Difference between revisions of "Moderator Manual:Common Issues"

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'''This page has moved here: https://freecycle.org/pages/ModManual/CommonIssues'''
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== Common issues encountered by moderators ==
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These are common scenarios that moderators often encounter, along with links to relevant notices.
The notices are one-time notes that you might send out on occasion to the whole group as a specific situation arises.  
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*ANIMAL POSTINGS. Posts for animal breeding or use as food are NOT allowed. Otherwise, this is a local decision. [[Moderator_Manual:Files_pets|Click here for more information about pet posts on Freecycle.]]  
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*ANIMAL FUR, IVORY AND BONE PRODUCTS. Occasional posts may come up offering fur or other products made from animals. If you have reason to believe that the fur being offered or asked for is endangered, you can check the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) website [http://www.cites.org/ http://www.cites.org/] or the World Wildlife Directory [https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/directory?direction=desc&sort=extinction_status www.worldwildlife.org/species/directory].  
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:UK specific site: DEFRA (Department of the Environment, Fishing and Rural Affairs) website http://www.defra.gov.uk/
 
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*CAR SEATS. You might want to send out the following statement: "If you are receiving a baby/child item, it is your responsibility to check for recalls and safety." The following links provide excellent information and you may also want to add them to your links page:
<br>  
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**The Consumer Product Safety Commission website: http://www.cpsc.gov.
 
