Battle for the Soul of Buy Nothing

[bronxgirl]

Hearing about other people's high drama BN groups is making me quite grateful for my low key group.

[VillainV]

Mar 2, 2023 11:47:51 GMT -5 definitelyO said:

I left a local BN group it was too much hassle. People would say they wanted something and communicate up until the point where they never showed up for a PPU or a meet up. Wasted WAY too much of my time. about 2 out of every 3 ended up that way and I was tired of giving out my address or wasting my time waiting at a meet up point. Then see them on-line again but can't send 1 FB message? Didn't work for me. Now I donate to a local charitable (free) organization - it's more work sometimes as the drop off times aren't great - but they don't resell and I don't have the continued hassle...

On my local B/S/T site I will often post things for $1. It’s amazing how committing even as small amount as $1 will actually make someone show up to pick up something that they won’t do when it’s free. I don’t even care if they pay me! Just show up and pick up the damn thing already!

[rubytue]

Mar 2, 2023 19:12:56 GMT -5 VillainV said:

Mar 2, 2023 11:47:51 GMT -5 definitelyO said:

I left a local BN group it was too much hassle. People would say they wanted something and communicate up until the point where they never showed up for a PPU or a meet up. Wasted WAY too much of my time. about 2 out of every 3 ended up that way and I was tired of giving out my address or wasting my time waiting at a meet up point. Then see them on-line again but can't send 1 FB message? Didn't work for me. Now I donate to a local charitable (free) organization - it's more work sometimes as the drop off times aren't great - but they don't resell and I don't have the continued hassle...

On my local B/S/T site I will often post things for $1. It’s amazing how committing even as small amount as $1 will actually make someone show up to pick up something that they won’t do when it’s free. I don’t even care if they pay me! Just show up and pick up the damn thing already!

I have a friend who said something similar. Too many no shows from freecycle. I must admit, I see things listed for $1 or $3 and it always makes me wonder why. But, I guess this is why. 

[jlt19]

In our neighborhood, nearly every house has a large covered porch, so it’s very typical to just see posts on our neighborhood FB page that says what someone has and that’s it’s on the porch if you want it. I’ve run the gamut from asking to buy someones old treadmill to offering up vegetables we wouldn’t eat in time. I’m glad it’s a regular FB page without the specific rules for b/s/t because I just can’t keep up with which group has which rule!

[lolc]

Mar 1, 2023 9:48:29 GMT -5 AJL said:

Feb 28, 2023 17:00:51 GMT -5 pugz said:

I love my BN group. It has sprouted multiple times and people get super pissed every time.

Our group recently asked people to stop responding to posts with their sob stories or a PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE! and just respond "interested" or something simple like that a few people that were in BN groups in other cities previously were so offended that we don't want to get to know each other's stories and become BFFs.

No dude. Not here for this. I don't need paragraphs about why you think you need it. I'm gonna draw a number via random.org and be done with it. 

I generally use my BN group for purging stuff and rarely actually request anything (though I did request browning bananas because there was a collective demand at my house for banana bread. lol!)

But when I post things, it becomes this long list of folks with their "Why you should choose me" essays and I just can't with that. Usually, I do first come, first served, because honestly I just want it gone. However, yesterday I posted three complete book series sets and there were about sixty people interested, most of whom shared a story as to why they should get the books. So I did a drawing. I figured that was the most equitable option.  I guess sometimes I feel like the stories are emotionally manipulative (and I realize that's my issue.)

Does your group not use random number generator? Ours is/was big on coming up with unique ways to choose a winner. But ultimately, it seems easier for everyone to pick a random number and whoever has that number wins.