When Irina Jilishitz relocated from her cramped New York City studio to a home in New Jersey, she needed furniture, bikes and a mountain of baby playthings. Rather thanspending tens of thousands of dollars, Jilishitz discovered a less expensive (free!) option: Buy Nothing groups.
The title might sound a bit confusing. It doesn’t mean you receive nothing — it means you’re notpurchasingit. Buy Nothing groups let people pick up everything from pet food to cookware at no cost from others in their neighborhood.
“I’ve watched people give away grills and furniture, from bed frames to sofas,” Jilishitz said. “I’ve received a baby bassinet and loads of clothing and shoes for the kids.”
Yes, it’s exactly as great as it appears. What’s better than free? Here’s everything you need to know about acquiring and passing along items through Buy Nothing networks.
What Are Buy Nothing Groups?
Buy Nothing groups are local online circles where people offer and accept items for free. Theproject began in 2013in Washington state, and nowadays these groups exist in nearly every community across the nation.
Within these groups, neighbors post whatever they want to give away, and interested people reply “interested” to claim it. The first responder usually gets priority on the item, and the giver will commonly leave the item outside their door for a simple pickup. In urban areas, exchanges often happen at a designated time and place.
Although you don’t need to contribute to receive something, the groups function best when members also donate items. Ultimately, it’s an honor system and doesn’t obligate you to anything.
The purpose of Buy Nothing groups is to cut down on consumer purchases, encourage neighbors to share belongings and prolong the life of goods. Everyone benefits.
What Can You Obtain From Buy Nothing Groups?
You can find almost anything through Buy Nothing groups. I’ve belonged to a Buy Nothing group for nearly ten years, and I’ve picked up everything from newborn apparel to books to a whole sofa in superb condition.
I’ve donated kids’ toys, dishware, zoo tickets, Broadway show passes and even an entire prepared meal we didn’t end up eating.
There are, however, items that can’t be given away. The groups prohibit illegal goods, and you can’t use the platform to distribute business-related products as a marketing ploy. While high-value gifts such as housing can be offered, you cannot request anything in return, including bartering. It’s genuinely a free-only community.
How Do They Operate?
It’s straightforward. Someone posts an item they want to give away and usually includes a photo. They note its condition. GUD stands for good used condition; EUC means excellent used condition; UC is used condition; New without tags is self-explanatory.
If an item has flaws like scratches, tears or stains, the giver will often include close-up photos showing the issue. They’ll also disclose whether pets or smokers were around the item. Lastly, they’ll state the pickup method. PPU means porch pick-up, indicating the item will be left outside for collection.
How Can You Locate Them?
Most Buy Nothing groups are hosted on Facebook. Search Facebook for “Buy Nothing” plus your neighborhood or the nearest large city. Alternatively, you can gohereto find your local group, or download the simple app that directs you to a nearby group.
If you don’t spot an existing group, you can create one by filling out thisformand contributing at least $10 to the Buy Nothing cause (details are in the form).
Etiquette to Be Aware Of
There are several courtesy rules you should learn before diving into Buy Nothing.
Anyone giving away an item must accurately describe its condition. You might get rid of a ripped chair faster by being honest, but if you list it as pristine, the recipient will understandably be upset.
These groups operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so the earliest responder gets the item. If that person backs out, the giver moves down the list.
Similarly, it’s poor manners to not show up or to ghost the giver. We all get busy and occasionally forget, but try to arrive when you say you will.
Lastly, Buy Nothing places a strong emphasis on neighborhood sharing. Ideally, you should live within the group’s designated area, though if there isn’t a group near you, joining one farther away is allowed. Just be prepared to transport any items you give away to that Buy Nothing neighborhood for pickup.
Pros and Cons
In my view, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks — but there are still some downsides.
The upsides: Did we mentionit’s free? You can save a bundle, help the planet by skipping new purchases and preview the item with a photo before committing.
The downsides: If you need a very specific item (say, a 6×8 blue-and-yellow rug in like-new condition), it might be difficult to find. Maybe you’ll get lucky, but you should expect to be flexible.
Also, most goods are pre-owned. That means you may need to clean, mend or scrub items to make them look how you want. Still, it’s completely free.
Alternatives Similar to Buy Nothing Groups
Buy Nothing groups are excellent, but there areother optionsif you can’t find what you need there.
My preferred alternative is Facebook Marketplace, a section of Facebook for buying and selling items. I like Marketplace because you can filter results by proximity to your home or broaden the search to see more choices. Free listings are rare, but prices are typically much lower than retail.
Poshmark is useful if you’re hunting for clothes or accessories. You won’t usually find freebies, but items are shipped to you at a significant discount for secondhand goods.
I also regularly browse Etsy for vintage finds. Often these pieces are nearly giveaways, and you can discover anything from vintage tableware to retro furniture. Tip: Add the item you want to your cart and wait — sellers often send a discount within 24 hours.
The Savinly contributor Danielle Braff is a Chicago-based writer who focuses on consumer goods and budget shopping. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post, Real Simple and more.