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**UK specific: [http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/ http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/]  
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**Australia: [https://www.productsafety.gov.au/ Product Safety Australia]
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*CHARITY ORGANIZATIONS. Local charities are especially welcomed. Charities need to follow the same rules as individual members. [[How_To_Use_Freecycle#Can_nonprofits_use_Freecycle.org.3F|We encourage members to give preference to nonprofits.]]
| [[ModsManual:Notices challenges|ADMIN - Group Challenges]]
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*COURIER SCAMS. Sometimes a member will offer to arrange a courier for delivery of an item, upfront payment requested, for the sole purpose of fleecing members. [[Spammers|Click here to find out how to report scams.]]  
| Inspire your group with different challenges, clean out varous parts of their property. - <br>NOTE:NEEDS WORK
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*CROSS-POSTING. Posting the same thing on two or more Freecycle.org sites at the same time. Some groups try to control this and forbid cross posting, but it is almost impossible to enforce a no cross-posting rule for members who are not on moderation. Rather than not allowing cross-posting, we suggest waiting 24 hours to approve a crosspost when you see it.
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<span id="CurbAlerts"></span>
| [[ModsManual:Notices christmas|ADMIN - Christmas Shopping!]]  
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*CURB ALERTS. Please do not allow curb-alert posts. [[Moderator_Manual:Responses_curbside#Curb_posts_rejection_note|Click here for a rejection note.]]<BR>
| Hi Group Well, it is that time of the year again. Halloween is over, Dentists are happily taking appointments for orthodontic toffee removal and Freecycle members everywhere can emerge from their homes safe from persecution by mini-ghosts and elves. Only to be faced by the terror of pre-Christmas shopping crowds.
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*EMAIL ADDRESS OR ID IS OFFENSIVE. Please contact your [[Moderator_Manual:How_to_Contact_Your_GOA|GOA]] before rejecting an offensive email address or ID.
|-
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*EMOTIONAL DETAILS. Posters do not have to justify any Wanted requests made, and sometimes it just needs to be stated that some posts are over the top. [[Moderator_Manual:Sample_notices_and_responses#Emotional_details|Click here for sample responses]].
| [[ModsManual:Notices craft|ADMIN - Challenge - Craft and Hobby]]
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*FOOD. There is no official policy on whether or not food can be offered on Freecycle. USE BEFORE dates are generally important dates after which there may be a risk to the consumer, whereas BEST BY dates are manufacturers' suggestions usually without significant safety concerns. However, some members may have a use even for expired food.
| See what you have lying around from your crafts and hobbies that you can share with someone else!
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*FREECYCLE.ORG IS NOT A CHARITY. Many members misunderstand our purpose. It is a recycling organization dedicated to keeping stuff out of the landfill by re homing it. Members may give their items to anyone they please. It is not based on who needs it most.  
|-
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*FUEL/Diesel/Gas/Petrol costs. Members may not ask for reimbursement for fuel costs.
| [[ModsManual:Notices crossposting|ADMIN - Crossposting]]
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*GARAGE SALES, YARD SALES, and BOOT SALES. Members may post the free remainders from their garage sale if they don't include the time of the sale. The Sale itself cannot be advertised.
| Cross-posting is sending your Offer or Wanted request to more than one group at a time.<br>Why it is not wanted on Freecycle.
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* INAPPROPRIATE RESPONSES TO POSTS. Members will occasionally receive inappropriate responses to their posts. '''Always ask them to forward the email to you for verification.''' Inappropriate responses include such things as:
|-
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:*Responding to a Wanted post with an offer to sell the requested item. These are often from well-meaning members who are willing to part with an item, just not for free. One warning is usually all it takes, but if it happens again, remove the member from your group and [[Moderator_Manual:How_to_Contact_Your_GOA|contact your GOA]].
| [[ModsManual:Notices description|ADMIN - Description of Items]]
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:*Responding with profane, abusive or obscene language: Remove the member from your group and forward the email to [[Moderator_Manual:How_to_Contact_Your_GOA|your GOA]].
| When posting your items to the list, make sure that the item offered is accurately described.
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:*Responding with spam: See section on [[Spammers|reporting a spammer]]
|-
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*IS A POST APPROPRIATE FOR FREECYCLE.ORG? This is NOT a required rule but a lot of groups use it to decide the answer. [[Moderator_Manual:Sample_notices_and_responses#Landfill_test|“Is it a tangible item that can be saved from the landfill?”]]
| [[ModsManual:Notices heat|ADMIN - Too Hot... Be Nice]]
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*MODERATOR INFORMATION SHARING. Some groups with multiple mods share information about moderated members using a shared spreadsheet with columns for ID, email address, Date, Reason, Notes, by moderator, comments or whatever categories are appropriate. Then other mod/s can see why they are on moderation and if it should be permanent or temporary.
| In heat waves, tempers may be raised - Be nice please
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*NO SHOWS. No shows are a problem throughout the worldwide Freecycle Network. Sadly, there are people who pounce on every item that looks remotely valuable and immediately send a quick "I'll take it" just to get dibs on being first. [[Moderator_Manual:Sample_notices_and_responses#No_shows|Click here for sample notices]].
|-
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*PROBLEM MEMBERS. Consult your GOA. The GOA has the authority and experience to handle problems with members.
| [[ModsManual:Notices holiday|ADMIN - Holiday Requests]]  
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*RESELLING. It is required by TFN that intention to resell must be announced up front, either as a response to an Offer post or in the original Wanted post. See [[Reseller_Guidelines| Reseller Guidelines]] for more information.
| Holidays are approaching, how to deal with excess WANTED posts and charity Requests
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*SCAMMERS. Delivery and postage scams are abundant, despite the best efforts of the Spam Control team. If a member asks for money for any reason it is a violation of Freecycle's Terms of Service. [[Spammers|Click here to find out how to report scams.]]
|-
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*SERVICES. [[Moderator_Manual:Sample_notices_and_responses#Advertising_or_Soliciting_Services|Advertising or soliciting services is not allowed]]
| [[ModsManual:Notices ideas|Notrces - ideas]]
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*SPAMMERS. Anyone sending a spam message to be posted on the group needs to be dealt with firmly. This includes sales people, social networking sites, etc. Any attempt to make a post that has nothing to do with the Freecycle.org purpose is spam. Sometimes good member’s email gets hacked and spam sent that appears to have come from them. If it is a regular member, you can act accordingly, by placing them back on moderation and writing them a letter about it. But if it is a new member who has just joined to send spam, [[Spammers|please report them to Spam Control.]]  
| Ideas to find offers, during the holidays.
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*STRANGE STUFF. Some medical supplies should be researched to determine if they need a prescription or are safe to pass on used. Anything that requires a prescription cannot be posted. Not a clue? Ask your [[Moderator_Manual:How_to_Contact_Your_GOA|GOA]] or on the [https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/FreecycleLeadershipCommunity/info Freecycle Leadership Community].
|-
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*WEAPON. What is a weapon? Just use your good common sense. A gun is a weapon, a case knife is not..
| [[ModsManual:Notices landfills|ADMIN Notices - Proof that animals end up in landfills]]  
 
|
 
|-
 
| [[ModsManual:Notices moderated|Notices - How Messages Are Moderated]]
 
| A Message on How We Moderate Messages
 
|-
 
| [[ModsManual:Notices newgroup|ADMIN Notices - New Group Announcements]]
 
| Advertise a new group in the area (Group split)..
 
|-
 
|  [[ModsManual:Notices noshows|ADMIN - No shows]]
 
| Several admins regarding people not showing up when arranged.
 
|-
 
|  [[ModsManual:Notices notwanted|ADMIN: Not getting what you Wanted?]]
 
|
 
|-
 
[[ModsManual:Notices octopus|ADMIN - Purple Octopus]]
 
| What Freecycle is / is not about
 
|-
 
[[ModsManual:Notices promote|ADMIN - Promote Your Group Challenge!]]
 
