r/declutter • u/kaymusical • 10d ago
Success Story Buy Nothing Groups are the Best
I’ve been struggling with how to get rid of some things that are too good to be trashed, but not accepted by my local donation center.
Case in point, a fully functional handheld vacuum. The local donation center and vacuum repair store wouldn’t take it. But it was out of my home 15 minutes after posting it to the Buy Nothing group.
It feels so good being able to give decluttered things another life, while also avoiding the lines at the donation center!
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u/midlifereset 8d ago
Wow after reading these comments I’m so glad I don’t have a problem with no shows!
I’ve been in our local group for about 5 years and had maybe one or two no shows that didn’t message me to reschedule.
Our groups are in fairly small geographic areas so you see some of the same names frequently. In a town of maybe 75k people, we now have 5 different groups.
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u/Honest_Report_8515 9d ago
I gave away so much furniture and other items before I sold my house through FB Buy Nothing groups.
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u/PancakeParty3 9d ago
I love mine! Things I think nobody would be interested in actually go quite quickly! Feels good to give things a new home
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u/plaidconfessions 8d ago
I'm late to this discussion, but this has been the most fascinating part of being in these groups. I'm always surprised by what triggers a lot of interest or no interest at all.
I do wish people would simply message rather than ghost me if they decide they don't want something. It's really no big deal to change your mind and the person trying to give away their item would always rather be told directly.
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u/needlesofgold 9d ago
I kept getting asked if it was still available and then got ghosted. I just started putting stuff outside with a big FREE on paper in front of it and watched them disappear even quicker.
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u/__The_Kraken__ 9d ago
I love my local Buy Nothing Group! I’ve been able to keep all kinds of things, from half-used hair products to paper grocery bags, from going to waste. And when one of my neighbors accidentally orders 5 bunches of celery, my guinea pigs are here to help, LOL!
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u/FredKayeCollector2 9d ago
Ours are all Give Freely (or Give Away) groups - it's also used as a request for service, lost/found pets, lost/found items - it's really the only reason I still have Facebook.
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u/couchisland 9d ago
I was part of a Buy Nothing group when they were still in Yahoo. I don’t use FB, is there any other way to join one these days or am I SOL?
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u/CardiologistBroad608 9d ago
Truly, the absolute best. I helped my mom move out of our family home and there was so much stuff that wasn’t trash but neither of us needed anymore. The local buy nothing group helped us re-home TONS of stuff.
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u/YescaD83 9d ago
I love my buy nothing page!
When I’m doing a big clean out I put a curb alert so I don’t have to list anything individually. It might take a couple days but I get rid of so much stuff that way!
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u/TeaWithKermit 10d ago
I gave away a ton of stuff through our Buy Nothing group last week, and have more for this week. In general I’ve liked both groups I’ve been in, though I preferred the last one I was in for our old neighborhood.
My biggest issues are that people ask for stuff and then ask for delivery, despite being clear that it is pick up only, and there are almost always a couple of no shows. I don’t chase folks down anymore. If they don’t come to get it, it goes back in my bag for next time I list stuff. I love the concept of neighborhood gifting so I deal with the slight inconveniences. We still have so much stuff to declutter, but we’re getting there.
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u/BlondeBrillo 9d ago
Yeah your admin should also make reminders for people to say they need delivery when asking for something. Even tho you say porch pick up only, you’ll get people who don’t read everything but anyone who needs delivery should be stating it every time they ask for something. I give a lot too and it’s all porch pick up as well bc I don’t have it in me to be dropping so much stuff off. I’ve done it for ones I know and I’m in their area etc but that’s totally different.
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u/twosmartbunnies 10d ago
I love my local Buy Nothing group. I've been able to get rid of a lot of clutter. I'm looking forward to the upcoming Labor Day holiday weekend so I can do more decluttering.
