How to Get Free Stuff Alerts Near You

Free furniture, appliances, and tools are given away near you every day, but the good items usually go to whoever replies first. Alerts solve that problem by telling you when something new is posted, so you don’t have to keep checking.

Here’s where to look and how to get notified.

Where to find free stuff near you

Place	What you’ll find	Alerts?
Craigslist free section	Furniture, building materials, curb items	Saved searches by email
Facebook Marketplace	A bit of everything	Saved searches
Facebook curb alert groups	Items left at the curb	Group notifications
Freecycle	Household items from neighbors	Email options
Buy Nothing groups	Neighborhood giving	Group notifications
Trash Nothing	Listings from local giving groups	Email options
Nextdoor	Neighborhood items	App notifications

What is a curb alert?

A curb alert is a post saying someone has left items outside for anyone to take. They’re common on Craigslist and in local Facebook groups, usually with a rough location and photos.

Curb alert items go quickly and are exposed to the weather, so check the time of the post before you drive over.

How to set up free stuff alerts

On Craigslist

Open the free section for your area, search for an item if you like, and save the search. Craigslist can then email you about new matches. It only covers the area you saved, so repeat this for nearby ones. Here’s how to search all of Craigslist.

On Facebook Marketplace

Search for an item, filter the price to free, and save the search if you see the option. Join local curb alert and Buy Nothing groups as well, then turn on notifications for the ones you trust.

With Flipify

Built-in alerts can be slow and are limited to one site. Flipify can watch several marketplaces at once and send a push notification when something matches.

To use it for free items:

1. Create a watchlist with the words people use, such as free couch or curb alert.
2. Set a low maximum price.
3. Set your location and how far you’ll travel.
4. Exclude words you don’t want, such as wanted or iso.

Premium watchlists check every minute and basic watchlists check every 10 minutes. Flipify is a paid app, so it makes most sense if you collect items to fix up or resell. If you only want the occasional free item, the built-in alerts are probably enough.

Words to search for

Sellers rarely describe things the same way, so try several of these:

• free
• curb alert
• must go
• moving, must go
• you haul
• first come first served
• free to good home

How to get free items before anyone else

• Be specific. “Oak dresser” is better than “furniture”.
• Reply quickly and clearly. Say when you can collect it, and bring the right vehicle.
• Check common times. The end of the month, moving weekends, and the days before trash pickup are often good.
• Bring a friend for heavy items, and take straps and blankets.

Staying safe

Meet in public when you can, or bring someone with you. Don’t enter a stranger’s home alone. Don’t pay deposits for “free” items, since that’s a common scam. Be wary of used mattresses and upholstered furniture because of bed bugs. Only take items from the curb if they’re clearly being given away. Read our guide to avoiding online scams.

Can you flip free stuff for profit?

Yes. With no purchase cost, nearly all of the sale price is profit, minus your time and fuel. Solid wood furniture, tools, and working appliances are good bets. Read our guide to flipping furniture for profit, then see what sells best on Facebook Marketplace.

FAQ

Is there an app that alerts you to free stuff?

Yes. Craigslist and Facebook offer saved searches, and giving groups have notifications. Flipify can watch several marketplaces for words such as “free” or “curb alert” and send push notifications.

How do I find curb alerts near me?

Check the free section on Craigslist, search “curb alert” on Facebook Marketplace, and join local curb alert groups on Facebook.

What’s the best site for free stuff?

Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace usually have the most items. Freecycle and Buy Nothing are good for neighborly giving.