Havering Freegle - FAQ's
Hopefully, we have answered any questions you may have below, however if you have any further questions, click on the contact link in the menu above and ask away! Freegle is forever evolving, therefore you may find some information outdated, if you do, please let us know!
How do I join Havering Freegle?
I've received responses to my OFFER post - what should I do now?
I responded to an OFFER post but haven't heard anything - should I send another email?
How do I change the email address I use for Freegle?
How do I stop receiving group email whilst I'm away?
I'm receiving too many messages! How can I stop them?
Why was my post returned by Yahoo?
Why was my post returned by a moderator?
Is it OK to sell items received from the group?
What type of things can I ask for?
I offered an item but no one showed to collect it! What now?
I applied to join the group, but I haven't heard anything. What's happened?
What do I really need to know before I start using Havering Freegle?
How do I join the Havering Freegle group?
Our recommended way is to join on the web, through Freegle Direct where you can sign up with your Google, Facebook or Yahoo ID or sign up directly. Otherwise, you can join through Yahoo groups. Go to the Havering Freegle home page and click 'Join This Group'. Although this way takes a little longer. To join Havering Freegle through Yahoo Groups you will need a Yahoo email address. If you want to, you can change this to a preferred email address through your membership settings once you have joined. Yahoo will walk you through the setup of creating a Yahoo email address if you don't yet have one, before walking you through the group's joining process. Once you have completed this, you will receive a confirmation email from us to your Yahoo email address which will need replying to. As soon as your reply is received your application will be dealt with. If you experience any problems when joining the group please email us and let us know. We will do what ever we can to help you. During the joining process, you will be asked how you would prefer to receive messages from the group. The Havering Freegle group can get quite busy - up to 300 messages per week usually so you may not want individual emails sent to your inbox! You may choose either the Daily Digest or Special Notices settings but please do not opt for the No Email setting - we occasionally need to contact all members with important group information using Special Notices. You may alternatively join by email only. Joining by email is an easy way of becoming a member of Havering Freegle. All you need to do is send an email to our subscribe address then reply to the confirmation email you receive back. Once a member by email, you will receive group messages to your email inbox. The downside to becoming a mail only member is that you won't be able to access to the group's web features. By joining as a full group member you have access to the homegroup on the website where you can view and reply to the messages, view photo's of items being offered, change membership and mail delivery settings, access files, calenders and polls and use the plugins available. Back to top of page
I've received responses to my OFFER post - what should I do now?
There is no correct way to choose the recipient of your offer, It is entirely your decision who receives your item. You could go for the first reply you receive or you could offer your item to whoever lives nearest to you or you could choose a member who gives you a good reason for wanting your item. You could even choose a name from a hat but however you decide, remember to follow your Offer post with a Taken post once the collection has taken place. This will inform other group members, saving you and them from any further enquiries. Back to top of page
I responded to an OFFER post but haven't heard anything - should I send another email?
No. The response to an offer can often be huge. With over 5000 members who could potentially all reply to a single offer, it's just not feasible to expect the offerer to reply to everyone. Email once, and if you don't hear anything back, please assume the item has been taken. Back to top of page
How do I change the email address I use for Freegle?
To change your email address, sign in to the Freegle Direct or Yahoo group homepage (depending on which oe you joied up with) and click on 'Edit Membership' here you can choose an email address that you have already registered with Yahoo or you can create a new address. You will receive a confirmation email if you create a new address so please be sure to check your inbox for it and follow any instruction provided. Back to top of page
How do I stop receiving group email whilst I'm away?
As above, visit the group homepage and click 'Edit Membership'. Locate the options and choose Special Notices. Once Yahoo have updated (this can take up to 24 hours) you will no longer receive any group messages to your email address but the group moderators will still be able to contact you if needed. Don't forget to change things back when you are ready. Back to top of page
I'm receiving too many messages! How can I stop them?
You can set your subscription to either 'Special Notices' so you'll only receive the very occasional ADMIN messages from the group owners. You can then go to the group's site to read the messages there whenever you'd like or you can choose Daily Digest. With this option chosen you will receive one or two daily emails containing all of the day's posts. Visit the group homepage and click 'Edit Membership'. Locate the options in step.2 towards the bottom of the page and choose Special Notices (or Daily Digest). Once Yahoo have updated (this can take up to 24 hours) you will no longer receive individual group messages to your email address but the group moderators will still be able to contact you if needed. Back to top of page
Why was my post returned by Yahoo?