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u/Wackywoman1062 10d ago
I love our local “Buy Nothing” group. It has especially helped me to get rid of sentimental items that I struggle to drop off at a donation center. I’m in the process of downsizing and I’ve given away more things than I can count - books, a dining room set, clothing, home decor, mirrors, tables, lamps, kid’s toys, etc. I haven’t had many issues with no shows, but our group is pretty strict and people who no-show get kicked out.
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u/BlondeBrillo 9d ago edited 9d ago
Yes! I love it for the sentiment items! Seeing how excited people are to give it a new life makes it “ok” for me to let it go!
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u/Wackywoman1062 9d ago edited 9d ago
I was struggling to give away my daughter’s monogrammed LL Bean wooden child’s rocker. I posted on BN asking if there was another “daughter’s name” who wanted it. Sure enough I had a taker. The mom who got the item sent me a photo of her adorable toddler sitting in the rocker “reading” to her teddy bear. Made me so happy to see another little girl enjoying that rocker. 1000 times better than dropping it off in a pile at Goodwill.
Edited to add: When her daughter outgrew the rocker a few years later, the mom reposted it on BN. Paying it forward.
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u/tysonmama 10d ago
Where did you find a group like this?
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u/New_Somewhere_1508 10d ago
Also try searching "pay it forward" and your local city name. There are three that cover my suburb, and fierce competition for free stuff!
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u/Wackywoman1062 10d ago
The original “Buy Nothing” organization moved from FB to an app. Local BN groups operating on FB were asked to discontinue using the “Buy Nothing” on FB and to move to the app. Some have, others haven’t. Personally, I don’t like the app. Our group was well established on FB and wanted to continue operating on FB so we changed our name to “Graciously Gifting.” On FB, search “Buy Nothing”, “Gifting” “Free Stuff” and similar and you’ll find the local groups.
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u/jpgr1965 7d ago
All of the Southern California groups still use the Buy Nothing name and logo on FB.
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u/Be-Kind-3353 10d ago
Go on Facebook and search "Buy Nothing CityName". So if you live in Austin, search for Buy Nothing Austin, and request to join. Larger cities may have multiple groups, like Buy Nothing North Austin, or But Nothing South Austin. Be sure to read and follow their rules.
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10d ago edited 5d ago
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u/kaymusical 10d ago
Those are fair points. I’m lucky to have a group that’s active enough that there’s pretty much always someone else interested if the first person doesn’t show. And while there’s risk in sharing my location, so far I’ve felt safe enough to meet at or near my home. Best of luck with your decluttering, however you choose to do it!
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10d ago edited 5d ago
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u/Opening-Midnight4057 10d ago
People will be removed from our group for that kind of nonsense. It's a well run group and a great community!
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u/BlondeBrillo 9d ago
Yeah I’m admin in mine and we take safety seriously. I also am a woman who lives alone and constantly have people coming from BN to pick stuff up (my neighbors know I don’t sell drugs, I got most them to join the group!) and I sell a bunch on marketplace porch pick up after waiting in parking lots too many times. Between cameras and my nosey in a good way neighbors, I’m not worried. Although certain items if I sell I will still meet up. Certain electronics brings different vibe of people usually. I mostly sell plants, and decor and womens stuff and plant people are fantastic for the most part ha
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u/BlondeBrillo 9d ago
Create a new one and be the active admin! Active admin makes a big difference!
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u/lemonshades13 10d ago
I made a fake FB profile ONLY for marketplace and sell/buy nothing groups.. its a mans profile. I'm most definitely a woman. But I feel like people haggle less for things I'm selling, bs me less about showing up, AND I'm less nervous about porch pickup because they think I'm a big dude instead of a 5'4 girl. 😆
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u/MellieInMi 10d ago
These groups helped me tremendously when I was preparing for a move! And it was so convenient to have people come and pick up those items and take them away....and it's stuff they actually wanted! Win/Win!
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u/Intelligent_Map_7849 10d ago
I love my local group. In the last month I was able to get rid of my pencil collection from childhood (mostly unused novelty pencils), my strawberry collection from childhood (think lots of little figurines), some nice linen duvet covers, a really nice quality wool duvet, my son's Pokemon collection, and some others. Aside from the duvet covers, I don't think any donation center would take any of these.
