Craigslist "Free" section.

coreybv

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Feb 20, 2012
Messages
140
Over the years I've always kept an eye on the "free" section on Craigslist, and I've made a few really cool scores. Just picked up a nice Craftsman shopvac a few weeks ago.

But for every "score", I've noticed that there are roughly five hundred ads that seem to offer something for free, but actually mean something else. A few of my favorite recurring themes:

"Free firewood" -- I've got this dead tree in my yard and the city sent me a notice that I have to remove it. Tree service wants a thousand bucks. How about you come do it for nothing?

"Free walnuts" -- Holy crap my yard is a mess! Can you come clean it up for me?

"Free puppies. Great with children" -- Pit bull / doberman / rottweiler mix. Only slightly abused, might bite a little but shouldn't draw too much blood.

"Free kittens" -- What? It costs 30 bucks to get a cat fixed? What a ripoff!

Any other good recurring themes?
 

AK_Chappy

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May 25, 2003
Messages
1,357
Re: Craigslist "Free" section.

I love the ones that list "I have an entire garage full of stuff I need to get rid of. It is free, BUT YOU MUST TAKE IT ALL!"
Like I want a full garage worth of junk, there might be two things in there worth getting. :)

AK Chappy
 

tomdinwv

Senior Chief Petty Officer
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Jun 22, 2008
Messages
665
Re: Craigslist "Free" section.

I look at the "free stuff" on CL almost daily. One of my favorites is the "free" dogs or cats with a "rehoming" fee. They want you to pay $20 or more for an animal they are trying to give away so, in their words, they know you're serious.
 

ajgraz

Lieutenant Commander
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Mar 1, 2010
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1,858
Re: Craigslist "Free" section.

Around here many species of palm will invasively take root, and they are a B***H to dig out, especially if you let them get more than a couple feet tall--which does not take very long.

There are always plenty of "free palm tree, you dig" ads.
 

coastalrichard

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Re: Craigslist "Free" section.

Around here many species of palm will invasively take root, and they are a B***H to dig out, especially if you let them get more than a couple feet tall--which does not take very long.

There are always plenty of "free palm tree, you dig" ads.

uuuuuummmmmm....I've got one of those in my yard:eek:
 
Joined
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Messages
1,058
Re: Craigslist "Free" section.

We have lots of free palm trees and other landscaping-you remove it and it's yours. Pavers are available for free as well...usually a picture of a patio full of them that says, "you remove and they are yours!" Also, free dirt, rocks, and the occasional garage full of...stuff. One was a FREE Norfolk Pine, 35 feet tall. You remove it and get to keep the wood...great for building a boat.
 

minuteman62-64

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1,350
Re: Craigslist "Free" section.

On the other hand, I've had good luck getting rid of stuff that I didn't want/have room for but didn't feel right throwing away (still usable, good for parts, etc.). Usually the phone starts ringing about 5 minutes after placing the ad and the stuff is gone within an hour. Examples: old (1980's) metal gas tanks, some with gas still inside (gas maybe 1990's vintage), 20 year old 2 stroke oil, 1980's flasher type depth sounder, used garbage grinder from kitchen remodel. A lot of the stuff around here probably ends up in Tijuana.
 

rivermouse

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 16, 2011
Messages
661
Re: Craigslist "Free" section.

I saw one that said "free large screen tv' may need minor repair"// This means they have a busted 20 year old tv that weighs 400lbs in their UPSTAIRS bedroom and expect you to come and remove the thing for free. I had a large 3 car metal carport that I had to remove to clear the spot for my garage. I offered it for free to anyone who would come and disasemble it . I got plenty of offers and the guy I gave it to worked like hell for 2 days taking it apart so he could put it back together. His wife wanted it to make the top for a horse shelter.I was lucky to get ride of it for nothing.
 

coreybv

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Feb 20, 2012
Messages
140
Re: Craigslist "Free" section.

It is free, BUT YOU MUST TAKE IT ALL!"

Like I want a full garage worth of junk, there might be two things in there worth getting. :)

I've always wondered what would happen if I showed up and cherry picked the good stuff and left the rest behind.

I suppose, technically, the ad does create a contract of some sort, but really, is someone posting an ad like that going to go hire a lawyer and enforce it?
 

