Asking Too Much

(Don't fall over.  Yes, I've posted twice within the same week.) 

I'm a member of a Freecycle group.  Basically, instead of hauling your stuff to Goodwill or the Salvation Army or putting it out at the side of the road, you can post it to the Yahoo group, with the hopes that someone will want it.  I've received some GREAT things from Freecycle:  a dining room set (complete with buffet and china cupboard), a queen size bed, a NEW mattress, heirloom tomatoes.  I've given some things away:  The dryer that conked out, the vacuum that I no longer needed (I had two!  Why two?), a bicycle tube that we couldn't take back to the store because we didn't have the receipt.  You don't pay for anything here.  Kind of like a pay-it-forward idea.  

The other thing you can do on Freecycle is post a request for things.  Sometimes, the requests aren't too bad:  baby clothes (certain sizes), items for school craft projects, a baseball hoop.  But sometimes, well, sometimes the requests are absolutely outrageous. 

Recent "wanted" items:

• Riding Lawn Mower in Good Condition
• Working Motorcycle
• Working Car
• Hand-held radios (i.e., walkee-talkees for us old folks) so people can communicate when they are at the flea market (No, I'm not kidding -- that was the reason they gave).
• Zoo tickets
• Kennywood tickets
• Alto Sax (seriously, a saxophone?)
• Stackable washer and dryer.  Not enough that you're asking for a washer or a dryer, or both, but SERIOUSLY?  Stackable?  Egad.  

The following items were all in the same request: 

• big tool box
• ab roller or something to work on my stomach and hips :-)
• adult dvd movies(especially horror and comedy)
• blender,george forman grill for inside.ones you plug in

(Is there a manual blender somewhere?  Or is she referring to the Geo. Foreman Grill?). 

I have trouble putting out an email that says "WANTED:" - let alone something that says WANTED and is a HUGE item.  

Am I wrong on this?  How do you feel?

Comments

[Jeanne B.]

I don't know that you're wrong on this. Perspective is all it is.

Let's say I was incredibly wealthy and had money to spare. My riding mower was in good shape but I've decided I want to upgrade to the Turbo 5000. I don't really need the money from the sale; I don't need the extra mower, either. Why not give it to someone who really wants/needs it and will make use out of it? At least it's not in my storage shed anymore.

From the perspective of someone who isn't rich, however, and feels funny about placing ads for "lesser" items (but equally needed), then the request for a free riding mower does sound a bit "entitled".

It's all in how you look at it, I guess, and maybe we're just the wrong audience for the ad. :-)

[sophanne]

It makes me laugh and if you happen to get what you want and someone gets rid of something they don't need- so be it. Husband says- it never hurts to ask. :)

[Jenn]

I suppose from the standpoint of "it never hurts to ask" it's fine, but asking for huge stuff (riding lawn mower? Really?) for free is absurd, in my opinion.

Maybe it's like writing a letter to Santa, only for adults.

[DPUTiger]

I certainly live under the philosophy of "it never hurts to ask," but geez. I think those examples are ones where I'd enjoy my laugh at the poster's audacity, then hit delete.

Though I do like Jenn's idea that it's a Letter to Santa for adults.

[Sarah]

Hey, people can ask for whatever they want -- that doesn't mean they're going to get it. ;-)

[Steven A.]

you know i have no shame.
let me give you my list.

[Kim]

WANTED: circus tent (must fit in small suburban yard); electric milking machine.