly," the bloke, who is already awake, says.

Telstar looks at him with a devilish expression, looks at my toes, and pounces. Chomp go his teeth. Howl goes the nanila.)

Comments

[lark_ascends]

Ouch!!!!

[nanila]

The surprise and alarm was greater than the physical pain, I must admit.

[ankaret]

I'm always boggled by people who think that the world will give them free stuff just for turning up with a slack-jawed snarl. Also by the people who think the world will give them free stuff just for turning up with a slack-jawed snarl, and then don't turn up to collect it.

[majoline]

This. This is why I've stopped bothering to put stuff on Freecycle. Hardly anyone who contacted me, even those who wrote in full sentences, actually ever showed up to collect anything.

I was thinking about relisting on ebay or craigslist because I actually do need the stuff out of the house and I might as well see if someone will pay for it.

[doccy]

Good plan - people are (literally) more invested in things they've paid for, even though - of course - the free stuff costs less :P

[nanila]

That's interesting. All the stuff I've put up on freecycle that's been claimed has been collected. Occasionally an item hasn't been claimed, and sometimes that's puzzled me - like a big CRT television in good condition. Weird.

[nanila]

Good punk band name: The Slack-Jawed Snarlers.

I've had really good luck with the non-slack-jawed-snarlers so far. Everything I've offered on freecycle has been collected.

[capri]

I know exactly, exactly how you feel re: Freecycle! I do the same. (I haven't actually encountered anyone who doesn't pick up stuff as arranged, though. I think S'poreans like their free stuff too much. /stereotype)

[nanila]

I've had the same experience as you - people have always turned up on time for their free stuff. Not sure what makes the difference!