BuzzStPoint

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
May 27, 2009
Messages
1,003
Re: Craigslist "Free" section.

I had a nice locking internet cabinet. about the size of a phone booth. big fan on top, 2 doors and an old computer system inside. Plus some other computer parts and accessories.

I put it on in the free section. within 20 minutes someone was by taking a look at it.. he shoved it on top of his minivan and tried to tie it down with bailing twine...
I gave him some ratchet straps and told him if he's in the area sometime just pop them in the mailbox.

Next day I come home from work. Here is this cabinet in my driveway. with the cabinet striped of all electrical and components..
I was pissed.. Later I realized, he dropped off the cabinet, but not my ratchet straps....
Damn.......
 

lakelover

Rear Admiral
Joined
Mar 26, 2003
Messages
4,386
Re: Craigslist "Free" section.

Yup, I notice around here it's mostly old huge TV's that may or may not work (worked 10 years ago when last used!), and so, so much free firewood that has a picture of a tree, either standing or cut down lying in a yard. :D Oh yeah, and stuff that needs "3 strong men" to move it.

Mostly the FREE stuff is junk, but I've seen some pretty good stuff, just missed out on a nice computer speaker system with subwoofer, and I inquired only about an hour after it was listed. I think some folks pretty much stay on the free stuff page constantly.
 

lakelover

Rear Admiral
Joined
Mar 26, 2003
Messages
4,386
Re: Craigslist "Free" section.

There are a LOT of these too:

I have an old, large deck that I am no longer using. If you are interested in coming and taking the wood, please respond to this post. Picture attached.

deck.jpg
 

BlkY2k

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ready4lake

Petty Officer 3rd Class
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Jan 26, 2012
Messages
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Re: Craigslist "Free" section.

I have seen people post free tires. The description usually says all sizes of tires and a picture of a big stack of tires in the woods. Then at the end it says none of them are good. They need to just make a new section on craigslist called "Hull my s**t away for free". Someone has to be picking this crap up though, because the posts are never on there very long.
On the other hand I got my hands on some good stuff too. I have even had a couple free cars that I just haulled to the scrap yard and made a few bucks.
 

R Socey

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 9, 2011
Messages
501
Re: Craigslist "Free" section.

There are a LOT of these too:

I have an old, large deck that I am no longer using. If you are interested in coming and taking the wood, please respond to this post. Picture attached.

View attachment 141712
Been there done that - free trex decking. We spent all weekend taking apart a deck, and gazebo. The stuff was water logged, and heavy as hell. After we loaded it and drug it - heaviest load I ever drug. We unloaded it, and my buddies neighbor complained about the pile - he has 3.5 acres? Anyway he had to move the whole pile but he later sold it. Free scares me!
 

64osby

Admiral
Joined
Jul 28, 2009
Messages
6,799
Re: Craigslist "Free" section.

I have seen people post free tires.

I had 28 junk tires that were in the beds of two abandoned pick ups. I was scraping the trucks and the junk yard told me they would cost $8.00 per for them to take. I hauled them out to the street and 2 days later only 4 were left. Didn't even have to post on CL. I would not have put a single one on any vehicle or trailer.
 

lakelover

Rear Admiral
Joined
Mar 26, 2003
Messages
4,386
Re: Craigslist "Free" section.

Somebody's got a sense of humor, this one is up today:

http://albany.craigslist.org/zip/2972339031.html

Giving them credit! (Anywhere)

Date: 2012-05-12, 9:02AM EDT

Reply to: see below

While your considering how the hell to clean your place ya come upon an idea!
I'll put it on Graigslist!!
thinking your a genius, you post useful items like....
>taking the pieces of rotted railroad ties
>taking the chunks of concrete labeled "rocks"
>grabbing the sticks, brush and old fence around the yard for "kindling"
>loading pieces of sheetrock that some sap may be able to piece together while using an entire bucket of compound, of which you have non left
>and oh yes! several pieces of fragrent sewer pipe for you scrappers!!
and if we're lucky it will be posted as a curb alert so we can play Nascar on the way over hoping we'll be first on site!!!
AND HEY.......take it all and be ***** neat!!!)
remember.....laughter is the best medicine!!!!!!!!!
have a GREAT day!!!!
 
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