Freecycle gripe

[DaeOne]

I belong to the local branch of the freecycle group. I enjoy finding people who need what I no longer need. I normally give more than I take, which is fine by me.

Occasionally, a few posters will not let everyone know an item has been taken. The local mods are good at reminding them to do thus, so it all works out.

Today, someone posted an item that I'd truly like to have. I replied immediately, (I was fortunate enough to check my mail about the time it was posted), hoping I'll be lucky.

The reply I got was a request to "apply" for approval to e-mail this person! How rude! She contacted me, not the other way around. Why belong to this group, and offer items, if someone has to write you a sentence, basically for approval?

I understand wanting to battle spam, but still.

[Shoo]

Wait.  I don't get it.  You sent her an email and an automated email from her came back to you, stating that you could email her if you "applied" and were accepted?

Is this some new spam filter I've never heard of? 

Me thinks she's going to have a hard time giving away her Freecycle stuff.

[magicdomino]

Who sent the request, the group administrator or the person giving away the item?  Some of the Freecycle groups have been having some administrative problems or breaking away from the original group.

My biggest problem with Freecycle has been people who e-mail that they want an item, but never pick it up or e-mial that they don't want it anymore.  A working VCR finally went to the 6th person to e-mail, and it took her over a week to pick it up.  I put my neighborhood and a major crossroads in my posts so that people know how far they would need to go.

That reminds me.  The old sled has been on the front porch all weekend.  Guess I have to e-mail a reminder to that guy, too.  

[DaeOne]

The giver sent the e-mail. Here, our problem is resellers, so we've learned to ignore people who reply gimme a lot.

I got the automated "No offense, but I have too much spam" reply within a minute of responding. However, I've gotten nothing else once I submitted my request.

I wonder if I should contact the mods?

[RegionMom]

She may not be aware she has Freecycle blocked out.  I have it sent directly to a file in my e-mail.
Sometimes items that are NOT spam get dumped into bulk because I have not opened anything from that group in a while, or because it was sent out to many people and my computer is trying to protect me.

Just send her an FYI on what you got sent auto. and only go to the mods if she gives a snarky response. 

[DaeOne]

Well, she just sent two e-mails. One telling me the item was still up for grabs, and the second telling me and three other people first come, first serve.

I e-mailed her back and told her I can get the item tomorrow. We'll see what she says.

I may contact the mods on this. It's tacky that I had to go through that rigamarole, only to be told "first come, first serve."

But, that's what you get for being cheap, I guess!

[Evil Duckie]

The problem may not be here but her ISP. I know that a few of the smaller ISPs were having their account holders okay all emails from new addresses (atleast to that account) in the name of preventing spam. I have run into a few times with business and it is very frustrating.

[DaeOne]

Okay, I did a properties search on her e-mail address, and she has earthlink. (I don't know how I missed it earlier.)

Someone else snagged the item tonight. Apparently, this woman can't be bothered to e-mail "item taken" to everyone on the list.

Oh, well. Maybe next time!