I've been very active in FreeCycle for a couple of years, both on the giving and receiving ends. First of all, be sure that you're dealing with "the real thing": www.freecycle.org -- because there's a knock-off .com group that I know nothing about. I give items by leaving them on my front porch (protected from street view and up 11 steps) or behind the house (on a bench; we have no fence). I put a Post-It with the person's given name on the bag/box/object. No one has taken anything that wasn't authorized. I have met very few people face-to-face, whether as a donor or recipient. When I pick items up, I usually pick them up from someone else's steps or porch or bushes. It depends on what they've specified. They usually put my name on it. And I live in the Bay Area, very near Berkeley, where many "odd ducks" live. I haven't experienced or (to my knowledge) created any FreeCycle problems. I only give my house address to a selected recipient and I almost never give my phone number. I have been given many others' phone numbers, but tend not to call unless there's a logistical question relating to time of pick-up or something. With over 400 groups and 4 million people worldwide (as of August 2007), it must be working for a lot of us. Try it with a couple of low-value items first. Do NOT tell recipients whether you'll be home or not. Do NOT tell your neighbors that you're "FreeCycling" something. DH and I have also just wanted to give stuff way without doing the FreeCycle thing and have put them out by the sidewalk with the "FREE" sign. They've all disappeared, with no unfortunate side effects: my roses were unmolested, etc. in el cerrito

People are so awesome. I posted on Freecycle yesterday that Keith's SIL (I've talked about her before) is trying to lose weight too. She has PCOS and is IR and is hoping to conceive in the not so distant future. She needs to lose at least 100lbs. Anyway, her doctor wants her to start walking more, but with winter coming up, she was worried about how she'd get her exercise in. She can't afford to buy a treadmill right now. So, anyway, I posted this on Freecycle, and I got a reply today. Someone is giving us a stairmaster and a stationary bike. Can you believe it? How awesome is that. At first, I was a little aprehensive about posting this for Shanna, because sometimes she gives up on things too easily. And I can just see this equipment sitting in a room getting no use. But, I'm making her PROMISE that if she doens't end up using it, she'll let me know and I'll come get them and I'll use them. :-)

Karen, thanks for your generous offer of advice on Ebay Selling! When I get it together a bit better, I'll be contacting you for sure. I have threatened for 5 years to sell on it, but just haven't gotten set up with PayPal mainly, plus the other thing I sorta worry about is doing that first Check Out, I'd hate to screw that up! I have a score of 100 and have made purchases exactly 100 times since 2002, but have never sold yet, but at least I'm established well enough for buyers to "trust" me ... do they dare lol. The main thing that is preventing me now is that I'm not organized enough to run it properly as a small business. I really want to keep up with my profits (hopefully no losses!). My daughter is moving very soon, and all her furniture that is filling up my basement, and causing me to be unable to get to my stuff, will finally get moved. They are in the process of looking at houses now. Should be out of here soon, but in a nearby neighborhood! I can't wait to get my bathroom and bedroom back again! It's been 6 months now. Thanks again Karen ~tenderlee

I hope you all had fun!