16Again's Tool giveaway is a great concept!

[Beauregard]

I think 16again is really onto something here.

There are so many on this forum who give freely with their knowledge, experience, education, and training. Sometimes it's just a firm dose of common sense, giving advice that the poster doesn't want to hear, but needs to hear. Sometimes the answers come with wit and a clever sense of humor.

I think there are times when many of us here wish there was a way to kind of pay it forward for all the good this forum does. (Aside from spending money on stuff you didn't know you needed).

Many of us have things around the shop or basement that are of quality, but just no longer used or needed. Maybe it's new, maybe it's vintage and collectible. Maybe it's something that only those on this unique list would recognize as valuable.

Maybe there could be a dedicated thread for members giving away items to other members.

16again did it right. Minimum restrictions of eligibility, and free shipping to your address. It's a gift, right? The random number generators found on the net are legit. You type in the parameters, say 1 through 167, and hit a button and a number comes up. The way the posts are numbered makes the process simple.

So, what are your thoughts on a dedicated Giveaway thread? I think it has lots of potential.

Beau

 

[Shiftless]

Thanks for bringing this up.
Many of us might be more inclined to give something away if we didn’t have to spend money to ship the things. But potential recipients might balk at advancing shipping costs to fellows they don’t know to get things based on a couple of pics.

 

[ItsNemo]

I've done a giveaway here before, shipping sometimes gets close or exceeds the value of the thing being given away. It's a nice way to give back, but it's not good finance.

 

[16again]

Honestly, I think it's a great idea.
As for shipping, the person making the specific post can simply dictate the shipping terms. Should someone want the item, they know up front if shipping is included or not.

 

[Beauregard]

I've done a giveaway here before, shipping sometimes gets close or exceeds the value of the thing being given away. It's a nice way to give back, but it's not good finance.

I understand it's bad finance. But it's the gifting that makes this work.

We upgraded our washer/dryer set to the latest and greatest.
I decided to gift the old, perfectly usable set, away on FBMP.
The single mother of two toddlers had no way to haul, move, or install the set. Me and a buddy hauled them across town, dollied them into her plumbed but no-appliance laundry room, and hooked them up with new hoses and vent tube. It took about 90 minutes of our afternoon and a few bucks, but it made a world of difference in this stranger's life.
It's about giving, not finance.

 

[ItsNemo]

I understand it's bad finance. But it's the gifting that makes this work.

We upgraded our washer/dryer set to the latest and greatest.
I decided to gift the old, perfectly usable set, away on FBMP.
The single mother of two toddlers had no way to haul, move, or install the set. Me and a buddy hauled them across town, dollied them into her plumbed but no-appliance laundry room, and hooked them up with new hoses and vent tube. It took about 90 minutes of our afternoon and a few bucks, but it made a world of difference in this stranger's life.
It's about giving, not finance.

Which I'm happy to do sometimes for a good reason...

 

[Madjik Man]

It is inspiring.

After a member here, just out of incredible goodwill and generosity, gifted me a lot of his 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 Koken collection I was inspired to image the large box of vintage pieces I have and post them up for free (just pay for shipping). If I have something that completes a set of yours, awesome. If I have something you've always fancied, awesome.

Then I was going to post a couple of links to local charities I donate to, with no obligation or expectation that the recipient has to donate there.

I'm now more inspired to finally get this done by 16Agains post.

 

[Zewnten]

I give away tools all the time to the new guys, sometimes it’s even intended. My question though is once in awhile I see someone wanting to get into a trade or hobby requiring tooling but many on here already have loads of tools.

What about a separate swap thread but along side the giveaway? Want to try a brand but not ready to commit to a whole set, maybe a member has that tool brand as an odd ball one just hanging out in their collection?

 

[gleman]

I give away tools all the time to the new guys, sometimes it’s even intended. My question though is once in awhile I see someone wanting to get into a trade or hobby requiring tooling but many on here already have loads of tools.

What about a separate swap thread but along side the giveaway? Want to try a brand but not ready to commit to a whole set, maybe a member has that tool brand as an odd ball one just hanging out in their collection?

I'd love a swap thread!

I don't know if there is an easy way to list things to swap without shipping biting both parties in the ****.

I garage and estate sale and have a pile of unused tools that I'd gladly send if I didn't have to conted with wonky shipping costs.

 

[Chrome Vanadium Cody]

I posted a “for trade” thread in the classifieds section recently and people came up with some pretty fun stuff to trade me. If we made an official swap thread I’d be in for sure.

 

[Zewnten]

Last time I shipped a set of wrenches I think it was less than $20 for the flat rate envelope. Have to account for it in the trade?

I'd love a swap thread!

I don't know if there is an easy way to list things to swap without shipping biting both parties in the ****.

I garage and estate sale and have a pile of unused tools that I'd gladly send if I didn't have to conted with wonky shipping costs.