Not right for eBay? Use Freecycle!

Ever wonder what to do about all those items that aren’t worth holding a garage sale for? As the premier eBay store in Dallas, Easysale sells a lot of treasures for a lot of money, but there are just some things that aren’t worth the trouble of a listing. And what about those times when a trip to the thrift store isn’t convenient, but you still want your unwanted item to go to a good cause?

If you haven’t heard of Freecycle, you’re missing out on a fantastic opportunity to minimize the junk that ends up in our local landfills while at the same time helping out a fellow community member in need. Freecycle is a nationwide, online grassroots movement that seeks to redistribute members’ unwanted and/or unused items to other members at no charge.

That’s right: it’s free, hence the name, Freecycle.  Its mission is simple: members can post items that they would like to give to someone else in the network or to request items that they would like to receive. That’s it! The network operates as a Yahoo! Groups mailing list, so you’ll need to have a Yahoo! account in order to join, but once you have, you’re welcome to jump into the fray.

The Freecycle Network (TM)  is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and has over 4,800 groups and 6.7 million members worldwide, making it the largest online environmental community in the world. Don’t be overwhelmed by the numbers, though: each member belongs to at least one Freecycle community group, with the Dallas/Fort Worth area alone hosting a dozen or so that cater to the different parts of the city as well as the suburbs, including North Dallas, Central Dallas, East Dallas, Plano, Carrollton, Irving, and many, many others. You can choose to be a member of just your own corner of the Metroplex or join multiple others, although keep in mind how far you’re willing to travel to pick something up.

Before you hop aboard, bear in mind some fundamental rules of etiquette that the umbrella Freecycle organization enforces in all of its groups, such as a ban on the distribution of pornography, alcohol, tobacco, firearms, or prescription or nonprescription medications. Local groups each have at least one volunteer moderator who ensures that members adhere to the general Freecycle rules as well as any other guidelines specific to that membership. Many Freecycle groups, especially those that cover small cities or suburbs, are more relaxed about what members can or cannot do, while others are strictly moderated and do not tolerate any member who abuses the rules. All, however, must follow the basic rules regarding the distribution of illegal or inappropriate materials such as those mentioned above.

The most important thing to remember is that the Freecycle Network is a community dedicated to keeping things out of landfills and into the hands of people who want what someone else may no longer need or want. As Freecycle and its moderators take pains to point out, it’s not about finding people to fulfill your wish list of expensive items; selling items (no exchange of money must ever take place over a Freecycle transaction); bartering, which is strictly prohibited; or advertising your yard/garage/estate sales. Some people use Freecycle to source items that they immediately turn around and sell on eBay or even their own garage sales, but most local groups have clear rules governing that particular use of the site, so read the guidelines carefully.

So if you have an old couch, VCR, bicycle, toys, clothes , books, school supplies, appliances,electronics,  or even cars (yes, people have gotten cars off of Freecycle, although it’s not that common), try offering it on your local Freecycle mailing list. Chances are, you have a lot of things in your garage or attic that won’t sell for much on eBay but will likely find a good home elsewhere in the community.

If you’re in need of something yourself, try posting a “Wanted” request, as someone else may have exactly what you need just languishing in their own attic. Freecycle does, however, suggest that members who want something should post an Offer first to establish goodwill, introduce yourself to the group and encourage the spirit of sharing that inspired the first Freecycle transaction.

For more information, visit the Freecycle website.

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