Alternative Economies Part 1: Putting the 'Free' Back into Free Market
Why buy something new, when you can take that thing off someone else's hands and keep it from the landfill? I will leave it to the cultural anthropologists to explain how the pendulum swing from wartime scarcity to postwar prosperity fueled the desire for new possessions.
There is selfless giving, the type where you give without expecting anything in return. This sentiment can also be cloaked in the urge to just get rid of something, whether not in use, grown out of or belonging to an ex-whatever. Thrift stores are the mecca for this, both in the sense of the taking and the providing a venue for others to discover them as treasures, but if you want to keep it local or are looking for a specific item you could try the free section of your local Craigslist. There is some sifting through the posts required and people can be amazingly quick on the draw. Think last seconds of Ebay auction quick. Another alternative is the more email based Freecycle. I suggest signing up for the digest or setting up a filter for a separate mailbox, because inundated you will become with the wanted and offer emails that members post.
The beauty of both of these venues is how it brings you in contact with people - interaction is part of the deal. The photo, courtesy of the excellent Mr. Knitsonya, is of a pachinko machine advertised on Craigslist. The owner got it down from the attic with the intention of giving it away, then her son saw it and was fascinated. She gave it to us with the condition that if we got it working, they could possibly visit so the little guy could see it in action. Having mothered some inquisitive children myself, the request didn't seem at all strange.Yes we got it working and yes he came over and very shyly tried it out.
Comments (8)
excellent, i want to come try it sometime myself.
Posted by stephanie s | May 28, 2007 10:32 PM
Posted on May 28, 2007 22:32
Ooo! Wish I lived close enough to come and play!
You do have an eye for interesting things and the imagination to use them.
Posted by EnnaVic | May 29, 2007 2:55 AM
Posted on May 29, 2007 02:55
Love, love, love this post. I'm a big fan of the Craigslist free pages (I give and I take). And you're absolutly right - the human interaction is one of the best parts of it all. Giving away our little-used portable grill to a mom and her daughter who will enjoy it in Prospect Park made me smile. So did your story - what a great exchange!
Posted by sulu-design | May 29, 2007 11:35 AM
Posted on May 29, 2007 11:35
We gave away lots of baby stuff on freecycle last year and It was so great to see the young pregnant couples in their old jalopies come and get the stuff.
Posted by Pasha Plum | May 29, 2007 2:09 PM
Posted on May 29, 2007 14:09
Great post! In this disposable economy, it is nice to be reminded of alternatives and the value of items made to last.
Posted by Maia | May 29, 2007 2:13 PM
Posted on May 29, 2007 14:13
"Why buy something new, when you can take that thing off someone else's hands and keep it from the landfill?"
Wish more of us felt this way!! Thanks for keeping the thought in our consciousness.
Those pachinko balls are great -- I love the etching.
Posted by Karen | May 31, 2007 8:48 PM
Posted on May 31, 2007 20:48
Oh my gosh. I haven't seen a pachinko machine in years. I've been thinking for a long time it would be so fascinating for the kids. I used to drive my mother nuts with it when I was little. Perhaps that's why it isn't still around? Thanks for the gentle reminder!
Posted by gena | June 2, 2007 10:55 PM
Posted on June 2, 2007 22:55
what a lovely post.
And yes I'd like to try it too!
Posted by monica | June 6, 2007 12:58 PM
Posted on June 6, 2007 12:58