I totally agree, this is also based on my observation. I do hope we can
all pro-actively make this forum serve it's purpose and not only for the
benefit of a few.
It is very funny that when you put up something with value, most of the
time, you will see a familiar email or the same person who will the first
one requesting for the unit.
Cheers,
From: SgFreecycle@yahoogroups.com [mailto:SgFreecycle@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of suelynn
Sent: Thursday, June 30, 2011 10:15 PM
To: Asam
Cc: SgFreecycle@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [SgFreecycle] Suggestion: Randomly select receiving party
I have always been suspicious of the fact that there might be people like
those described. Somehow, for the items that I ask for, its always quickly
taken and I find it amazing that freecycler's reply would be to thank for
the "overwhelming" response. Wow. Is there some kind of syndicate that has
20 members just sending out emails to respond and reserve?!? I wonder too if
they have a fleet of vehicles ready to dispatch and collect! haha (maybe not
so funny since nothing is impossible if for making money!!)
So, I do agree that freecyclers can practice a wait and select carefully
approach.
As for me, I might hop over to the Facebook SgFreecycle where every
freecycler has to have a facebook account and "active" FB.
Cheers for bringing this up!
Happy Freecycling anyway...
On 29-Jun-2011, at 8:59 PM, Asam wrote:
> Hello freecyclers,
> Given the fact that the items offered on this list are free and often of
monetary value, there are many who constantly lurk around waiting to profit
off any offer on high valued items (collect and sell/scrap).
> This can be inferred from the observation that high valued items
(computers, televisions, pianos, etc) are always very quickly collected
regardless of when the offer was posted whereas items of lower value but
with similar utility and audience (clothes, books, small furniture, etc)
follow a longer and more periodic (e.g. after work hours, weekends) time
before being collected.
> If the above is right, then some/most of those who respond first are
likely attempting to profit off the offered items, against the purpose of
freecycling.
> Also consider that most of us, and more importantly, those less well off
who legitimately need the offered items, would not be constantly monitoring
the list. It is hence unlikely that these people would be the first to
respond.
>
> My suggestion is this: If you are not in a hurry to get rid of the items
you wish to offer, why not give everybody a fair chance at receiving your
item? Wait for at least a few hours (best would be a day) and instead of
replying to the first few who responds, randomly select one from the list of
emails (take note that some will send multiple emails in an attempt to
favour their chances).
>
> To make my stand clear:
> 1. I am not accusing anyone or implying that all those who respond first
are attempting to profit off freecycling. However, undeniably there are
people who do try to profit off others' well meaning.
> 2. What I've suggested evens everyone's chances of receiving the offered
items instead of heavily biasing towards those who respond first. It does
not attempt to penalise anyone.
> 3. People with legitimate reasons to receive items should not be penalised
just because they cannot constantly monitor the list for items offered or
cannot respond fast enough.
> 4. Of course, it is your offer posting, you can choose how you want to
select the recipient. This is only a suggestion.
>
> Happy freecycling! =)
>
>
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