Yah, I agree some people just make up sob stories to get free stuff. I try to weed them out. Most people on the Freecycle here seem to be more of the type who really just want to keep it out of the land fills and let the items bless someone else. It's my new policy to ask for any items I might be wanting but not in need of on freecycle so that whenever possible I can avoid buying new and keep stuff out of the land fill. I'm honest about it though and tell people exactly why I want an item. I try to not always give to the first responder so that other people have a chance to see the post too but then it makes it harder for me. Ooh and I hate it when people no show, if I say I'm going to pick it up I always do.