I’d like to preface this entry by reminding the world at large how much I love Freecycle. I mean, I totally less than 3 (<3) it, j0. I’ve gotten many a wonderful thing from Freecycle including books, clothes and darn near all of The Little Empress’ big a$$ plastic toys that I couldn’t have otherwise afforded in this lifetime. (Did I mention I got a fantastic Step 2 climber for free a few weeks ago? No? How about the sizable addition to my graphic novel library just about a week ago? Didn’t mention that either? Well, let me brag now, then. Okay, I’m done.)
But my love of Freecycle is sometimes trumped by my *headdesking* of Freecycle. I love the concept of Freecycle, keeping things out of landfills and what not, but I think too many people use it as a place to shamelessly beg for stuff. It is one thing to score something because someone is throwing it out; it is another to straight out BEG for something. And I know times are tough but somehow, begging for an iPod because “I really need an iPod with my lifestyle” doesn’t count. (I love my iPod too but no one needs one. Sheesh.)
But whatever, if the mods let it through, eh, at least I got something to snark at. (My life is filled with simple pleasures these days. When you’re broke, you entertain yourself with what you can, right? Right.)
What I don’t appreciate are emails in my inbox like this one I got recently after posting some stuff up for offer. (I always try to offer something in return for either asking or receiving something else. Remember folks, give a little, get a little.)
im due august 18th with a baby girl i have barely any clothes for her because my first doctor said i was having a boy so i spent all my money on boy things do u have any newborn to 3 months clothes socks bibs hats mittens anything that u dont need?
I sat there with my mouth gaping open for a few minutes. My mind was filled with things to retort with.
From the nice…
Babies just warm clothes, a place to sleep and a safe car seat. Your baby girl won’t care that her onesie is blue so long as Mommy loves her.
To the not so nice…
Baby girls can wear boy clothes, too. Or are you afraid it’ll make her a lesbian? (If so, what’s wrong with that?!)
To the flat out snarky…
I’m sorry, but can you repeat your request in English? I don’t speak Dumb*ss.
For the record, I emailed her back asking her to send requests like that to the Freecycle list and not to individual people’s emails, warning her that I would also report her to the mods. She hasn’t posted since.
Gee. I wonder why.
Anyhow, all of this was inspired by finding this gem of a site: FailCycle. A must-read for any Freecycle fanatic who has rolled their eyes at some of the posts that come through their local Freecycle lists. It looks like they haven’t updated in awhile but it is still amusing as heck.
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Text and photographs copyrighted by Michelle N unless otherwise noted.
I always wonder how I miss knowing stuff that others are aware of…and now I see one more thing I did not know was out there. Thanks for letting me know about Freecycle – sounds like a good idea!