Author:
Taxonomy upgrade extras:
I got to thinking about those who either purge, getting rid of all their femme finery, or need to clean out their closets, but hate to throw good things away.
Why couldn't there be a web site that specializes, being a middlewoman, as it were, to help connect these no longer wanted/unneeded items with people who DO need them?
Those with items they don't want or need, could list them, and those who need them, could obtain them for the cost of having them sent/shipped/mailed to them. They would just send a money order to the person looking to divest herself of the items.
I realize that there are probably a ton of pitfalls I haven't thought of yet, but it seems a shame to think of things like wigs, breastforms, shoes, etc, just being thrown out, or consigned to thrift stores. Yes, I do know that thrift stores do serve a very important purpose for those of us who need clothes, etc, but can't afford new stuff. Still, every time I hear of someone "purging", and throwing away everything that identifies them as TS, I cringe at the waste.
So many of us are on the ragged edge of perpetually broke, unable to even buy low priced stuff at thrift stores, or afraid to buy clothing that they believe identifies them as TS/TG/TV/CD.
Maybe it's a whacky idea, but I think it is a real shame that good items get tossed out, that someone could really use. I wouldn't have the foggiest idea of how to set something like this up, but with all the wonderful, inventive, innovative minds we have gathered here, SOMEONE should know how such a thing could work.
Just my two cents worth, I guess.
Hugs 'n love,
Catherine Linda Michel
Comments
When I purged....
last - my stuff all went to "Good Will"... Except for my Rx Glasses... I slipped them into the Lion's Club "collection" basket.
Wish now that I'd "saved" the shoes. LOL
Dunno whether such an "exchange" would work well or not.
Annette
Wouldn't that...
...be wonderful. ^__^
-Liz
-Liz
Successor to the LToC
Formerly known as "momonoimoto"
Exchange
Like all things it would depend on the trust and integrity of those involved. It would be great when it worked and a shame if someone decided to take advantage of it. Unfortunately humans are not particularly trustworthy especially when it comes to cheating those who are poor or desperate.
Nothing in Life is Free; if the cost is not monetary it will be physical, emotional, or spiritual.
Rachel Anne
Nothing in Life is Free; if the cost is not monetary it will be physical, emotional, or spiritual.
Rachel Anne
Shame and Anonymity
The only people who could participate in such an arrangement would be people who weren't ashamed, and who were "out" enough to not need complete anonymity. The average purger (as well as the average person who could use the clothes) doesn't fit either of those profiles. Many of the people on this site, and many others, desperately want to keep their anonymity, to protect their lives, homes, marriages, and jobs. Without at least being able to share names and addresses, no exchange is possible.
Until things change, a lot, the midnight drive to the charity donation bin, or the black garbage bag tossed by the side of the road, is probably not going away.
There are other issues, too, like whether people clean their clothes. I have a suspicion that some purgers (not all, not most, just some!) have never washed any of the stuff in that garbage bag they're tossing into the dumpster behind the Dairy Queen.
Cathy, you and I have exchanged a few unwanted items, but it only worked because of a degree of personal trust. Too many people never get to that point.
Online shopping.
The major drawback to your idea is you cannot try on things when all you have is a picture on a website.
I recently bought a bunch of size 11WW shoes only to find at this store... I was only a 9WW. I had been buying normal width shoes in larger sizes to get the extra width.
I had to send them all back and get new shoes and I had to pay shipping both ways. I could have bought another pair of shoes for that price.
Not being able to try things on is a real drawback to online shopping. Takes all the fun out in my opinion.
I only use online shopping to see what is in the store. Oooh! I love that...grab coat and purse... go buy it.
nobody.
Re: A Clothing, shoes, wigs, etc exchange site?
We already have the ubiquitous freecycle sites for different areas of the country, why not add a new site dedicated to the TS/TG/TV/CD community? This would avoid the problem of people having to meet others (unless they wish to, of course :) ), thereby avoiding possible embarrassment or being 'outed' when they want to remain anonymous.
As most items can be sent via post the areas covered by each freecycle site can be quite large so could easily be based in the major cities yet remain available to all who have access to a computer & internet connection.
That's my two-pennorth :)
Cuddles, Barbara Kathleen Iwish