Have you noticed this? What do you think of it?

[quelindo]

I've been scouring Craigslist's free list and Freecycle lately in hopes of stocking up on baby clothes in case our IVF cycle works. But it seems like many of the posts say that they want to give to someone who really, REALLY needs it, they want you to e-mail them your child's size, they want to give it in person to your child, etc.

We're not destitute, but we're not wealthy and are watching every penny. I have given plenty of things away through Freecycle, too.

Have you noticed this where you are? What do you think of it?

[2xy]

Yes, I see things like that on CL here, too. I think if someone is giving something away, it's up to them to decide who to give it to.

When I give away freebies, I don't always go "first come, first serve," for example. Just because a person emailed me first doesn't mean I pick them.

I understand watching every penny, and I also give free things away, but in these tough times I can totally understand wanting to give clothing to someone who has an immediate need and can use the things right away.

[VisionaryMom]

I also prefer to give to people who really need it. There are people who will claim a need for *anything* I post, even though they may range from my clothes to tons of toddler socks to hubby's old coats. That they wear the same size as everyone in our family is doubtful, so I do avoid those people. I figure they're re-selling, and if I wanted to do that, I'd just head to Goodwill and drop off my things, plus get a tax write-off.

[SleeplessMommy]

I know how hard the uncertainty is. Let me assure you there will be plenty of time to get baby clothing. s

If you don't have friends with young kids, it will take just 1-2 good yard sales, a good church sale or two, or a post on MDC (trading post ISO baby clothing). Baby clothing is worn for a short period of time for each size, and some people get lots of extra for gifts, when the grandparents go crazy. All you need for a newborn is a half dozen gowns (easy diaper changes) and some button front suits in assorted sizes. Maybe some front-opening onsies. Many baby clothing items require pulling over the head, which is awkward to say the least.

Once the baby is here, you join a local Mom's group and get more clothing from there Good luck with the IVF!

[Norasmomma]

Well I just gave a HUGE box of clothes away, like enough to clothe a baby girl to about 18 months, I did want it to go to someone who needed it, but mostly it came down to whoever would come and get it. It ended getting picked up and given to 21 y/o single mom with a 2 month old a no family in our area.

[MissMommyNiceNice]

Honestly, sometimes I like to charge a ridiculous small amount just to ensure someone will come & get something b/c they are paying for it. I just got rid of a cheap-o microwave b/c I got a new one for Christmas. Trust me, if I had put it on freecycle, it would have taken a week to get rid of b/c of the "oh the snow" and "I really need this" and "my truck broke down" blah blah blah. Instead I put it on CL for $5 and someone came and got it first thing in the morning. Easy peasy.

Really, just wait for consignment sales or yardsales. I shoved a bag full at our local consignment store's annual bag sale and got just about everything I needed for $10. Besides, if you're not already pgs, you don't want to stock up on a lot of things in the wrong season cycle.

Good luck. Wishing you sticky vibes!

[Tizzy]

If it's any easier, I often see garbage bags full offered for sale on kijiji (like Craigslist) - over 100 pieces for $5-10. Really, you can't beat that when you factor in the trouble and stress of trying to get it for free - being the first one to respond etc.

[Fuamami]

Yes, I see that too. It kind of drives me up the wall, honestly. But for me FC is about getting rid of crap that I need to get rid of, and can't necessarily donate. I guess different people have different motivations. Considering how hard it is to get anyone to pick-up, though, I wonder if those people change their tunes pretty quickly.

[Hedgehog Mtn]

I can understand that. We have a couple people here that do rounds daily of the swap room at the dump, freecycle, the CL free stuff etc....they never pay a dime for any of it, grab anything and EVERYTHING they think has value and sell it in their shops in town. It bothers me because they are aggressive about getting the stuff before someone else does and prevent others who have a true NEED from getting something.

I've also noticed that when things don't sell they don't bother to drop them back off at the swap room or anything - they toss everything they can't sell in the dumpster behind their shops so NOBODY benefits.

Due to this behavior I am careful to make at least a reasonable attempt to make sure the items are going to someone who intends to actually use them.

[scrapadoozer]

If I were giving something away to someone who was not a friend, family member or acquaintance I would rather it went to someone who was truly in need. There are always yard sales and thrift shops for us folks who have enough but still have to watch their pennies.

[OkiMom]

Personally I have posted things to give away and ending up finding the person selling it at the local fleamarket so now I restrict who I give the items to. If I wanted it sold I would have sold it myself, I wanted someone in need to use it to benefit them and their children's lives.

[Porcelain Interior]

There are so many scammers/greedy people on FC and CL. I would never say "Send me your sob story, saddest one gets the goods!", but I can understand why people get jaded and want to avoid their well loved stuff going to greedy resellers, or people that don't even have a need themselves.

I spose it's hard when you take the community out of something to want it to be community based.

I wait after I post something and choose the calmest most rational non desperate 8 paragraph sob story person that emails me. I want a reply that is clear and indicates the person is motivated and ready to get the stuff.

I don't answer emails that say "FIRST!" or "When can I get it?!"

Or things where the wantee gives you TMI and drones on and on to try and get you to feel sorry for them.

I'm semi-jaded.

[s_kristina]

I've seen that a good bit recently myself, but given out situation I am not that bothered by it. We are in a bad place although dh will thankfully be starting a new job on the 11th and we will hopefully be able to get things in a much better place before I have to take maternity leave. Some of the lists of things people want to see to prove need is more intrusive then I would ever share, but I just pass over that person and go on to the next thing.