Curbside Question

[overanalyzed.livejournal.com]

So I am buying a new couch tomorrow from Craigslist and I would like to have the movers dispose of my old couches as well (I am too weak to move them myself). They are not in the best shape so I'd like to have them leave them on the side of the road. No rips or stains but dusty and a little sunken-in. Problem is, the garbage just got picked up today and I'm skeptical that anyone would actually take them, meaning they might be there until next week.

Does anyone know if I'd get fined for this? I know some shelters take used sofas and such but do any of them do pick ups ? Or do the garbage men ever make special trips? Any ideas are greatly appreciated. Thanks for your help.

EDIT: Called 311 and its a no-go unless its garbage day (but apparently they'll take up to two pieces of furniture). I might wait until next week but any ideas of what a waste disposal service might cost?

UPDATE: Disposed of larger couch today through Craigslist free items and it was amazing :)

Comments

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

1) Post something about 'free stuff' and someone really will probably come take it.

2) http://www.somervillema.gov/spotlight.cfm?id=7

3) 311.

sorry, i'm incapable of seeing a numbered list without adding this

[kpht.livejournal.com]

4. profit.

Re: sorry, i'm incapable of seeing a numbered list without adding this

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

5) Tickybox.

7) There is no #6.

[lizzielizzie.livejournal.com]

One condo complex in the 'burbs that I moved out of made you call a waste disposal place to get rid of old furniture (I had a huge sectional to toss) and it cost me $100. :-p

An assortment of ideas

[chenoameg.livejournal.com]

You're probably unlikely to be fined for it, but yeah, leaving furniture out for most of a week is a no-no, and leaving it in the rain does mean no one will pick it up.

Ask the delivery guys if you can pay them $60 to make the sofas go away. Might work.

If you can find someone to take it on Craigslist or freecycle make them come get it and carry them out as well

The last sofa I disposed of was a sleeper sofa no one wanted, which was too big for me to carry downstairs. So I took it apart with a circ saw and some screwdrivers, and then took the pieces to the curb.

[enochs-fable.livejournal.com]

After googling for some local shelters, veteran's organizations, goodwill, salvation army, you should pick up the phone and schedule pickups with those that will. We've donated furniture before and they came and picked them up (I think it was Salvation Army (http://www.use.salvationarmy.org/use/www_use.nsf/vw-text-dynamic-arrays/B126E05AEAE85714802572E300062069?openDocument).)

[craigindaville.livejournal.com]

Just to add a word of caution, with the spread of bedbugs in the area, most people SHOULD be more wary of taking unknown, free furniture from the curb. Doesn't mean that they WILL, but it may not go as quickly as in days of yore.

[talonvaki.livejournal.com]

This. I had an awesome old solid wood dresser from the 50's and Salvation Army came an picked it up (and carried it down the stairs from my 3rd floor apartment)!

[alphacygni]

But don't make it your last resort right before moving. I had Salvation Army show up, a couple of days before my moving day, and decide that they didn't want the stuff they had come to pick up (despite my having described it on the phone quite completely). So I was very screwed. It's a fine idea, but have a backup plan!

[rethcir.livejournal.com]

Hmm, you'd think the company would hire movers who ARE in good shape.