The Click Between Want and Need

Yvonne Battle-Felton

June 25, 2010

I love a good sale.

Black Friday, the day after Christmas, a going out of business sale, EBay.

If I can save money, I’m willing to wake up early; wait in long lines; bid and outbid to more frequently than not get the item that I want.

When I need something, I expect to get it, even if I have to pay full price for it. If I can’t afford it, I expect to wait until I can.

I don’t ask for it.

I may ask others for advice or information on how to get something, but I don’t ask them for whatever it is I want or need.

Money, taxes, politics: There’s a lot I don’t talk about.

When I was growing up, you never asked anyone how much they made, who they voted for, or for something you wanted.

Something you needed was different.

And asking strangers either way, well, you just didn’t.

So, when I joined freecyle.org last week, it was with a giddy sense of rebellion. Communities flocking to give away free items –I ignored that they were also unwanted items.

I briefly imagined refurnishing my entire house with quality, free furniture, curtains, and possibly appliances.

When my brief application was approved I briefly skimmed the Faq’s list and eagerly awaited posts of treasures.

Offered: Playstation, 2 controllers and games.

Within minutes my wait was rewarded. Using the advice of the FAQ, I replied stating the Playstation would be for my family, I was willing to pick it up, etc…All of this was true. But, why did it feel like begging?

Now, also according to the FAQ, people who are giving away things should not take the first request because in their experience, people say they will take something and don’t.

The odds were against me.

But so was I.

I didn’t like the way asking for something I wanted made me feel.

WANTED: This

OFFERED: That

TAKEN: These

WANTED: This and this and this and also, that….

While waiting for the response (which would either come in an email or as a posting that the item was no longer available), I scrolled other postings.

TV’s, toddler beds, bricks, the list of wants was endless. The rate at which offered items were consumed was untimeable.

People want an enormous amount of things. Not medical supplies, diapers, or food, but things.

There is a difference between what I want and what I need, and I don’t mind saving to get it.

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