Manhattan

Welcome to Freecycle - Manhattan!

This Freecycle.org Manhattan Town group matches people who have things they need to get rid of with people who can use them. Our goal is to keep usable items out of the landfill. Another benefit of using Freecycle.org is that it encourages us to get rid of things we no longer need and promotes community involvement in the process.

Good luck, have fun, and thank you for keeping good stuff out of the landfills!

Posting Basics

- When you have an item to offer, please include a photo and describe it well enough that potential recipients will know if it is right for them. Avoid links/urls where possible, and long urls where not possible. If the item is in need of repair or has blemishes, say so. Maybe your recipient likes fixing things up or could use it as a theatrical prop!

- When your item has been taken or changes status, go to My Posts/Manage Post and update the Post Status, accordingly. Posts may be deleted for outdated status. For your benefit, don't mark the item as Taken until it has been picked up by the taker. Consider it "pending pick up", until then.

- Pick up your items as soon as possible or as indicated by the post, and give an accurate time of pick-up, out of courtesy and respect.

- Please set My Settings/General Location to your specific Manhattan neighborhood or nearest cross street, so that recipients will know if they can travel to you or not.

- For elementary posting instructions, please see https://freecycle.helpscoutdocs.com/article/30-make-a-post

Posting Don'ts

- Please don't post in multiple boroughs. If you want to post to all boroughs, join the Town, "New York City", and post there. It is rare, but if the person offering the item is planning to deliver it free of charge, then their post should say so, and then they will be allowed to place the ad in any Town Group they are offering delivery to.

- Don't take anything for the purpose of resale. Resale is not allowed. If you are seeking materials for the making of new products that you plan to sell, that is okay, but advertising or promoting yourself or the business is not okay.

- Don't misuse or overuse, wanted posts. WANTED POSTS ARE TO BE USED SPARINGLY - one item a month at most. Wanted posts on behalf of others are not allowed. Wanted posts requesting expensive, new, or brand-specific items are not allowed, unless a part is needed for a specific brand. Wanted posts for multiple items is not allowed. Freecycle is about keeping used items out of landfills. If you are in need: Search existing offers, and also go to My Settings and set Town Email Preferences to RECEIVE AN EMAIL FOR EVERY NEW POST. If you are still in need, seek out a charity organization.

- Don't dramatize posts: Leave out the reason why you are posting. If you are in a hurry, just state when you need something or when you need it picked up by.

- Don't be bothersome in replies: Don't ask if an item is still available, don't be vague about pickup time, and don't ask for items you cannot pickup within a few days. If you are interested in an item, get to the point and say something like: I'm interested in x-item and can pick it up at y-time on z-date. If you need an item for something specific, say so.

- Don't break your pickup appointment unless you are unavoidably delayed, and if so, call or text to reschedule. But, don't be surprised if the item is then given to someone else who can pick it up sooner.

Overview of Guidelines

1. KEEP IT FREE, LEGAL, and APPROPRIATE FOR ALL AGES. For example: No alcohol, tobacco, firearms or other weapons - No profanity or sexual content - No medications, medical sharps, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, or supplements for humans or animals - No exchanges for money or items, no exceptions, not even for shipping or couriers - All copyrighted material must be the original media - No resaling.

2. WANTED POSTS ARE TO BE USED VERY SPARINGLY - one item a month at most. Wanted posts will be highly moderated.

3. NO RESALING: Items gifted are intended solely for reuse, not resale.

4. NO POLITICS, NO SPAM, NO PERSONAL ATTACKS, RUDENESS, STALKING, OR PROSELYTIZING.

5. NO SWAPS/TRADING. Go to your local swap/trading organization for this. It can be quite fun.

6. NO PERSONAL ADS. There are many fine Internet dating sites better suited to this purpose.

7. NO POSTS ABOUT ANIMALS FOR BREEDING OR FOOD PURPOSES.

8. BE NICE. A brief note on Freecycle etiquette: we are all volunteers and we've got a great little community here so when you arrange to pick up an item from another Freecycle member, it is basic good manners to accommodate them as much as possible in terms of scheduling, and then be punctual; they are, after all, giving you something you need and asking nothing in return except that you will show up when you say you will. Also, unless the giver tells you otherwise, assume that they would like you to come by as soon as you can to take away the item. Arrange pickup as you like, keeping safety in mind.

9. BE A LITTLE CHOOSY. Generally, you'll wait until you get a handful of responses, or maybe overnight, and then you can pick whomever you like! That's half the fun. Consider giving your starving local charity preference if one should respond. Arrange pickup with one person, only, rather than "It's on the stoop/curb, whoever gets here first gets it." Otherwise, you'll become unpopular pretty quickly with your fellow Freecycle members.

10. SAFETY. Wait until you've chosen your recipient before exchanging phone numbers or giving exact building address. Be aware! It is up to each individual Freecycle member, when arranging for pickup of the item being given away, to be appropriately aware of the potential risk of having "a stranger" come to your home to pick something up. Freecycle as an organization assumes no responsibility for this risk. Avoid giving out your apartment number. It is best to bring items out to the entrance of your building rather than letting people in. You may also want to consider arranging a drop-off at a public place. 

For all Freecycle.org guidelines, please see Guidelines and Terms of Service links at the bottom of any site page.

DISCLAIMER 

FREECYCLE NETWORK MEMBERS USE THE LIST AT THEIR OWN RISK. Please take reasonable measures to protect your safety and privacy when posting to the list or participating in an exchange. By joining the list, you agree to hold neither the list owners, moderators, nor anyone affiliated with Freecycle.org responsible or liable for any circumstance resulting from a Freecycle-related exchange or communication.

 

That should just about do it.

Thank you for being a courteous, responsible participant of The Freecycle Network!

Yours truly,

Your local Freecycle.org Moderators

 

 

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