Free Stuff?

So I did a little people watching experiment today.  Some neighbors moved out a few houses down.  They left some furniture by the trash bins at the curb.  I added some items to the mix, photographed each piece, and put up a "curb alert" with photos on Craigslist.  I searched the "wanted" postings and anonymously called the ones that requested some free items that matched what was on the curb (I was trying to be helpful). 

At this point I had three types of freecyclers; the drive-bys, the Craigslist scourers, and the ones that posted that they needed items.  Then I sat on my porch and watched. I watched people slow down to look, people pull over and get out, some came back with vehicles to carry the items.  Some were very excited, some did not seem to see anything they wanted.  Some pulled up in their trucks, casually loaded the item of their desire and left.  Most people looked around to see if people were watching...maybe they felt guilt or shame? Did they think they were stealing? There wasn't a "free" sign on anything.  It was next to the garbage bins, though.  My bet is those are not the people who saw the items on Craigslist.  I, too, like free stuff. I also like freecycling.

I did enjoy watching people load their vehicles with smiles on their faces with such good finds.  After each item was taken to a new home, I updated the posting to let people know what remained.

There were two ladies that made me smile the most today.  They parked across the street in an apartment parking lot.  One got out first, walked over to the faux suede couch, got excited, ran back to the truck and got in. The other woman got out, did the same thing and ran back to the truck.  Then, together, the women moseyed, no sauntered nonchalantly (the way they were they could have even been whistling), over to the couch, then immediately grabbed each end and ran across the street, loaded it in the truck, and drove away quickly.  It gave me the giggles.

All the items are now in a new place where people wanted them.  The ad has been deleted.  My Sunday evening was filled with pleasure seeing people get excited over free stuff.  Now, I know there is no such thing as free, but a few things happened today: one, the stuff didn't end up in a landfill; two, some people in need got some things to help them out; and three, the only price they paid was the price of me watching people getting excited about free stuff. All of this made me happy, even if for just one evening. I don't think the price was too steep.