Shop junk can be your junk! Cheap!

[John Keeton]

Cleaned out a bunch of junk and had it in a bucket to throw out. While at the dumpster I decided someone may want this stuff - I have no idea why. But, in any event, I think I can shove all of this in a $10.35 flat rate box, and if you will send me a check for $15 to cover the shipping and aggravation this junk can be your junk If you want to PayPal, make it $16.

Or, if nobody wants it, I will make another trip to the dumpster! It ain't goin' back in the shop. OTOH, I won't take less because it would be easier to throw it out than make two trips to the PO to get a box and then go back to mail it.

[Richard Dooling]

This is decent of you John. I can remember - oh what a memory - being very young and desperately in need of cheap tools. I am sure someone here is in need today. Free to a good home. This has me thinking. . .

.

[Wilbur Pan]

What the heck is that orange thing? It looks like something you would use to make uneven sized French fries.

[John Keeton]

Hey Wilbur, that "orange thing" is one of those plastic "screw it to the wall, and hang all your screwdrivers and chisels in it" things. That is what a lot of the junk was on/in. I threw away the dozen or so old screwdrivers of all makes and sizes.

[Mike Wellner]

Looks like you got a flaring kit there

[John Keeton]

Mike, I have no idea where that came from and pretty sure I have never used it! I used to go to a lot of Friday night auctions, and the "box and contents" sale was my weakness. Found a few good things over the years, and ended up with odds and ends for which I had no use. Most of those were sold over the years at garage sales. Many years ago, I used to live on one of the most traveled streets in town. All I had to do was drag out the tables on Saturday morning, and I had instant lookers. I spent most Saturday mornings with a cup of coffee, the morning paper, and my junk! It was kind of fun, and I got to meet a lot of people. It even made going to the "night before" auctions more fun - and profitable!

[Kenneth Hertzog]

John
Sent you a PM
ken

[John Keeton]

I had a member (non contributor) PM me during the night. He has been out of work, but is starting a new job. He wanted me to wait until Monday. I PMd him and said if he would contribute $6 to SMC, and pay me $9, I would ship the stuff to him.

I also have a backup from Ken, so one way or the other, it sounds like it is spoken for.

[Chris Harry]

Funny! My dad and I had that exact same ratchet/socket set, we threw it in our "trip to the junkyard" bucket to pull parts off of junked cars.

The set lasted a surprisingly long time!

[John Keeton]

Apparently this thread is offensive to some. I normally do not like to see these things played out in public, but I wanted to post the content of a PM I received (without disclosing the identity), and my response. If I have offended others, my apologies.

This was the PM - from a member (non-contributor) -

"you cheap son of a gun
You've got a bunch of junk there; why not just GIVE it to someone. you could have given someone the option of picking it up---ie,no cost to you---rather than throwing it in the garbage. And you would have done a good deed as well!
Then there's the poor soul who lost his job and you're still trying to squeeze blood out of a stone. I'll contribute the $6 and pay the shipping to this poor guy; let him have it. (signed)"

And, this was my reply -

"(Name), first I appreciate your PM. It is always good to hear from another creeker. If this post/thread has offended you, then I apologize. Other than a friend of mine locally who would have no interest in this junk, the only other SMC members/contributors live at least 30 minutes, if not more, from my location. The time and money spent to pick this stuff up just doesn't seem to be worth that.

On the other hand, I thought I was doing someone a favor by posting as I did. Perhaps the easiest thing to do would have been simply discard this stuff. Believe me, fooling with a post/thread, packing it, and shipping it, is hardly a profit oriented situation.

I do notice that while offering to contribute the $6 for the individual, you have been a "member" since 2003, but apparently have not taken the opportunity to contribute for yourself. I would encourage you to do so. As you know, SMC is a tremendous resource for all, and it deserves contribution from those of us that utilize this great forum.

More to the point, however, on your PM. I give generously in various ways, including through my church. While I do not necessarily perceive SMC as a charitable situation, I merely posted the offer, and quickly received a PM from an individual that asked me to hold the items, if I would, and he would send the $15 on Monday. In an effort to help him, and SMC, I made the offer that I indicated in my previous post. Apparently, that has not set well with you, and has caused you to somehow view me as greedy and/or a cheapskate. That is unfortunate, but as one often hears, "No good deed goes unpunished."

To you, and to others, I again apologize for offending.

John"

[Jeff Mohr]

I for one was not offened and actually would be more than happy to pay $15 for "junk" if it was something I wanted/needed. Post away I say.

[Guy Belleman]

John, your post was good. I have some stuff that I might just do the same thing with, as I would prefer my trash to be recycled, rather than enter the landfill.

Having endured some of this same type of socialistic mentality, where some folks feel I should just give away old items, I avoid selling my stuff, or least giving it away while charging only the packaging and postage. I also hate yard sales. So my, and my wife's, solution over the last 10 years has been to just give it all to a thrift shop.

[John Keeton]

Guy and Jeff, I appreciate the comments. I have a very close friend whose wife operates a community thrift shop. I donate all our used clothing to them. However, the problem I have in giving this type of stuff is that I have seen them, out of lack of space and necessity, dump hundreds of items in the trash. They do not have the time, nor knowledge, to sort the good stuff from the garbage. Mostly, they keep the household items to assist people in everyday living - lamps, small appliances, etc.

This effort was just an attempt to permit someone else an opportunity to use some of this stuff that I just don't have room for in my shop.

[Richard Dooling]

You had my opinion of your offer soon after you posted it. I'm thinknig I can offer some things free-to-a-good home also but I don't know that I'd want to keep paying the shipping.

We all help where we can and as we can. Or not.

A helping hand is just that - nuff said.

[Bill Houghton]

other alternatives, if they exist in your area, would be:

a Habitat for Humanity ReStore (imagine, a thrift store for people working on their houses - many of us on this forum can remember being towed through thrift stores by our mates, wondering why no one ever contributes, say, tools to thrift stores; these are the answer)

Craigslist "free" section or, if you have one in your area, Freecycle

and, of course, church and other rummage sales.

It was a generous offer here on Sawmill Creek. A shame you got a negative response. I was getting ready to send you a message at the first post, but found that others had beaten me to it.