one man's rubbish is another man's treasure (Freegle)

Member Name: jennyf16

Product:	Freegle
Date:	11/11/09 (40 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: easy to use

Disadvantages: too many 'wanted' adverts

Freegle is what was formerly known as Freecycle. It is on the yahoo network and has various regional groups up and down the country. Most towns/cities will have one. For smaller areas then they may be combined to form one group.

I came across Freecycle as it was known, a few years ago after my mum showed me an article for it in our local village magazine. I didn't have a yahoo account and so had to set one up in order to use it. If you already have a yahoo account than you can use your existing one. The first thing I did when I signed up was to list some things we had - more about that later.

The basic idea of freegle is that we prevent things just going to the tip/landfill and give them to new homes. One man's rubbish is another man's treasure type of thing! People list things on there - you reply to them if you would like their item and then the person who listed it will let you know if you've been successful and arrange a collection day and time. The site can also be used for posting 'wanted' ads too, although this used to be quite rare - some groups, including my local one as seeing so many of these, it's kind of taking freegle away from it's original idea.

If you have something to list you send it in the form of an email that goes to the moderator for the group. In the subject you put 'Offered: Item (Postcode/area)'. You must use this format otherwise it won't be accepted, I've had offered ad's rejected when I first started using the groups as I didn't use the correct format. Then in the content of the email you write what the item is. Please remember that it must be in a relatively good condition and describe it as it is - this helps other uses decide if they'd like the item. The whole point of Freegle is that it's free and no money is exchanged.

I listed several things on freegle and all went quickly (within 3 days) without any problems. On my first using of the groups I was really impressed and pleased that my old items were going to people who could use them. I often wonder that if they'd been taken to a charity shop they'd just sit there. Where as I know from the emails I've had that my items on freegle are going to be used and go to good homes.

Up until recently I'd never 'got' anything from freegle. However having just moved into my first house I wanted to try and get a few items for a little as possible. I am a member of the group near me and my mum a member of the one near her. We both managed to get items for my house. Both are in good condition and the arrangement of picking them up was really easy. I was the 'offered' advert for a tv and emailed and explained why I wanted it and how it would be useful to me etc. I'm not sure if you have to leave a message in the email but I feel it more personal to do so and when I've posted 'offered' ad's I've liked people who've put a message in. I got a reply back to say that I could have the t.v and I collected that weekend. Great TV and so much better than not having one!

Overall freegle is a great way to ensure your old items are given to new loving homes.

Summary: a great site to get things you might not be able to afford