How safe is freecycle?

Question

I want to try free cycle but i am not sure how safe it is

Answer 1

I use it a lot and have not had any problems. Freecycle, in case you have never heard of it, is an informal group that locally gives away items for FREE they no longer need to keep those items from filling up the local dumps by being put out with trash - outgrown clothes, unneeded furniture, unwanted electronics, left over cans of paint, etc.

Follow their common sense rules.
Don't give out your phone number in the offering listing.
Put any large items out by the curb so that no one needs to enter your house to pick them up.
If it is a small valuable item that you are giving away, meet the person either at your place of work or at another public place that you are comfortable with like the library.
Treat any people coming to pickup items as strangers and take appropriate measures as you would with any stranger.

Answer 2

I've been a member of freecycle for a long time. Rich Z. has great advice: treat fellow freecyclers as the strangers that they are.

Unfortunately, I've curtailed my use of the service quite a bit in recent months. I'd say that about 60% of the items that I post are never picked up (even when people make arrangements to pick them up). Lately, I have noticed quite a few sob stories and unrealistic wanted posts (a couple of people expect freecycle to furnish their new homes - asking for couches, a tv, tables,dishes and more in one post). Some people are using Freecycle as a shopping service (which is suppossed to be against the rules).

It is a bit frustrating if you find something someone wants and they do not show up to pick it up!

I guess that any Freecycle group is as good as its moderator. There is a website that can show you the worst of freecycle, if you are curious. It is http://ihatefreecycle.com/ This website does rate some of the best and worst Freecycle communities.

Honestly, I've had better luck with Craigslist.org.

Take Care.

Answer 3

It is just an online "yard sale" from your local area...I guess you have to use good judgement as with anything else there could be a freak out there, but it is mostly people giving away things they no longer want or need, and looking for "stuff" they would like to have.....I see a lot more people looking than giving, and you will have several offers a week for "free to a good home" on puppies and kittens. But once in a while something pops up that is worth while...if you can ask for the item before some one else pounces on it. (first ask first get). Just be sure you don't go alone when going to pick up something, and be careful who you give your phone and address out to, perhaps offer to meet in a public place to exchange..like a mall parking lot etc...

Answer 4

Before you try anything new on the Inet make sure you try one or more of these!

Free Security Analyizer:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/tools/mbsa2/default.mspx

Phishing Defense:
http://www.onguardonline.gov/phishing.html

Free Anti-virus:
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html
http://www.free-av.com/
http://www.trendmicro.com/hc_intro/default.asp
http://www.superantispyware.com/

Other Anti-virus help:
http://www.f-secure.com/v-descs/
http://www.cert.org/other_sources/viruses.html

Free Online Virus Checks:
http://onlinescan.avast.com/
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast-virus-cleaner.html
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
http://support.f-secure.com/enu/home/ols.shtml
http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner
http://us.mcafee.com/root/mfs/default.asp

Single file Scanner:
http://www.kaspersky.com/scanforvirus.html

Free Anti-Adware/Malware/Spyware protection:
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1 I recommend ewido!!!
http://www.safer-networking.org/
http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-SE-Personal-Edition/3000-8022_4-10045910.html?part=dl-ad-aware&subj=dl&tag=top5
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx
http://www.superantispyware.com/

Free Online Spyware Scan:
http://www.spywareguide.com/onlinescan.php Very good for newbies!

Free Firewall:
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/trial_zaFamily/trial_zaFamily.jsp?dc=12bms&ctry=US&lang=en&lid=zaskulist_trial
http://www.comodogroup.com/products/personalfirewall.html
Window XP SP2 Firewall Builtin

Free Popup Blockers:
Internet Explorer in windows xp has one builtin. Tools->Internet Options->Privacy->Block Pop-ups!
Firefox has many Extentions. http://www.mozilla.com I like Adblock Plus

Free Registry Repair:
http://www.ccleaner.com/
http://www.download.com/Eusing-Free-Registry-Cleaner/3000-2094_4-10561828.html?tag=lst-0-9

Then just go for it and have fun!

Bluetech - Triangle!!!!

All that we do in life is an adventure!!!!

Don't ever be afraid because you have great power to see the light.

I have seen the light of 1000 stars but none so bright as the light within!!!!!!!!!!!!