The HH was looking at free stuff on Craigslist last night {why, I couldn’t tell you, I think I’ve looked on Craigslist like 3 whole times in my entire life}. You know him, he LOVES researching {ie: wasting time on the internet}.
Anywho, he proceeded to tell me… SHOW me all the magical things you can get for free right now in Maine on Craigslist.
Free! Who wouldn’t love that? Ummmm that would be me. Well, at least for the following item.
Pray tell, would YOU be interested in the following items? Or know anyone that would? As in they would actually get in their car {in the middle of winter mind you} and pick up one of these gems?
Chalk this up to things I need to know about you.
A free toaster oven. The time stamp on the photo is 7/23/2023. Something tells me it’s time to let it go.
“Free to any leader/parent/coach/organization/group that would like to recycle these old plaques to give awards. Unscrew the metal plate and add a new one.” Thoughtful. But my guess there won’t be any takers.
Free cat scratchers. Tempting.
Free picnic tables. Hey now, that’s a good listing!
A free rooster. Someone is always giving away a rooster.
Another perennial freebie. I hope it wasn’t full.
Free stuff on Craigslist. Go get ’em tiger.
May you find what you’re looking for this weekend. Free or not.
~Mavis
Jamie says
Picnic tables for Camp Butterfield! I like them
Mrs. C. says
Mavis, didn’t he find your Weck jar haul on Craigslist?
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes! Talk about a needle in a haystack.
Linda says
The picnic tables are interesting, but not enough to pickup in the dead of winter!
We have a “free shack” at our recycling center that my husband can’t resist. A few months ago he brought home a brand new Breville 2 slice toaster & a few boxes of brand new, incredible cookbooks.
Brenda Robertson Robertson says
Wow, that is a great haul for free!
Rosemary says
I haven’t used Craigslist, but I do use the “Buy Nothing” group on Facebook for my area. I mostly give stuff away, but I do check to see if there is anything I can use. My hubby doesn’t like it when I go to meet up with a stranger, so I always choose a place that has lots of people around. I decluttered my house last year and it felt good to give away things to someone that could use them. As far as what you saw on Craigslist – I would not be interested in any of those things . . . 🙂
Jeri says
I can’t think of a time that I’ve actually met anyone face to face from Buy Nothing! Everyone here does porch pickups. I know it’s kind of against the rules set by Buy Nothing, which is to meet and connect with your community, but apparently this community isn’t into connections, lol
Linda says
On a local site I gave away a free rooster and two hens to two different women. Both wanted them so kids could learn things. Well, one woman did not have a chicken house like she said, but she took them home and kicked them across the room that night, confined them to a small cardboard box and ate them the next day.
The second woman used a shotgun on the rooster because he attacked her toddler. I don’t blame her.
You cannot trust the takers of living things.
I have received some nice things from free sites–expensive yogurt maker with little cups, karaoke machine, iron skillets, etc.
Kimberly Vassar says
That woman kicked those chickens across the room??? And then confined them to a box??? She needed to be reported. That is just terrible. As for the one shooting the rooster…what kind of fool brings an animal into the house without making sure they are toddler friendly? My heart is sad for those poor animals.
Brianna says
Free is interesting. It liberates the person who is getting rid of the item and perhaps makes them feel better about themselves and the environment, but the blessing can be the burden of someone else. I have a hubby who often ends up with free items from his work and it all becomes my burden to maintain, clean, find space for, look at, etc. It drives me crazy and I have no idea what half the stuff is. The only thing I have ever truly loved was the free label maker he brought home from work with plenty of cartridges for labels, I went to town labeling my kitchen and pantry.
He brought me home a fancy portable vacuum with attachments a few weeks ago, like I really want or need another vacuum with electronic and industrial dust. It makes me cringe. It will collect dust on its own sitting in a corner somewhere.
JC says
I would definitely take the picnic tables.
I have chickens and a rooster and have had other “chicken people ” ask me for the rooster. But “Mike Thighson” is staying here, he is great protection for the hens.
JC
Emily says
I think the key is to only take things you would have bought and have a use for. Twice in the last year our local recycle group has had just what I needed at just the right time: chairs the day before I hosted an out of town family and realized we were likely to seat them on our camp chairs and a wine vacuum as I was pondering how we were going to finish a bottle before it went bad (we’re not big drinkers but enjoy a glass now and then).
