I joined it last summer, but unjoined a couple of months later. The people who answered the calls for the stuff i was giving away were.......kinda not my kinda people. Like getting up at the crack of noon with a grumpy attitude people.... most of the people i know are either other alternatives or pretty dependable and honest country people, but these people from town and a different mindset. I did not think the contact was good for me or my neighbors in the little dysfunktional community i lived in. That could easily be just in my area, my situation, and i don't think it would bother everybody.

i've got a couple friends who have used freecycle...seattle area and also east LA county [suburb], all 3 cases have had no troubles using the site and exchanging goods with others.

i'd say keep it in a public forum and listen to your gut when you read the responses from people.

have gotten many things I needed, and gotten rid of many things I no longer needed, but not without trial and error. Lots of flakes, especially in the bay area. People who will say "I want your treadmill!" and then after you have posted "TAKEN: TREADMILL" will then say " Oh I dont have a car or anything....., I cant come get it"

80% of experiences have been pleasant and hassle free. Im sitting on a Freecycled couch right now. But when youre moving and need to be off the property by said date and time,and some flake freecylcer is holding you up, it can be a pain in the butt.