FREECYCLE RULES & ETIQUETTE

Dear Freecycle® Member,

We don't have many rules, but those we do have simply help the group to run effectively - please read them carefully, and save this email for future reference.

NORTHAMPTON NORTH & CENTRAL FREECYCLE RULES & ETIQUETTE

1) KEEP IT FREE, LEGAL & APPROPRIATE FOR ALL AGES. This is our main rule, and means, for example, no alcohol, tobacco, weapons or drugs, (legal or otherwise). Freecycle posts should never involve payment of any kind, including swaps, borrowing or loaning of items.

2) FREECYCLE IS FOR THINGS WE WANT TO KEEP OUT OF LANDFILL. Please, no advertising, no discussion/chat, and no offering or requesting help, advice or services.

3) Messages:

POST WITH THE CORRECT SUBJECT LINE. Sticking to a set format makes it easier for everyone to sort through all the messages on the group. The format is:

OFFER: Sofa - (Your general location) TAKEN: Sofa - (Your general location) * Please only post a TAKEN if you posted the original OFFER.

WANTED: Chairs - (Your general location) RECEIVED: Chairs - (Your general location) * Please only post a RECEIVED if you posted the original WANTED.

Keep your item descriptions and general location short in the subject line - put more detail in the main part of your message. Please think carefully before posting WANTEDS. Remember Freecycle is for items that were going to be binned, and not extravagant things like diamond rings!

ADMIN messages are used by moderators only, and contain important information and announcements.

Please keep all Offered items in one email and all Wanted items in another email, this helps to reduce the amount of emails that we all receive in your Inbox's, and also helps to retain members.

4) RE-POSTS. Please wait one month before re-posting the same OFFER or WANTED message.

5) CROSS-POSTING TO OTHER FREECYCLE GROUPS: Feel free to belong to as many Freecycle groups as you like. However, please offer or request your item on your most local Freecycle group first. If you get no responses after 24-48 hours then post on an alternate group.

6) ANIMALS. Please do not use Freecycle to find new homes for PETS or other animals. A local animal rescue centre is normally the best option if you need to re-home a pet - see http://www.animalrescuers.co.uk/ or see the links section for other local animal rehoming services: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/northamptonUKfreecycle/links

7) DECIDING WHO GETS AN ITEM. You don't have to choose the first recipient. Try to wait a little while to allow people to reply who aren't online all the time. At the end of the day, it's up to you who and how you choose.

8) ARRANGING PICK-UP. Deal with one person at a time. If they fail to respond, consider moving on to someone else, but also be tolerant of people who cannot get online very often. When the item has gone, post a TAKEN message.

9) PERSONAL INFORMATION. Please save personal details (exact address, phone number) for personal emails and do not post them to the group.

You may choose to communicate with other members only by email, and not give out your phone number. Please be understanding if someone else requests this of you.

10) GENERAL SAFETY. If you are concerned about meeting people when alone in the house, you could meet away from home, or perhaps have a friend or relative with you. If anything about any Freecycle contact concerns you, by all means trust your instincts! Always let the moderators know of any concerns.

11) DEALING WITH OTHER MEMBERS. The key here is simply "be nice". Treat others as you would wish to be treated, and Freecycle will continue to be a happy group. If you have a problem with another member, contact the moderators.

12) THE FINAL WORD... With all the above, we operate a "two strikes and you're out" policy. People who continue to break the rules after being warned will be removed from the group.

That covers all the basics of using our Freecycle group. Of course, feel free to ask any questions!

The Moderation Team Northampton North and Central Freecycle®

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Copyright - 2003-2008 The Freecycle Network (http://uk.Freecycle.org). All rights reserved. Freecycle and the Freecycle logo are registered trademarks of the Freecycle Network, Inc. CTM Reg. no. 4287553

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