FC Moderators Manual - ADMIN - Inappropriate For List (Sales/Services).

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ADMIN - Inappropriate For List (Sales/Services)

ADMIN Notices - Inappropriate Posts for Group List - Sales/Services Requested

***Replace all XXX references with your local group name***

Example #1 - Garage Sales

Dear XXX Member,

Thanks for participating in our Freecycle(TM) group.

Following the guidelines makes participation easier for all members.

Your post was not approved due to the following reason:

Garage sale posts of any kind are not allowed, this includes links for garage sale type groups. The only kind of posts regarding 'sales' that are allowed is if you are having a totally free day, and then those posts are only allowed after the sale is over and not before.

Please refer to the group guidelines that you were sent upon joining if you have any further questions about the rules of the group.

Your XXX Freecycle Moderators
XXX-owner@yahoogroups.com

Example #2 - Services Requested

Hello,

I am sorry, but this message is inappropriate for Freecycle(TM). You cannot request services or information on Freecycle. It is not a community bulletin board for finding jobs, rentals, dentists, mechanics, or advertising our businesses and services or special events. All messages must be posted for items that are either offered or asked for FREE, with no strings attached. You are more than welcome to post OFFERs to give away unsold product, returns, discontinued items, surplus goods and fixtures, castoffs from manufacturing processes, and unwanted or misprinted office supplies. In addition you are welcome to post WANTEDs for items you need for your business; if you are planning on selling any of the items you request we highly recommend that you kindly include that information in your posting in the interest of full disclosure.

Your XXX Freecycle Moderators
XXX-owner@yahoogroups.com

Example #3 - Offering to Pay for Goods and/or Services

Dear Member,

Thanks for participating in our Freecycle(TM) group.

Following the guidelines makes participation easier for all members.

Your post was not approved due to the following reason:

You cannot offer to pay for goods or services in your post. Please remove any references to money before reposting.

Please refer to the group guidelines that you were sent upon joining if you have any further questions about the rules of the group.

Your XXX Freecycle Moderators
XXX-owner@yahoogroups.com

Example #4 - When Freecycle <gasp> ISN'T Enough! - Referrals to Services

Please remember that linking or referring people to services that buy or sell like That "List" Named For That Guy or That Huge Auction Site is not allowed on Freecycle(TM) groups. If you have a need to buy or sell something, and you don't know where to go, you can ask for advice on <INSERT LOCAL CAFE GROUP HERE>, a chat group for YOURCity/County that allows coupons, recommendations for services and where to buy/find items, and other advice and information about our community. (Everything offered, like coupons, must still be free, but advice about paying/selling is OK.)

Picky? Maybe. But that's what The Freecycle Network(TM) has decided to do in order to keep from sending people to one particular site that might not be right for them, from seeming to endorse those sites, and just to keep the main Freecycle groups about keeping items out of landfills... not for advice. And come on, who here didn't know which sites were being referred to in that first sentence of this post? Raise your hands....

It's OK, you can't use Freecycle for everything :D

Your XXX Freecycle Moderators
XXX-owner@yahoogroups.com

(Courtesy of, Max H., Olney, Maryland Freecycle Owner - adapted/edited accordingly for use)

Example #5 - Taglines, Sales Links and Services

Dear Freecycle(TM) Member,

Your post was not approved for XXX Freecycle. Taglines that advertise selling, home businesses, or anything regarding sales, services or exchange of items for money are not permitted on Freecycle lists.

You may resubmit your request with the information removed. Thank you.

Your XXX Freecycle Moderators
XXX-owner@yahoogroups.com

Example #6 - No Shows/Soliciting for Sales

ADMIN: No Shows/Soliciting for Sales

Dear Members,

I want to briefly touch on two issues that were recently brought to our attention. The first is NO SHOWS. Quite simply, if you say you will pick up an item, please follow through with picking it up. If you cannot pick it up or you change your mind about wanting the item, the least you can do is send a courtesy email to the person who promised you their Offer.

When someone posts an OFFER, they are gifting an item to the community member who responds. It's rude to say you want something and then fail to follow through with a pickup. Waiting around for a no show is time consuming and rude. Please don't do it. Word does get around in a small group. If there are no shows, please let us know. We do not want this to become a widespread problem.

Secondly, if you have an item to offer and someone comes to pick it up, the transaction should be limited to the exchange of the item. Do NOT solicit for sales. That is strictly forbidden on Freecycle(TM). Again, word gets around. If this happens on a recurring basis, you will be removed from the group.

If anyone has any concerns, please drop us a line. We are here to ensure the group runs without snags and is safe and fun for all our group members.

Thank you!

Your XXX Freecycle Moderators
XXX-owner@yahoogroups.com