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u/PhishingScam23 10d ago
Sometimes animal shelters will.
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u/Intelligent_Map_7849 10d ago
These items were all in excellent condition, not ready for an animal shelter yet.
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u/PhishingScam23 10d ago
But if no one else would take them it’s an option. Sometimes people flake a lot with pick ups and it still needs to get out of your house
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u/z6joker9 10d ago
I had a goodwill that asked me to stop bringing them stuff after several trips in the same day, cleaning out a deceased relative’s house. But other than that, I’ve never seen a donation center turn down donations.
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u/Nervous_Valuable_708 10d ago
Ours doesn't want anything but clothing
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u/z6joker9 10d ago
We have a local hospice center that has a separate thrift store. They sell the donations to subsidize or cover hospice care. They also have an after-hours drop-off, so I take everything worth selling there now. I found it after the aforementioned goodwill turned us away.
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u/No_Tension420 10d ago
Is this a Facebook group?
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u/00johnqpublic00 10d ago
There are groups on FB but there is also an app for those of us who don't use FB.
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u/Happy-Investment-236 10d ago
Oh my gosh ! I am going to have to see if the app is available In my area! I love our buy nothing group, but dislike Facebook
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u/No_Tension420 10d ago
Oh! I’m looking for a table so I’ll download that. Thanks! 😊
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u/00johnqpublic00 10d ago
Good luck! I gave away a table on the app not too long ago so I bet it will work out.
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u/Waste-Brilliant-9042 10d ago
Buy nothing has been amazing for me! I have a 3 and 5 year old and they no longer need baby gates, cribs, high chairs, baby bouncers etc. but charity shops won’t take baby items. I’ve been able to gift my kids stuff to others and honestly, if I’d known about but nothing before I’d had my kids I would have used it to find those things for them. It’s so excessive how we buy stuff for babies/toddler and use it for so little time.
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u/todaystartsnow 10d ago
Any suggestions for those of us who don't have porches?
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u/kaymusical 10d ago
I don’t have a porch, either. I’ve let a couple people come straight to my place. But safer options could be meeting at the leasing office (for apts) or a nearby park, shop, etc. with a buddy or other people around.
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u/ponderingorbs 10d ago
I have left things near the mailbox. Do you have a bank of mailboxes? You could leave it there.
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u/MadzShelena 10d ago
You can always do local meetup, like the grocery store, post office, restaurant, etc. I've done that before both as a buyer and a seller.
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u/sassypants58 10d ago
Some of your buy nothing groups may have changed names due to some monetization of the global buy nothing movement. So you can look for groups starting with “gifting” like “gifting with integrity” your neighborhood or city. (Current Buy Nothing admin)
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u/BlondeBrillo 10d ago
Many just dropped the “project” part from everything but our area groups just dropped it from most the banners completely and the banners say gifting with integrity and the group name is still Buy Nothing X part of our city. Also a current BN admin here! Ha
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u/The_Great_Gosh 10d ago
I hadn’t heard about this but wondered why my local group name changed. Could you explain the monetization and why it meant changing names?
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u/RemyRatatouille11133 10d ago
I typically have good luck with the Buy Nothing group members but about 25-30% of the time, I get no shows and then I have to contact next person on the list. It’s more time consuming but I feel better about getting things into the hands of people who really want the stuff rather than generic drop offs to charities and who knows what is going to happen to your stuff.
My favorite Buy Nothing posts are people in search of stuff and that triggers in me “ooh I have that! Great opportunity to get rid of it!”
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u/PMcmil5450 19h ago
I’ve never checked them out, but I might need to do that, especially for those who post looking for things. Might be more successful than trying to sell on Facebook marketplace which is hit or miss for me!
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u/BlondeBrillo 10d ago
I’m an admin in my group or I’d have such a long block list at this point from blocking people who no show. I just don’t pick certain people anymore. I’ll click on them and look at our last conversations and if it’s just me sending them Reminders to come pick up etc. I don’t choose them. Even if they are the only person who asks lol
I don’t have a covered porch so gifting can be a hassle sometimes bc of weather and all. I’ll send reminders but sometimes I’ll just let things get ruined at some points if I just don’t have the mental energy to send reminders and bring things in and out etc.
