What weird/outrageous requests have you seen on Freecycle/Craigslist?

[otterwoman]

I don't see anything wrong in asking for whatever you want on Freecycle, it's how you handle not getting the item that's the issue. If you start posting sob stories, people will roll their eyes and delete. Some people may even write back nasty messages (not cool). Reposting every other day is also annoying to people. But, asking for start-up household items in itself doesn't offend me.

When I think of "weird/outrageous requests" I think along the lines of trained organ playing monkey or extra space shuttle.

[momma_licious]

Just before Christmas, someone posted asking for what amounted to an apartments worth of furniture, clothing for 3 kids and an adult, groceries, toys for Christmas, food and medical supplies for 3a different pets, and a few other things.

[Outdoor Girl]

My mother couldn't wait for me to get my first apartment.  She wanted new furniture for the family room so once she gave me the old stuff, she didn't feel guilty anymore.

What I don't get are these people with huge lists of stuff they 'need'.  I probably wouldn't ever respond to one of those ads.  If you need the stuff, you do the leg work combing through various ads and collect the items from different people.

[Rohanna]

ditto on the second-hand/bargain household starter items.

seriously, i was o_O the first time i saw the ad for the ikea 'kitchen in a box' suggestion for college students/graduates.  what ever happened to using mom's extra/old pots and pans etc., thrift storing/bargain hunting when just starting out?  or saving up and buying your own, instead of the ad's expectation that mom and dad will buy all new stuff!!! for you...

Eh, my "kitchen in a box" was about $20 in 2002 and I'm still using almost everything (except the bendy flatware, which got tossed fast) in my "adult" kitchen 10 years later. Not exactly an outrageous expense.

My "kitchen in a box" from Canadian Tire was cheaper than thrifting the items, tbh- and again the only thing that had no staying power was the cutlery- the frying pan is still hanging on my pot rack atm. It's not always entitlement to buy new, sometimes it's the cheaper option.

[UpdatedName]

I placed an ad on Kijiji to sell a brand new iphone 4s. The package wasn't even opened and it was bought straight from Apple ! It cost $749+tax and shipping so that's what I was selling it for (minus shipping). I figured this is reasonable, because the product wasn't even touched. I stated in the ad that I will only accept money and the price is non negotiable and no trades.

Well, apparently people responding to my ad didn't see it as reasonable because the offers I got were jokes. I got ads that said "I want this and I have $500 in cash. Where can I pick it up?"  I had one guy offer me a 1980-something snowmobile that didn't even look as if it was worth $100, let alone $800 !

I eventually took the ad down because it was clear no one was actually reading the ad and no one was going to make a serious offer. I didn't even respond to any of those emails because I couldn't think of a polite way to say "Heck no and stop wasting my time" .. 

Was the phone difficult to find in stores?

[Ceallach]

ditto on the second-hand/bargain household starter items.

seriously, i was o_O the first time i saw the ad for the ikea 'kitchen in a box' suggestion for college students/graduates.  what ever happened to using mom's extra/old pots and pans etc., thrift storing/bargain hunting when just starting out?  or saving up and buying your own, instead of the ad's expectation that mom and dad will buy all new stuff!!! for you...

Eh, my "kitchen in a box" was about $20 in 2002 and I'm still using almost everything (except the bendy flatware, which got tossed fast) in my "adult" kitchen 10 years later. Not exactly an outrageous expense.

My "kitchen in a box" from Canadian Tire was cheaper than thrifting the items, tbh- and again the only thing that had no staying power was the cutlery- the frying pan is still hanging on my pot rack atm. It's not always entitlement to buy new, sometimes it's the cheaper option.

Cheaper, easier, and in truth not everybody has random kitchen items lying around.  My mother always did, but my Dad & Stepmother have never had random spare kitchen utensils, household items etc.  They get rid of things if they upgrade.  So I agree nothing special about spending a simple $30 on stocking up on new basics.

[Daffodil]

I placed an ad on Kijiji to sell a brand new iphone 4s. The package wasn't even opened and it was bought straight from Apple ! It cost $749+tax and shipping so that's what I was selling it for (minus shipping). I figured this is reasonable, because the product wasn't even touched. I stated in the ad that I will only accept money and the price is non negotiable and no trades.

Well, apparently people responding to my ad didn't see it as reasonable because the offers I got were jokes. I got ads that said "I want this and I have $500 in cash. Where can I pick it up?"  I had one guy offer me a 1980-something snowmobile that didn't even look as if it was worth $100, let alone $800 !

I eventually took the ad down because it was clear no one was actually reading the ad and no one was going to make a serious offer. I didn't even respond to any of those emails because I couldn't think of a polite way to say "Heck no and stop wasting my time" .. 

