What items can I list?
You can list almost anything on e-Cycled that you want to give away for free. The most common items that e-Cycled users have listed on the site are sofas, fridges, washing machines, beds, furniture, computer equipment and appliances. But e-Cycled users have also successfully listed things like building materials, musical instruments, car parts, exercise equipment and plants.
Listings that contain items for sale, or advertisements for services are not permitted. You may like to try sites like eBay or the trading post for these.
Creating a listing
To create a listing on the site, first you need to register and choose a username of between 6 and 12 characters. Your username will then appear alongside your listings.
To create a listing, select Create a Listing from the left menu bar and follow the links to your local area. Choose the duration of time for which you want your listing to appear and fill in the details about your item. The more detail you can provide, the more likely it is that people will contact you. There is an option to upload a photo - we strongly recommend that you do.
Adding photos
Listings with photos are more popular. By including a photo with your listing it may make your item move faster. It is best to use a relatively low resolution photo (640px x 480px). Save the photo to a folder on your computer, you can then "browse" to the folder and select the photo to upload.
Confirming your listing
Once you have completed the details for your listing and uploaded a photo (if available), you must preview your listing and confirm it. Your listing will then appear on the site.
Updating, Renewing and Removing your listing
Once you have successfully posted your item, you can view, edit, renew or remove your listing at any time by logging into the site and going to 'my-eCycled'.
When you have e-Cycled your item, make sure you login and go to 'my-eCycled'. View 'my active listings' and remove your listing. This will take your listing down straight away and prevent people from trying to contact you about your item when it is no longer available.
Wanted listings
E-cycled is intended primarily as a site to be used by people who have things they wish to give away for free. 'Wanted' listings are tolerated in so far as they contribute to the goal of preventing items from being thrown away which could instead go to someone who has a use for them. We ask that users do not place more than one wanted listing on the site at any one time. We also reserve the right to remove any wanted listings without notice which are considered to be inappropriate, or when the number of wanted listings outnumbers the give-away listings.
Reporting abuse
If you see a listing on e-Cycled that offers goods or services for sale, is objectionable, or you have difficulties in dealing with an e-Cycled user, please report misuse noting the listing number or e-Cycled username.
Tips for e-Cycling
In many ways, using e-Cycled is just like putting up (or responding to) a notice on a traditional community noticeboard, or a classified ad in a newspaper, and you should go about using e-Cycled in the same way. Here’s some tips we recommend you follow:
Don’t disclose any personal information in your listing.
We strongly recommend that you don’t put any personal information about yourself in a listing on e-Cycled. No one needs to know anything more than a description of the item, and the postcode or general location where it can be picked up.
Exchange telephone numbers
When someone contacts you through an e-mail sent from the e-Cycled site to arrange collection of your item, we recommend that you exchange telephone numbers. That way, if you are unsure or wary about your dealings with another e-cycled user you can contact them by telephone to verify their identity, and to confirm any arrangements for collection.
Only make a time for collection you know you can keep
There’s nothing more annoying than making a time for someone to collect an item, and have them not turn up. Not only is this rude, it also means the e-cycled user may be less willing to put, or respond to, a listing on the site in the future, which is bad for the whole e-Cycled community. Remember that people don’t always regularly check their e-mails or telephone messages, so even if you try to change the arrangements at the last minute, your message may not get through.
Consider making an arrangement for collection which is not at your home
If possible, try to make an arrangement for collection that doesn’t involve the other person having to visit your home. While this may not be possible for larger items, as a general rule it’s a good idea to try to do this.
Always treat other e-cycled users with respect and courtesy
There’s never any justification for being rude or ill-mannered towards another e-Cycled user, even when arrangements for collection go wrong. The success of e-Cycled depends on users being respectful and courteous towards each other at all times, and conduct which is bad-mannered will not be tolerated. Please report any incidences of misuse or improper conduct to the e-Cycled administrator.
