Are “things” you give away worth less than if the recipient had to pay for them?

Since Friday, I’ve had a listing on a pretty well-known platform for a dining table and four matching chairs that I’m giving away....
It’s unbelievable how many people message me saying they absolutely want them, only to say at the last minute, “Actually, I only need two chairs,” or to back out at the very last minute....
  Is it worth less because you’re getting it for free? Or do people feel they don’t have to “try as hard”?
I didn’t know it was this hard to give something away……
The items for which I asked for a “small fee” are gone, despite having minor flaws…
What do you think about this? 

Hey Steffi, that sounds familiar to us.

Recently, we also had 4 chairs and a dining table listed on a Norwegian platform to give away.
First, people didn’t show up, then the next day they didn’t arrive on time for the agreed-upon appointment.
No idea why that is. But we’ve had that experience too.
So maybe you should ask for a small token after all.

Weird, isn’t it?
It really does seem as if “free stuff” has no value. In any case, it was too good to just throw away. Tomorrow I’ll make one last attempt to find someone to pick it up, and if that doesn’t work out, then I’ll get rid of it.... The time I’ve invested in this is enough.  

That’s such a shame, and I find it strange. I’d be really happy if I needed something and someone else gave it to me for free. And I’d also show up on time to pick it up. That way, both sides benefit, and the items aren’t just thrown away. I think it’s such a shame that so many things that are still in good condition are just thrown away.

I completely agree with you. I myself often go—or used to go—to flea markets, simply because there are so many beautiful secondhand items there that are just looking for a new home....
  I think if I’d asked for €10 for the table and chairs, they would’ve been picked up already. Maybe that’s what triggers the “hunting instinct” or something.
But I can’t really understand that either....

Something else just occurred to me: maybe people are also embarrassed to take something that’s been given to them. That could give the impression that they otherwise couldn’t afford it. So maybe it’s the psychological effect of “what will they think of us?”

Then just ask for a small token for the items. At least that way you won’t have to throw them away. You’ll also have a little money, and people will be happier.

A few years ago, when we were moving, we set up a separate table next to the bulky trash with various items to give away. Quite a few things were taken, and we were always very happy when someone took something. 

Well, I’m also a huge fan of reuse, flea markets, and bulky waste. My son, for example, got almost all of his children’s vehicles either from bulky waste or through eb... classifieds, and he was thrilled. Everything is in perfect condition.

We’ve also often been happy to receive gifts and have given away plenty of things ourselves, including through classifieds. But those were usually not very valuable items. It could actually be that some people are embarrassed to accept something that large as a gift.

My son has also had a nice wooden coffee table listed for a while now, and he just can’t find anyone to take it as a gift. Maybe it’s a good idea to list it for 10 euros—and you’ll see, someone will come along quickly.

Maybe it really is a “psychological” thing. …
Do you think that’s why so many people prefer to cancel “at the last minute”? 🤔
So next time, don’t give it away—actually charge a few euros. Or trade… trade a dining set for a pound of coffee…
I’ve actually picked up something “for free” myself once and then took a little flower with me as a thank-you… because it was “valuable” to me…

I’ve only had negative experiences with “giving things away”…

Everyone always comes running like vultures… only to cancel afterward or make outrageous demands…

We once had a wooden table listed for free… totally out of style, but still in perfect condition.
We were swamped with requests…
I’ll cut a long story short… after three failed pickup appointments (they probably all realized they didn’t actually want it after all and had only asked out of greed) and a message 20 minutes before the appointment (“Can you please bring the table between 3:30 and 4:00? I’m not mobile. Thanks”), we finally broke the table up and took it to the recycling center.... But as soon as you list something for 2 euros, hardly anyone responds anymore... for whatever reason

Maybe it's then too “cheap”; if someone offers it for so little, something must be wrong....
There really are strange “people”... and I find it hard enough to follow their thoughts anyway, but that was too “dubious” for me...
In any case, the whole thing had a “happy ending” for me.
He was on time, friendly, and thanked me again.
It can be that simple. 
Why so many people are so unreliable, though, I really don't quite understand...

I had a bedroom wardrobe to give away. It was actually still in very good condition (I was giving it away for personal reasons). I offered it to an acquaintance who’d moved into a bigger apartment. “Yeah, that’s fine, I can take it, but wait a bit.” The long and short of it was that he bought a wardrobe for €50 on the eb... classifieds. The thing is old, shabby, and wobbly. I wouldn’t have taken it even if it had been free.
When I asked why he didn’t take mine for free, he couldn’t or wouldn’t answer.
He had to pick up his “new pride and joy” (2 x 80 km), rent a trailer for it (€25), and find someone with a car that had a trailer hitch. And for that, he had to buy them a meal.

When I left the women’s shelter back then and was able to move into my apartment, I got a good half of my furnishings for free, and I was very grateful for that.

Another case: my neighbor had bought a pair of black jeans that she never wore. She then gave them to me so I could pass them on. I offered the jeans to a friend, saying, “They’ve never been worn, they’ve just been lying in the wardrobe.” Don’t think she took the new trousers.
She doesn’t wear “used stuff”...
Who can understand humanity?

Best regards, Marlies

I’m always really happy about my “street finds.” Around here, more and more things are being left outside people’s houses to give away.

I always find it harder when you have to go pick something up somewhere and arrange a time. That makes it a little harder for me to decide whether I want it or not.

But secondhand is always better than buying new. I save money and help the environment.

  Not long ago, a CD radio with a cassette player was sitting in front of a house. It works perfectly, and I always enjoy being able to listen to my old CDs and cassettes so easily now.

Right now, I’m offering my old bread maker for 5 euros. It’s supposed to be picked up tomorrow. I’ll let you know how it went.....

Have a lovely summer evening 

...By the way, the only people I’ve had positive experiences with so far are students.
For example, when we cleared out my great-grandmother’s apartment, we gave everything away or sold it for next to nothing...
The apartment was right next to the university, and quite a few students came by.
They were sooo grateful for the items and even took old furniture (sofa, armchairs, cabinets) that was meant for the trash.
It was great for everyone :)

So when it comes to furniture, for example, it might also be a good idea to offer it through local student groups or something like that :)

I buy a lot of secondhand stuff myself… including clothes, if they fit… why not? But there are also things that have to be new—for example, towels. Even if they look “new,” my mind just won’t go there. I only use the ones from my father-in-law for the dog.
I’ve often picked up used furniture—even as gifts—and most of it gets “refurbished”: sanded down, oiled, or painted. ...
Marlies.....I would’ve been happy to have those jeans. They were just sitting in the closet anyway—whether they’re on a shelf in a store or on a shelf in the closet. I don’t see any difference there, except that in the store, the pants are constantly being handled by someone 🙈
But maybe a lot of people don’t realize that they don’t “owe” anyone anything when they receive a gift.