Dear Fellow Freecyclers,
PLEASE REFRAIN FROM USING ALL CAPS FOR YOUR POSTS TO YOUR FREECYCLE GROUPS BECAU... <*ahem*>
Please refrain from using all caps for your posts to your Freecycle groups because regardless of whether all caps is interpreted as yelling or a sign of psychological instability, it is annoying for everyone to read. Your post may attract special attention but not the kind of positive attention that would reward you with the item you want. Studies have shown that comprehension of bodies of text written in all capital letters is lower than that of text written in with grammatically correct capitalization or even that of bodies of text written in all lower case.
There are unhinged people on Freecycle lists. These are people who steal, who harass other Freecyclers and who generally cause problems. Even if we assume that the Freecycler who writes in all caps is not any kind of threat or danger to anyone, the use of all caps implies an urgency or importance to the Freecycle post that trumps all other Freecycle posts. This is against the rules and the spirit of Freecycle.
So, for the love of all, just write like a normal, critical thinking human being.
As Always,
Me.
Showing posts with label wanted. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wanted. Show all posts
Monday, October 29, 2012
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Dear Fellow Freecyclers,
It's been a while but, thankfully, my freecycle lists have been normal and uneventful. Today I do need to write about one recommendation for the posting of WANTEDs:
Please be honest. It is true that if you are requesting something for your own personal profit, you are less likely to be given the item, however, do not lie and say you need the item for a project when you don't. Furthermore, do not think people are not smart enough to see that you are lying when your list username reflects that you sell that particular item.
As Always,
Me.
It's been a while but, thankfully, my freecycle lists have been normal and uneventful. Today I do need to write about one recommendation for the posting of WANTEDs:
BE HONEST
Please be honest. It is true that if you are requesting something for your own personal profit, you are less likely to be given the item, however, do not lie and say you need the item for a project when you don't. Furthermore, do not think people are not smart enough to see that you are lying when your list username reflects that you sell that particular item.
As Always,
Me.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Dear Fellow Freecyclers,
Some Freecycle lists do not allow animals to be posted as an OFFER or a WANTED. They do still allow posts for accessories and habitats for pets, such as toys, dishes and cages. Generally, I don't have a problem with this. This is very much a good thing. I actually support people finding forever homes for their furry loved ones using Freecycle, although I give credit to the argument against it because those who oppose do have very valid concerns.
That said, there's a line and here it is.
Make sure you have everything you need for a new pet BEFORE you bring that pet home. Purchasing a pet from a breeder or even a pet store (or even an adoption fee) can be expensive so if a Freecycler can alleviate the financial burden while also decluttering their home and reusing items left unused, this is great and you'll get no judgment from me; but get that done before you bring the pet home. If you take a pet from an OFFER post, make sure you have purchased everything you need before you go to the location to pick up your new pet. If you cannot afford those items for your pet and would need to ask Freecycle for them, then maybe now is not the time to take that particular pet because you can obviously not afford it.
I'm not a snob when it comes to pet ownership. I generally think it's a good idea.
But just be smart about it.
When I see a WANTED post for a "big cage" because someone already has their bird, I think about that poor bird crammed into a small cage with no toys (since toys were also in that particular WANTED). We're adults here so we can manage the calendar a little better than this to make sure the ducks are in a row beforehand.
As Always,
Me.
Some Freecycle lists do not allow animals to be posted as an OFFER or a WANTED. They do still allow posts for accessories and habitats for pets, such as toys, dishes and cages. Generally, I don't have a problem with this. This is very much a good thing. I actually support people finding forever homes for their furry loved ones using Freecycle, although I give credit to the argument against it because those who oppose do have very valid concerns.
That said, there's a line and here it is.
Make sure you have everything you need for a new pet BEFORE you bring that pet home. Purchasing a pet from a breeder or even a pet store (or even an adoption fee) can be expensive so if a Freecycler can alleviate the financial burden while also decluttering their home and reusing items left unused, this is great and you'll get no judgment from me; but get that done before you bring the pet home. If you take a pet from an OFFER post, make sure you have purchased everything you need before you go to the location to pick up your new pet. If you cannot afford those items for your pet and would need to ask Freecycle for them, then maybe now is not the time to take that particular pet because you can obviously not afford it.