Was the phone difficult to find in stores?

Well no place here sells them outright without a 3yr contract and the closest apple store is a 6hr drive away, so yes. The one I was selling was bought online, but turned out it wasn't needed and it was easier to try and sell it on Kijiji before shipping it back.

[UpdatedName]

I placed an ad on Kijiji to sell a brand new iphone 4s. The package wasn't even opened and it was bought straight from Apple ! It cost $749+tax and shipping so that's what I was selling it for (minus shipping). I figured this is reasonable, because the product wasn't even touched. I stated in the ad that I will only accept money and the price is non negotiable and no trades.

Well, apparently people responding to my ad didn't see it as reasonable because the offers I got were jokes. I got ads that said "I want this and I have $500 in cash. Where can I pick it up?"  I had one guy offer me a 1980-something snowmobile that didn't even look as if it was worth $100, let alone $800 !

I eventually took the ad down because it was clear no one was actually reading the ad and no one was going to make a serious offer. I didn't even respond to any of those emails because I couldn't think of a polite way to say "Heck no and stop wasting my time" .. 

Was the phone difficult to find in stores?

Well no place here sells them outright without a 3yr contract and the closest apple store is a 6hr drive away, so yes. The one I was selling was bought online, but turned out it wasn't needed and it was easier to try and sell it on Kijiji before shipping it back.

Ah. Just wondering--to be honest, I don't know of anybody who would buy something from an unknown source for the same price as the retailer if the item wasn't hard to come by. Glad to know you were able to ship it back in the end, though!

[ladyknight1]

Just received this one:

Wanted: Baby girl pageant dress

My soon to be 9 month old baby girl will be in her first ever pageant in March. We are looking for a pretty, poufy dress for her to be on stage in.

I know that pageants are very expensive to compete in. From what I have seen, dresses start at a few hundred dollars. I can't imagine signing my child up for a pageant, which involves paying an entry fee, and not having a dress already.

[Amara]

I posted that I had three unopened bottles of hot sauce today, and almost immediately received three e-mails. One of them was from a man who said he wasn't going to be in my city for quite a while but would I mind delivering said sauce to him ... in a MAJOR city a minimum of two hours' driving time away from me (and depending on where he lived in said city could be as many as three hours). The noted driving time is one way, folks. In a heavy-traffic-at-most-times-of-the-day-and-night city.

What I thought upon reading his e-mail is unprintable. What I said was simply, "No, sorry."

I am still shaking my head over his presumption.

[alegria]

Oh this one is good....

Looking for a futon frame only. I also am looking for two matching bookshelves. Must be willing to deliver to (my home). Futon i would like to be full or queen. Thank you.

I really like the "must be matching" part and the "must deliver to me" part, all for free!  *sigh*

[siamesecat2965]

I generally don't have a problem with someone asking for furniture or household goods, esp if they're just moving out and don't have much $$.  But....it all depends on how its worded, and whether they'll be fine not getting anything as a result of their asking. 

[alkira6]

I just got a brand new name serger from freecyle. I was reading the ads as it was posted and literally jumped on it seconds after she posted.  I picked it up the next day and was really squeeing over it. Brand new, came with the box and everything and she threw in some cones of thread.  Saved me about $500.

Woman reads my thank you post and sends me a long scathing email about resellers, greedy people, and tells me a sob story about how she needs the serger more than I do.  And she wants me to deliver it to her because it would be the Christian Thing To Do.    Ummm, no. Sent it along to the mods.

[Slartibartfast]

I generally don't have a problem with someone asking for furniture or household goods, esp if they're just moving out and don't have much $$.  But....it all depends on how its worded, and whether they'll be fine not getting anything as a result of their asking.

I'm with you on this.  I don't even mind if someone specifically wants a maroon desk chair, or a bookcase that's at least three feet tall, or a specific size mattress.  But it helps if they give a reason - "We would love a mattress; we have a queen-sized headboard so a queen-sized mattress would be awesome" or "I'm looking for a bookcase at least three feet tall, so I can put books on the top shelves and my puppy can't chew them."  Specifying that you need a name brand item, of a specific color, in a specific size or type . . . yeah, I don't respond to those even if I happen to have that item available.

[TootsNYC]

That is nice!

Honestly I think the opposite.

It really feels like a parent who wants to hold their generosity over someones head.  And teach their kids that.  I don't know exactly what it is about the post that gives me that feeling, it just does.

I agree.  Although I believe the woman in question means well, something feels a little "off" about this to me.  It makes me very uncomfortable when others are put in a position wherein they are expected to grovel or act unduly grateful.

Not to mention, come and GET the presents!

That's not all that generous, actually. Santa delivers.