After a few years of searching for free stuff, I've noticed patterns. There are times when the offerings explode, and times when almost nothing happens. This knowledge can help you search more efficiently.
The Annual Rhythm
The year has its own logic when it comes to giving things away.
January starts surprisingly strong. New Year's resolutions mean: decluttering, making space, starting fresh. People part with things they accumulated over the past year. Especially clothing and sports equipment.
February and March are spring cleaning season. As soon as the days get longer, people get the urge to clean. Wardrobes get emptied, basements get cleared out. This is one of the best times of the year for free finds.
April to June are solid, but not spectacular. Some moves happen in spring, but the big wave comes later.
July and August are moving season. In Switzerland, many rental contracts end in the summer, so people move. Especially at the end of the month, the offerings explode. Furniture, household items, everything that won't be coming along.
September is student season. The start of the semester means: the old students give things away, the new ones are looking. In university cities, this creates its own dynamic.
October to November are quieter. After the moving wave, things calm down. There are still offerings, but fewer.
December is split. Not much happens at the beginning of the month -- people are busy with Christmas. Between Christmas and New Year, a small wave sometimes hits: the presents have been unwrapped, the old stuff has to go.
The Monthly Rhythm
Within each month, there's a clear pattern.
The last days of the month -- roughly from the 25th onward -- are peak time. Moves happen at the end of the month, so things need to go beforehand. Someone who has to move on the 30th is sometimes desperate enough by the 28th to give away almost everything.
The first days of the new month are also good. Some people don't manage to get rid of everything before the move. The things then end up in the new apartment and still need to go.
The middle of the month is quieter. Fewer moves, less pressure, fewer offerings.
The Weekly Rhythm
The days of the week also make a difference.
The weekend is the best time. On Saturdays and Sundays, people have time to take care of these things. New offerings get posted, pickups can happen.
Friday is also good -- many people plan for the weekend and put things online.
Monday to Thursday are quieter. People are working, have less time and energy for decluttering.
One exception: when the end of the month falls on a weekday, those days are still active -- the moving pressure takes priority.
Time of Day
There are less clear patterns here, but a few tendencies.
In the morning, offerings are often posted that were prepared the evening before. People who photograph and describe things in the evening sometimes don't post until the next morning.
At midday and in the afternoon, spontaneous offerings appear. Someone tidies up, finds something, puts it online right away.
The evening is response time. People check their messages and inquiries after work.
For pickups: weekends during the day are easiest. Both sides have time then.
Local Variations
These patterns apply generally, but there are local particularities.
In university cities, September is different -- the student dynamic overrides everything else.
In Basel and Lucerne, the Fasnacht (carnival) season is special. People tidy up before Fasnacht; afterward, everyone is too tired.
In tourist areas like Graubunden or Valais, seasonal worker movements generate offerings.
Strategies for Optimal Timing
If you're looking for something specific -- a desk, for example -- check regularly, but especially during peak times. End of the month, on weekends, in spring or summer.
If you just want to browse, the quiet times aren't bad either. Fewer offerings, but also less competition. What gets posted stays online longer.
If you want to get rid of something: post it on Friday or Saturday morning. Then people have the weekend to pick it up.
Being Quick Pays Off
No matter when you search: speed is an advantage.
Good offerings -- the nice sofa, the working TV -- go fast. Sometimes within minutes. First come, first served.
If you can turn on notifications, do it. On PIKITUP, on Facebook groups, wherever possible. That way you'll know immediately when something new pops up.
Conclusion
Timing isn't everything, but it helps. If you know when the offerings come, you can search more efficiently and make better finds.
The short version: end of the month, on weekends, in spring or late summer. Those are the golden times.
And when in doubt: just check regularly. That way you won't miss anything.
Have your own timing tips? Write to me -- hello@pikitup.ch