Make sure you are using the email account you subscribed to the group with and send your posts to this address. Messages can only be sent as plain text so make sure not to use HTML. If neither of these are the reasons for your problem you can see if you can find an answer at yahoo groups help otherwise contact the group moderators and let us know of your problem - please include a copy of any rejection messages you have received from Yahoo. Back to top of page
Why was my post returned by a moderator?
If you have had a post returned you will have received an email from us explaining why we had to return your post with instruction on how to repost your message. The main reasons we would return a post are as follows;
Is it OK to sell items received from the group?
Our main goal is to keep items from going into landfill so as long as this is happening we don't really mind what you do with your item. However many members give items to be used by the receiver only, there are people who may truly benefit from an item and if it were down to choice the offering member may prefer the item to go to a person who will use the item rather than place it on Ebay or sell it at a bootsale. Therefore we insist that anyone who is receiving items with the intention to sell them on, let the gifting member know of the intentions before collecting the item. If a member is found to be selling on without the knowledge of the gifting member, they will be removed from the group without notice. Back to top of page
What type of things can I ask for?
Wanted posts are NOT emphasized in this group. We all have times of need but please don't overdo it. Do not post multiple Wants, or ask for items that just wouldn't be found in landfill. We would all like the latest laptop, an XBox 360 and a new car but this isn't the place to find one! Other members start to notice when another member is forever posting Wanted messages to the group and usually will put the wanting member in their ignore list so please try to stay realistic and balance out your Wanted postings with Offers. It doesn't have to be anything extravagent, even that old carpet has it's uses - just ask a member of the local allotment! Back to top of page
I offered an item but no one showed to collect it! What now?
If you experience a problem with 'no-shows', please let the moderators know in private. We do not want this to become a widespread problem. We take 'No Shows' very seriously. If you say you will pick up an item, please follow through with the transaction. That goes for both OFFERS and WANTEDS. If you cannot pick up the item or you change your mind about wanting an item, please be considerate to the offerer and at least send them a courtesy email (or phone call) to let them know of the cancelled transaction. Waiting for something that won't happen isn't much fun. When someone posts an OFFER they are gifting an item to the community member who responds. It's inconvenient to say you want something and then fail to follow through with a pickup. Please don't do it. If you are reported for being an unexplained 'No Show' you may be removed from the group. Back to top of page
What is the Café group for?
The Cafe group is a great place to hang out and chat! It can be about Freegle issues, recycling, enviromental issues, local events, or indeed anything else you like (we just ask that you keep things polite and free of religious, political and 'adult' topics). Our members are a mine of useful information too!! It's a welcoming and friendly place, so why not come over and introduce yourself? Back to top of page
How do I unsubscribe?
If you are sure you want to leave us there are two ways you can unsubscribe. You can click on the "Edit Membership" link on your group's home page (see above) and choose to leave the group, or you can send an email to Havering-Freegle-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com from the email address which you subscribed to the group with. If you wish to leave the group because you are receiving too many emails, your settings can easily be changed so that you only view messages on the web page rather than receiving messages to your inbox (see above). If you have any problems, please let us know. If you are leaving the group because you are moving out of the area, please check the UK Freegle website for a link to your nearest group. Back to top of page
I've applied to join the group, but I haven't heard anything. What's happened?
Our group membership is open. When you apply to join the group you should receive a welcome email to your joining email inbox. You are now free to use the group! Back to top of page
What do I really need to know before I start using Havering Freegle?
Messages will be returned to you for editing if the subject line is incorrect.
Subject lines *MUST* be written with the following format
For example:-
We have a Message Maker form. This prompts for correct information and makes posting much easier.
Please do not include phone numbers or addresses. We do not allow them on the group.
Please check the email address you joined up with for any group messages. Also check your junk mail box!
To change membership or message delivery settings please visit the group homepage and click Edit Membership just above the title bar on the left.
Please remember, we are here for the purpose of saving usable items from landfill. We are not Argos so please do not treat the message board as a wish list.
We do not allow Wants or Offers for animals with the exception of fish and small rodents. If you are unsure please contact a moderator.
Be nice! Please treat others how you would like to be treated. Manners are free too!
Keep it free, legal, appropriate for all ages and with no strings attached!
We do not allow borrowing or swapping posts. Please visit our Cafe group for this sort of post.
Please do not ask for an item unless you can definately collect it. 'No shows' are reported to the moderators. If your name is reported you could be banned from the group. If you cannot collect an item, please inform the offerer as soon as possible.
These are our most important rules. By understanding the way the group works you will settle in and enjoy the Freegle experience problem free! Back to top of page