I'm not a snob when it comes to pet ownership. I generally think it's a good idea.
But just be smart about it.
When I see a WANTED post for a "big cage" because someone already has their bird, I think about that poor bird crammed into a small cage with no toys (since toys were also in that particular WANTED). We're adults here so we can manage the calendar a little better than this to make sure the ducks are in a row beforehand.
As Always,
Me.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Dear Fellow Freecyclers,
Very rarely do I post WANTEDs. It's usually something that I cannot afford for a while but could really put to use if acquired immediately or something that I don't really need but would gladly have if it was available. This way, if I don't get it, it's really not that big of a deal.
I understand that there are pseudo-hoarders who use the Freecycle list to feed their addiction. They post OFFERs often, to make it appear like they are giving things away but, in honesty, they aren't choosing anyone who responds. Then they post WANTEDs. Let me say, I understand this much and generally have accepted it. Hoarding is a manifestation of a legitimate psychological condition. They're going to be at garage sales, poking through curb piles, and posting on Freecycle lists. That's just how it goes.
But I'm really annoyed. It really, really annoys me. I mean I absolutely hate it. When one of these people constantly posts a WANTED for an item that was just posted as wanted by another Freecycler. It's as if the other person reminded that hoarder that they would also like whatever that is. So they just post their WANTED for the same exact damn thing just moments after the original post went out to the group.
It pisses me off because then it becomes a competition and the hoarder's inherent selfishness bubbles to the surface.
It's ugly.
Just ugly.
Don't do it.
As Always,
Me.
Very rarely do I post WANTEDs. It's usually something that I cannot afford for a while but could really put to use if acquired immediately or something that I don't really need but would gladly have if it was available. This way, if I don't get it, it's really not that big of a deal.
I understand that there are pseudo-hoarders who use the Freecycle list to feed their addiction. They post OFFERs often, to make it appear like they are giving things away but, in honesty, they aren't choosing anyone who responds. Then they post WANTEDs. Let me say, I understand this much and generally have accepted it. Hoarding is a manifestation of a legitimate psychological condition. They're going to be at garage sales, poking through curb piles, and posting on Freecycle lists. That's just how it goes.
But I'm really annoyed. It really, really annoys me. I mean I absolutely hate it. When one of these people constantly posts a WANTED for an item that was just posted as wanted by another Freecycler. It's as if the other person reminded that hoarder that they would also like whatever that is. So they just post their WANTED for the same exact damn thing just moments after the original post went out to the group.
It pisses me off because then it becomes a competition and the hoarder's inherent selfishness bubbles to the surface.
It's ugly.
Just ugly.
Don't do it.
As Always,
Me.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Dear Fellow Freecyclers,
In consideration of this letter where we reviewed the types of post labels permitted to Freecycle, I'd like to get into how not to side-step around the WANTED to post a NEED.
I have changed the actual item but the original was equivalent to a stack of magazines.
First of all, you don't start explaining in the subject. The subject should read: WANTED: stack of magazines
Secondly, you don't set a deadline to it. You're asking someone to give you something. Plus, on moderated lists, it's likely the post won't even be distributed to the list before your deadline expires. This will make it even less likely that you will receive what you want because people think the time has passed.
Finally, you don't need magazines. You want them. They may be required for a project but if you're posting same day for a stack of them, that's poor planning on your part and does not constitute an emergency to violate basic posting guidelines and etiquette. Freecycle doesn't post NEEDED, it posts WANTED because everyone is equal and all WANTEDS and OFFERS are equal.
As Always,
Me
In consideration of this letter where we reviewed the types of post labels permitted to Freecycle, I'd like to get into how not to side-step around the WANTED to post a NEED.
WANTED: I really need a stack of magazines by this afternoon
I have changed the actual item but the original was equivalent to a stack of magazines.
First of all, you don't start explaining in the subject. The subject should read: WANTED: stack of magazines
Secondly, you don't set a deadline to it. You're asking someone to give you something. Plus, on moderated lists, it's likely the post won't even be distributed to the list before your deadline expires. This will make it even less likely that you will receive what you want because people think the time has passed.