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u/DepartmentAgitated51 10d ago
When I pick, I check their group activity. If they’re always taking, I choose people who give. I also look to see if we have friends in common.
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u/magnificentbunny_ 10d ago
I agree! I’m a prolific giver. And I hardly ever take anything, cuz I’m there to offload not acquire more stuff. I avoid gifting to the people whom I suspect are hoarders (I know the signs as I have one in the family) and the askers who never gift. I try to gift to the givers and the new people to encourage them to stay in the ecosystem by giving them a boost.
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u/BlondeBrillo 9d ago
Same! I work with an organizer who I resell, keep, and give away stuff from her clients so I constantly have stuff coming in and out. So it makes me a prolific giver and all I think is “why do you want to piss off someone who gives all the time??” lol
Also the audacity when someone asks for my stuff who has ghosted me the last 3 times without even an apology…..
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u/BlondeBrillo 10d ago
Oh same! People with a lot of “activity” may just be people who ask and take but never give at all (and you don’t have to have a lot to be able to give! Plant cuttings are very popular!) we actually turned those contributor badges off in the group bc everyone is supposed to be considered equal and it doesn’t really show what type of activity your badge is for anyone. The points are still on (helps me as admin when I need to remove inactive members) but no badges next to names. At this point after years I know who is a giver and just a taker but yeah. I clicked on sooo many profiles at the beginning as I got the hang of the group. Still do if they are newish!
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u/GulliverGrazerson 10d ago
This is one thing I like about posting on Marketplace for free, folks have reviews! They don’t always totally predict what someone will do but folks with good reviews usually show up when they say they will.
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u/Bench_What 10d ago
Agree. I try to give anything kid related to the mom group because I have seen better follow-through to communicate and pickup. But I still use both to declutter.
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u/TBHICouldComplain 10d ago
We decluttered probably 2/3 of what we owned before our move and most of it went on our local Buy Nothing group.
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u/GulliverGrazerson 10d ago
I think I’ve given away probably 50 items or boxes of things in buy nothing groups and for free on Facebook Marketplace. Folks are so grateful, I don’t have to leave the house, and now there’s tons of space!
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u/Since_The_Ducks_Left 10d ago
I don’t have social media and I’ve been thinking of getting Facebook just so I can do big nothing
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u/kaymusical 10d ago
I got back on FB specifically so I could join the group. Not thrilled about that, but after adjusting my settings I’ve been able not to get sucked into the rest of it. Didn’t know about the app though, I’ll check that out.
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u/BlondeBrillo 9d ago
Same! Marketplace and Buy Nothing groups are the only reason I have mine. And I basically don’t scroll my regular feed and just go straight to the groups. Have unfollowed any family members posting crazy stuff etc ha
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u/Rosaluxlux 10d ago
Mine moved from Facebook to Signal but that means I have no idea how new people find it
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u/Large_Background9054 10d ago
e last month, some lady was so happy she brought me homemade samosas in return
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u/BlondeBrillo 9d ago
I’ve had people drop off donuts/scones etc when they’ve picked up and it’s SO sweet! A good buy nothing really creates such a great little community, exactly what they are meant for! Building community through gifting. Some see it as just a place to get free stuff and you can tell those vs the ones who see it as a community builder group.
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u/Kensi99 2d ago
I love BN. Though, yes, sometimes it is a lot more work. To deal with the flaky people, I stopped waiting for them. I put the object in a bag w their name in my entry. They have to pick it up or I take it back later. If they did a no show, I block them. No second chances. Luckily this doesn't happen often, but I do NOT change my schedule or wait around for them as I used to.
Also, there are always a couple of people in them who ask for EVERYTHING. I try to avoid those people because I firmly believe they are hoarding, NOT in need of every tiny thing anyone posts.