Freegle

Contessa

How long does it take to join a local group? My application is still "pending" after about 2 weeks and I've loads of stuff that could be of use to others!

Joly_Roger

Freegle? That's the new group built by disgruntled moderators who wanted more independence from the US controlled Freecycle. You should have been accepted by now, perhaps your email was lost or the moderator has problems with his internet access.

In the meantime you could try offering the items on Gumtree in the FREEBIES section. Sure they would get snapped up there.

Freecycle / Freegle is great but I would also advise people to also continue donating saleable items to charity shops. They have really suffered since the advent of Ebay, Gumtree & Freecycle.

I often give away good quality large items on Freecycle. It's so much quicker and no hassle compared to Ebay. I bet I've lost loads of money in doing so, but at least it feels like I'm helping out local people.

Contessa

Thanks for that information-really helpful. I'm also keen to support charity shops.

Contessa

Just signed up to my local Freecycle group. This time it only took me 5 minutes!

alichat

It shouldn't take long at all to sign up to a Freegle group. Something must have gone wrong.
Just thought I'd say that it is worth charities registering with their local Freegle group because they can put in requests for things. Members are often keen to support local charities. Charity shops can also offer things on Freegle that they are unable to sell in their shops.

Caterina

Joly_Roger wrote: »

Freecycle / Freegle is great but I would also advise people to also continue donating saleable items to charity shops. They have really suffered since the advent of Ebay, Gumtree & Freecycle.

I have been a constant supplier of stuff to our local charity shop until a friend of mine started working there and told me that a lot of the stuff that is donated - and I am talking GOOD stuff not any old stained rubbish - is thrashed and then thrown in the bins at the back of the shop.

The reason that it is thrashed first is so that people cannot go and help themselves for free.

The other day I cleared the wardrobe of most of my clothes (drastic downshift) and was about to take them to the charity shop then decided not to, instead I put them on freecycle and a lovely woman (who REALLY needed them) came to pick them up. Seeing her happiness and knowing that my stuff, which I loved, will be equally loved and cared for, made me doubly happy.

I also gave another lot of bits and pieces, including yarn and fabric cut-offs to another woman, who then sent me an email thanking me and assuring me that none of that stuff will go to waste.

Maybe this is why people no longer use the charity shops!

Queen.Bess

I live in west Suffolk and there isn't yet a freegle group that covers our area, so I've joined the south Norfolk one. That might be wrong - I don't know how strict they are boundary wise!

But freecycle wise I agree with Caterina that seeing the pleasure in passing something on that will be used is a great feeling!

It's interesting what you say Caterina about charity shops and has made me think that in future I will support them by buying stuff from them rather than donating!

I love your sig by the way - I shall think of that next time I want to buy something!

Halva

Hi Contessa,

I'm sorry things haven't been so straightforward for you joining your Freegle group. Have you managed to sort this out yet? Sometimes moderators ask you to send them a reply with your postcode in it to check that you're local. Did you get one of those?

If you've still had no joy, I moderate a local group and would be happy to try and get in touch with your group owner if you let me know the group name.

Cheers,
Halva

dorothyjeanquinn

Freegle
I hope you are in by now. Yahoo will terminate your application after two weeks so I suggest you apply again if not. You should either be accepted immediately or sent a pending members email to reply to.
If you have any problems I suggest you email freegleuk@googlemail.com and say which group you are trying to join. There is a list of local groups on the website too.
Jeam
Freegle Moderator

Contessa wrote: »

How long does it take to join a local group? My application is still "pending" after about 2 weeks and I've loads of stuff that could be of use to others!

dorothyjeanquinn

I think it is worth asking your local charity shops what they find easiest to sell. A lot of my local ones now get enough supplies of new clothes from the shops, mail order companies etc. that most of those donated by others are sold on for rags or shipment to other countries. However this is not true for all of them. and will need other items to sell..
Jean

My loca tk

Caterina wrote: »

I have been a constant supplier of stuff to our local charity shop until a friend of mine started working there and told me that a lot of the stuff that is donated - and I am talking GOOD stuff not any old stained rubbish - is thrashed and then thrown in the bins at the back of the shop.
The reason that it is thrashed first is so that people cannot go and help themselves for free.

T

mgrds

I too have more or less given up on charity shops after seeing how much useable stuff many of them dump - we give to keep stuff out of landfill not add to it.

So I will still support the charities but not by donating items to the shops until they start a more ecologically sound policy. Stuff goes to my local Freegle group.

If you applied to join Feegle or any other Yahoo group and it hasn't happened - check you spam box first (often their is an e-mail you need to respond to there. If not just e-mail the group owner on the contact address given on the groups Yahoo frontpage (for freegle you can find a link on the ilovefreegle website - google it) - explainthe problem, and i'm sure you'll be joined up quickly!
I moderate a whole load of Yahoo groups and other forums and these hiccups happen sometimes - but we usually sort them quickly!


Mark