Freecycle

[Grandma]

Heard a lot of good things on here about Freecycle and applied to join my local group about 8/10 days ago.  :) So far all I get is  -'your membership is awaiting approval by the group owner'.  ???

Anyone else had this experience? What do I do?  ???

Just keep flogging on ebay and sending stuff to the tip?   :o

[Grandma]

[Tin Shed]

My membership came through almost immediately, but I have noticed that the offers etc come through sporadically, obviously when the group owner gets round to approving everything.

[prink13]

Seems to depend on Administrator of Freecycle group.

Cambridge - really slow, but got 100+ "Adverts" per day

Fenland - really quick to register etc. and get 15-20 "adverts" per day, if you are having trouble, try another group?!?

[Grandma]

Thanks Prink - but thought the idea was to keep it 'local' for easy collection, etc?

[prink13]

You may still find that more than one group covers where you live.

Example that I live in March in Cambridgeshire, but district council is Fenland - therefore covered by fenland and Cambridgeshire groups

Kathi

[emmy1978]

Hi Grandma, send them an email asking why you've not yet been approved. Tell them you've got loads of stuff to get rid of and you'll take it to the tip if you can't get on Freecycle! Ha. Really though 8 days is a bit lazy!

[Jeannine]

Grandma, thank you, you prompted me to look today and just as I did a greenhouse popped on, I asked and I got it .Thank you XXXXXXXXXX .

Get on to them you are missing out.

XX Jeannine

[mc55]

Grandma, I once had to wait ages for one of my freecycle accounts to be approved.  It was finally politely declined - when I queried why, turned out I'd applied to Manchester in the USA, not Manchester in the UK !!   doh

[Grandma]

That sounds like exactly the sort of thing I'd do, mc55!  :-[ (Just checked and I think I've got it right on this occasion! - but thanks!)  :)

[Hyacinth]

Keep in mind, tho,  that Freecycle groups are run by volunteers...as your group grows, and anyway I'd think, at this time of year when spring-cleaning junk starts to take off, they may be very stretched to man the site with the mods. they have? Our Birmingham group are asking for more at the mo...

GREAT NEWS Jeannine, btw, on the greenhouse!  8)

[Jeannine]

Lish, we haven't seen this yet,we know it is aluminium and in good condition except for a few broken panes. We are set to dismantle it next weekend,thought it would attach to one of the lotties sheds,XX Jeannine

[Grandma]

Thanks for all your help.  :-* Have taken your advice - emailed the group owner this a.m. and will start looking for another group if no reply soon.

(So pleased about the greenhouse, Jeannine! Can we look forward to a piccie some time? xxx ;))

[dtw]

I joined the Guildford one, but as soon as any good stuff comes on it gets snapped up straight away.
There must be somebody sitting at their desk just clicking on their refresh button repeatedly,
then saying they'll have it (probably to flog on ebay).

[legendaryone]

I joined the Guildford one, but as soon as any good stuff comes on it gets snapped up straight away.
There must be somebody sitting at their desk just clicking on their refresh button repeatedly,
then saying they'll have it (probably to flog on ebay).

It doesn't necessarily go on a first come first served basis, when ever i offer anything i leave it a few hours to give people who don't work at a PC a chance  :)

[cacran]

I have got lots of stuff from Freecycle members and given lots away too. It is like a regular swap shop at this house. I find that if you go on early in the morning, you have the best chance of getting thigs. so if you work. Get up 15 minutes earlier and check your emails. I would nevber sell things on that I have received from Freecycle members, it would be against the principle. I suspect that some people would try to do so though, there is always someone who spoils things but they may get their just desserts, people usually do in the end. I almost joined the Bradford US site instead of Bradford West Yorks. it is easy done. the travel cost of picking an item up would not make it cost effective!!!!!!!!

[Grandma]

I'm in!!!  ;D ;D ;D  The email did the trick. Thank you for your helpful hints and good advice. What a great forum this is - I'd be lost without you all  :o

[machman5]

Our local Freecycle have just introduced a 'Fair Offer Policy'.  This means the 'giver' promises to wait a couple of days for any replies and then choses who to give it to.  This means that you can go on at anytime of the day and know you won't have missed out on things.  I think it's a great idea  :D - should stop the pros grabbing stuff to sell on ebay! >:(