I've got it all down to a tee - and it's free

No doubt about it in my mind any more: Freecycling works great.  If you want to jump full into the stream of material goods constantly moving hand-to-hand through this society without the hassle of yard sales and church bazaars and Craigslist or the messiness of cash exchanges, this is an excellent way to do it.

Austin certainly seems to think so.  As of today our Freecycle list-serv numbers over 13,500 members.  However you want to look at it, that’s a f*** of a lot of people pitching in for a city this size.  

This morning, items being offered include: stuffed animals; women’s clothing sizes s/m and size 6 shoes; DVD player; older model fax; satchel; 6x9 storage shed; futon frame; and cantaloupe plants.  All you have to do is show up and get the item you want when you say you’re going to.

In the past month I’ve used the Freecycle list to place a friend’s VCR, a stack of futons, and a microwave oven: all perfectly serviceable, just no longer needed.  A lot of unserviceable items get placed too, as the list seems to be a good resource for people dedicated to fixing things.

The list has grown to the point where “wanted” item posts almost equal the “offer”s in number.  When I first signed up the “wanted” posts bothered me: I think it was the residue of my “take what you’re given, shut up and be thankful” conditioning that was offended.  But now I’m guessing that people wouldn’t do it so much if it didn’t work.  Hell, that’s how I got rid of my old Powerbook a few years back.  Responding to a “wanted” post is the best way to make sure a person truly appreciates your goods.  The tendency to grab something just because it’s there is too strong in us Pavlovian-trained consumers – even Freecyclers - to be easily discounted.

And a couple of days ago I tried it myself, asking on the list for a cat-carrier. Which is how I came last night into the possession of a small but perfectly-good box in which to haul Sadie to the vet this weekend.  I was surprised how quickly I got a response.  “I’ve got two cats myself,” the person wrote.  “I’m glad to give the carrier to a good home.”

It’s also a good way to make friends.  That’s how I met my neighbor four doors down.  We need some kind of community we’re not getting otherwise, it appears.