Ramona says
Few reasons people offer free items like the crusty old microwave pictured is because
1. Won’t fit into garbage can for curbside pickup and may not be allowed.
2. Taking to dump is costly
3. Second hand stores are not going to take it.
Since moving back to Washington state recently after being away for 15 years I have noticed people putting items out at the curbside for “free”. Never saw that before. Some things look decent, but why would I want a broken down couch, old tires , old microwave that was on a street I drove by often, it sat there at least a month.
What else surprises me is the neighborhoods are in areas that most have HOA’s.
I did pick up a little wading pool for grandkids so that is why I mentioned some things are decent.
Dianne says
One man’s junk is another man’s treasure. Not mine, but someone’s. LOL
FeralCat says
I wouldn’t take any of that stuff (well, maybe the picnic tables – but it would have to be worth paying someone to move them – so technically not completely free). I am generally a bit afraid to take older electrical items because of risk of fire. I won’t take pet items that can’t be disinfected with bleach, because I worry about the risk of spreading communicable diseases to my cats. As an aside note: I have found a few free items on Craigslist that have been in good shape and were exactly what I was looking for. I have always offered to pay something for these items, because I have found that nice items that are underpriced or free tend to attract a lot of interest.
Cindy Brick says
Mavis, ask your husband if anybody died on these things…especially the picnic table. I’m dying to know what he says! (smirk)
During our recent move, we did get a nice table and four chairs thrown in, when we bought a leather couch. (They were asking $100, but took $50.) The chairs need to be covered, but it won’t be difficult.
We’re looking for a queen bed “free,” preferably with mattress. Armoires are easy to find for free in the Denver area right now. (Must not be currently in style.) I used to spend more time on Craigslist, but FB Marketplace is offering a lot more, and at very reduced prices.
Tiffany F says
Nope! Nothing but the picnic tables. Those I would definitely go out for.
We have picked up the occasional free item, but only when we’ve been looking for something specific, not because we were just browsing and thought “hey, I want that”.
Kippy says
I’ve rarely used Craigslist to buy stuff but will occasionally look in the garage sale section to see if there will be a sale in the neighborhood. Curbside finds are another thing. I’ve put stuff at the curb and it disappears and also I’ve found great stuff while out walking dogs. Best stunt was walking home with with my two standard poodles and carrying an antique solid oak nightstand.
Amanda says
Oh ! That must have been a sight to see! Makes me smile!
Stacey says
My daughter lives on a military base, and curb alerts are part of normal life. I’m not allowed to set things out on the curb here in our apartment complex, so I bring them down there when we visit. They usually get snatched straight up! It’s a great way to pass things along to others when you don’t know who will need them.
Sarah says
You never know what people might be looking for, I would rather see an attempt to give something a new life than straight to the landfill! One person’s trash is another one’s treasure, so who are we to judge?
Patti says
We have a “Give (City) site on Facebook that I love. It has allowed me to get rid of things directly to someone who wants or needs them. I would not hesitate to take things I could use. It is a great way to declutter and know someone is looking for the item you have. So far I have given away a medical pillow (wedge) that was huge but needed when I had hip surgery, some of my sons cars and trucks from when he was little, books, and Christmas decor.
Kathy Wolfe says
Those jars you got were a one in a life time find.
Mavis Butterfield says
I think so too!
Tammy says
Out of curiosity, I looked at the free listings on craigslist for my area. Someone had a picture of two large (living) trees – they are free, “you cut, you haul”. LOL I guess what they’re looking for is free tree service. If that would work, I have a tree in my yard that needs to come down. I’d love for it to be done for free.
I personally wouldn’t want any of the listings you showed, but I can see that someone might take them and be able to use them. The rooster will probably make a nice dinner for someone.
Sue says
I used to be a big fan of Craigslist, but it’s gone way downhill in terms of usefulness. The interface changed for the worse, the Search function is completely useless, and there are way too many scammy posts.
I searched for a “coat tree” and got a zillion ads for motorcycles. Huge problem. HUGE.