How do you handle posting free things on Craigslist?

[midwest07]

We have been replacing a few things around the house and my preference has been to just post things free on Craigslist.  These are bigger items, like an entertainment center, and I don't want to mess with getting it somewhere to donate.

When I post the ad, I include photos, dimensions, address, any other relevant details....and then I say something such as "Will delete post when item is gone.  Will not take calls/texts.  Will respond by email only to confirm if item is still available."  The item is always at the curb (and ad says that) so I don't have to answer the door.

Inevitably, I get a bunch of emails asking more questions about the item, asking to hold the item for a particular person, asking for me to call the person and give directions, asking what type of condition the item is in (IT'S FREE!), etc.  If I was asking for any $$, I would entertain this, but I do the free option to try to avoid having to respond.  I have held something before, but then the person never came.

How do you handle posting free things?  Do you hold it for whoever responds first?  Do you just ignore any emails until someone comes to take the item?  Is there some sort of free etiquette I should be aware of?

[grover]

I don't use Craigslist. I either post it to freecycle or the local fb garage sale page.

[VillainV]

A lot of donation centers will come pick up bulky items.

I would probably just leave it on the curb, post a picture, basic details, dimensions, etc, and say "It's on the curb. First come, first served. I will not be able to respond to any questions about this item. If it's not gone by X it will be donated."

[RoxMonster]

The only things I have posted for free on CL are some old landscaping bricks we removed from our yard and landscaping sheeting. I put them at the curb and posted a brief description on CL. We have a dog and I hate when people come to the door so I even put "Please just take them and do not come to owner's door."

They are always gone quickly and I have no idea if it's CL people or just someone driving around and seeing it. I delete the posting once it's gone.

I think it's fine to not hold it for anyone; I wouldn't. I would probably not respond to many comments/questions for free items. Chances are, someone will either come out and take it or someone driving by will see it and take it. You'll get rid of it without the hassle of all those questions.

[midwest07]

Jul 5, 2015 15:48:45 GMT -5 VillainV said:

A lot of donation centers will come pick up bulky items.

I would probably just leave it on the curb, post a picture, basic details, dimensions, etc, and say "It's on the curb. First come, first served. I will not be able to respond to any questions about this item. If it's not gone by X it will be donated."

We have been doing this too, I have a whole bunch of smaller household items, clothes, etc, being picked up this week.  One item, for example, was an old but working lawn mower.  I couldn't really find a donation place to take it, and the city will take it but throw it out.  So I wanted someone to be able to use it.

I try to hold back from responding but I feel bad!  I need to stand firm because usually someone comes soon and I can just delete the post and then people know.

[dexteroni]

I don't do this, but is there an option to not allow people to email you? If not, use a junk email address and don't check it. Or direct all emails that come via craigslist to go to your spam folder.

I like VillainV's idea of phrasing it more like an announcement than a sales ad. "As long as this ad is up, it's still out there; come and get it."

[Susie]

I put "curb alert" in the title, full details and photos, and include in the listing "will not hold," "item goes to the first person to pick up, no exceptions," and "will take posting down when item is gone."  Then I don't respond, unless I legit think I left a relevant detail out.

It's amazing the shit people will take for free.  When we bought our house, the sellers left us these curtains, matching on the LR & DR windows:

You WOULD NOT BELIEVE the number of hopeful takers for the pair.  It was madness.

[vanillacourage]

I use a different email address for CL stuff, partially to avoid hassle and partly so that LinkedIn and other sites don't suggest the CL randos as connections or pre-populate in an email's send line. 

So, I'd post a picture and dimensions and be clear that the item is on the curb, the ad will be taken down when it's gone, and that email's will not be read/returned. 

[insominac]

I just posted some free moving boxes last night. I took the first three people that are interested and remove the listing. If the first one didn't want it or was a no show or didn't take all of them, I went to the next person. It worked out well.

[ddi741]

We just donate it. We have two places ( a local ministry and the Salvation Army) that will pick the stuff up. We don't even have to be home. We just put it outside and they leave the receipt on the porch.

[Deleted]

I always ask for money It's amazing what people will pay for crappy stuff lol.

But I don't always reply to everyone. I just sold my couch last weekend and had like 15 people interested and I only replied to the first few and stopped once I had a buyer. I don't really care about etiquette I guess? I don't know these people and they are taking 2 seconds to email me so I don't assume they are losing out either if they don't get a reply.

[Deleted]

I always put a very detailed description in the listing with pictures. I also have a separate email account.

Since I'm an asshole, I usually put something in the listing like:

"Everything I know about this item is in the listing. I WILL NOT RESPOND to emails. NO HOLDS. First come, first serve."