Interestingly when I try to give things away for free on Craigslist (yes, I'm old, I still use CL) I am frustrated to no end by no-shows. I've occasionally charged $5 just because that seems to filter out people who will actually come.

But I don't remember that being an issue with NeighborGoods. Maybe it was the community nature of it, that you really felt like you were borrowing from a neighbor, instead of just getting some free stuff to re-sell.

I never dealt with damage. I think actually IF I were charging per hour, I might care more, because then it feels like a business transaction. If I'm putting stuff up for free, then it's because I'm willing to lend to neighbors. (Obviously I'd feel different if someone broke my $400 drill press or something.)