Finally, you don't need magazines. You want them. They may be required for a project but if you're posting same day for a stack of them, that's poor planning on your part and does not constitute an emergency to violate basic posting guidelines and etiquette. Freecycle doesn't post NEEDED, it posts WANTED because everyone is equal and all WANTEDS and OFFERS are equal.
As Always,
Me
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Dear Fellow Freecyclers,
If you want seven different items and your local list requests that you keep or outright requires you to keep a 1:1 ratio with WANTED and OFFER posts, do not for the love of all that is good and decent in this world, pick out seven paperback books from your bookcase and create an OFFER post for each individual book.
That old John Grisham bestseller might have been made into a movie but it's not really on par with asking for a new carpet shampooer and you know it. Not only is it bad manners to flood the list, it's blatant that you're being cute to get what you want.
Control yourself, please.
As Always,
Me.
If you want seven different items and your local list requests that you keep or outright requires you to keep a 1:1 ratio with WANTED and OFFER posts, do not for the love of all that is good and decent in this world, pick out seven paperback books from your bookcase and create an OFFER post for each individual book.
That old John Grisham bestseller might have been made into a movie but it's not really on par with asking for a new carpet shampooer and you know it. Not only is it bad manners to flood the list, it's blatant that you're being cute to get what you want.
Control yourself, please.
As Always,
Me.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Dear Fellow Freecyclers,
Here are the subject classifications: WANTED, OFFER, RECEIVED, TAKEN.
THANKS is sometimes used in replaced of RECEIVED, which is what one posts after getting what they posted in a WANTED. TAKEN is posted by the person who posted the OFFER after it is taken by someone. If you respond to an OFFER, don't post a THANKS. Not only does it create yet another Freecycle post that doesn't need to be there, it lets us all know that you are the one who has it, which can be dangerous on a list of over 5000 people, some of whom also asked to pick up the OFFER that you took.
This might seem trivial but there has been a history of people placing themselves in precarious situations because of Freecycling. The organization, both nationally and locally, encourages a set of safe guidelines for giving/receiving property, including meeting in a neutral location so private residences aren't known. This is to keep everyone safe. When a THANKS is posted in response to an OFFER, it lets every unstable person who felt they needed that particular thing know that you are the one who has it, who took it from them. Also, on account of a THANKS post being so unnecessary, I've actually heard someone on the cafe group describe it as "bragging". There's just some kinds of people you don't want to piss off.
Thanking people is good manners, so send the person a private email to say, "Thank you."
As Always,
Me.
PS. As a related point, when you post an OFFER and it is successfully picked up by a fellow Freecycler, do not include the person's name in the TAKEN post. With all the reasons previously stated above, minus the paranoia about "bragging", it's just not cool to put someone else's name out there without their consent.
Here are the subject classifications: WANTED, OFFER, RECEIVED, TAKEN.
THANKS is sometimes used in replaced of RECEIVED, which is what one posts after getting what they posted in a WANTED. TAKEN is posted by the person who posted the OFFER after it is taken by someone. If you respond to an OFFER, don't post a THANKS. Not only does it create yet another Freecycle post that doesn't need to be there, it lets us all know that you are the one who has it, which can be dangerous on a list of over 5000 people, some of whom also asked to pick up the OFFER that you took.
This might seem trivial but there has been a history of people placing themselves in precarious situations because of Freecycling. The organization, both nationally and locally, encourages a set of safe guidelines for giving/receiving property, including meeting in a neutral location so private residences aren't known. This is to keep everyone safe. When a THANKS is posted in response to an OFFER, it lets every unstable person who felt they needed that particular thing know that you are the one who has it, who took it from them. Also, on account of a THANKS post being so unnecessary, I've actually heard someone on the cafe group describe it as "bragging". There's just some kinds of people you don't want to piss off.
Thanking people is good manners, so send the person a private email to say, "Thank you."
As Always,
Me.
PS. As a related point, when you post an OFFER and it is successfully picked up by a fellow Freecycler, do not include the person's name in the TAKEN post. With all the reasons previously stated above, minus the paranoia about "bragging", it's just not cool to put someone else's name out there without their consent.
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