I used to be part of freecycle.org… I used to be part of freecycle.org for the St Catharines, Ontario (Canada) group. My account got deleted without being notified ahead of time or even told why. A few years later (this week) I rejoined to try and give away a desk and drawers that I had got from someone locally. I then tried posting an ad for the free desk and had copied over my ad from another free ad site. My post about the free desk was not approved TWICE without any admin stating why. Then on the third time, it got deleted again and an admin wrote why it had not been approved, something about not having a phone number in the ad or even referring to one(!!). Since I had copied my ad from another site, I had forgotten to take out the reference to calling which is why it was deleted. It took 3 days for me to be told why. Not very good. I have deleted my account with freecycle as it is not what it used to be.

A great idea frustrated by its users Unlike others who’ve posted here, I haven’t had problems with the website functionality or with moderation. My disappointment has been with the users. I see people here referring to “time wasters” and I have to agree. I get the feeling there are people who just sit on the site and pounce when they see something they either might like for themselves or, think they can sell. They respond enthusiastically, promise they can come and get the item at any time and then at the last minute come up with excuses as to why they can’t after all do so or don’t, after all want what they’ve been adamant they must have. Of course not everyone’s like that but enough are for me to have wasted hours of my time and to have decided, reluctantly, to delete my account.

Good until recently I have had good experiences in the past. But recently I was ignored when I tried several times to contact my local moderators after a scary experience. I was giving away some paving materials. Many people replied, but I offered it to the first person, as I felt I should. He texted and showed up promptly. But he also tried to completely control the pickup, and made me extremely uncomfortable. He was verbally abusive and very creepy. He told me that he was friends with the moderators, and basically knew more than I did. And I got no reply to any of my complaints to the moderators. No response at all. I am much more wary now, and hesitate to use freecycle. I recommend that you do not have someone pick up from your home if at all possible. Vet the person if you can, and have someone with you at any pickup. My experience was traumatic.

Good idea ruined by time wasters Good idea ruined by time wasters Posted all my white goods as moving to place with fitted goods received a message at 3am saying I'll have it if you deliver. Things went downhill from there people were seemingly enthusiastic but then didn't reply to messages. Asked for more details and more photos so provided by e mail then whole day wasted with messing on with people who are just mucking about. Too good for tip but that's where it's going closed account which is shame as worked in past

Weird feeling I made a post asking for any digital camera and this person told me they had one and we could meet. I said sure but somewhere where there’s people and then sent me their number. I checked her picture on whatsapp (around 60 years old woman) and decide to check if it’s AI generated or not, and it was 99.9% generated. The way she was talking and how she looked didn’t match either. The person was also being quite insistent on meeting… why are you insisting if you’re giving it away? I’m not meeting up with this person but be careful with this!!