| This months challenge is: Promoting Your Group
 
|-
 
|  [[ModsManual:Notices receivedtaken|Notices - Using Received vs. Taken in Subject Lines]]
 
| Using Received vs. Taken in Subject lines
 
|-
 
[[ModsManual:Notices reseller|Notices - Reseller Guidelines]]
 
| Local policy dictates whether or not resellers are permitted to post to individual Freecycle(TM) lists. This ADMIN is provided as a guideline for resellers in the event this optional policy is adopted.
 
|-
 
|  [[ModsManual:Notices safety|Notices - Phone Numbers and Addresses]]
 
| Freecycle(TM) discourages phone numbers and addresses in message posts. It is simply a matter of safety.  
 
|-
 
[[ModsManual:Notices seasonal|Seasonal Notices in Freecycle]]
 
| Links to other 'seasonal' notices NOTE: Needs WORK
 
|-
 
| [[ModsManual:Notices sob|Notices - Sob Stories]]  
 
| There is no requirement listed that states a poster has to justify any requests made, and sometimes it just needs to be stated that some posts are over the top.  
 
|-
 
| [[ModsManual:Notices software|Notices - Distribution of Software, CDs, DVDs, et al]]
 
| Software and other forms of media fall under Copyright agreements. This message serves to clarify this group's stance on the distribution of software, CDs, DVDs, VHS tapes, recorded music, taped media and other printed materials via Freecycle(TM).
 
|-
 
[[ModsManual:Notices soliciting|Notices - When Members Solicit Sales in Response to a WANTED Post]]
 
| Soliciting sales is not permitted on Freecycle(TM) lists. This ADMIN is provided to address the group as a whole when members are attempting to solicit sales from other members who have requested items as a WANTED on local groups.
 
|-
 
[[ModsManual:Notices three|Notices - Reduce, Reuse and Recycle]]
 
| The 3 R's - Everyone Can Offer Up Something
 
|-
 
[[ModsManual:Notices tickets|Notices - Freecycle and Tickets, Coupons, etc]]
 
| The official XXXX Freecycle policy on coupons, tickets, etc is that they can be OFFERED, but not asked for.
 
|-
 
[[ModsManual:Notices topost|Notices - To Post or Not to Post... That is the Question]]
 
| This makes it quite easy to pick any item and run it through a series of questions that will give you a definitive answer on whether or not it meets guidelines according to Freecycle (International) criteria.
 
|-
 
[[ModsManual:Notices treasure|Notices - Traveling Treasure Box]]
 
| The premise behind this concept is to find new homes for smaller items, foster community spirit between the many swaps that occur on the Box's journey, and make a friend or two along the way!
 
|}
 
 
 
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== More sample notices and responses==
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[[Moderator_Manual:Sample_notices_and_responses|Click here for sample group notices and responses]]
 
<br> {{ModsManualFooter}}
 
<br> {{ModsManualFooter}}
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</small></small>

Latest revision as of 16:22, 15 June 2021

This page has moved here: https://freecycle.org/pages/ModManual/CommonIssues

Common issues encountered by moderators

These are common scenarios that moderators often encounter, along with links to relevant notices.

UK specific site: DEFRA (Department of the Environment, Fishing and Rural Affairs) website http://www.defra.gov.uk/
  • CAR SEATS. You might want to send out the following statement: "If you are receiving a baby/child item, it is your responsibility to check for recalls and safety." The following links provide excellent information and you may also want to add them to your links page:
  • CHARITY ORGANIZATIONS. Local charities are especially welcomed. Charities need to follow the same rules as individual members. We encourage members to give preference to nonprofits.
  • COURIER SCAMS. Sometimes a member will offer to arrange a courier for delivery of an item, upfront payment requested, for the sole purpose of fleecing members. Click here to find out how to report scams.
  • CROSS-POSTING. Posting the same thing on two or more Freecycle.org sites at the same time. Some groups try to control this and forbid cross posting, but it is almost impossible to enforce a no cross-posting rule for members who are not on moderation. Rather than not allowing cross-posting, we suggest waiting 24 hours to approve a crosspost when you see it.

  • CURB ALERTS. Please do not allow curb-alert posts. Click here for a rejection note.
  • EMAIL ADDRESS OR ID IS OFFENSIVE. Please contact your GOA before rejecting an offensive email address or ID.
  • EMOTIONAL DETAILS. Posters do not have to justify any Wanted requests made, and sometimes it just needs to be stated that some posts are over the top. Click here for sample responses.
  • FOOD. There is no official policy on whether or not food can be offered on Freecycle. USE BEFORE dates are generally important dates after which there may be a risk to the consumer, whereas BEST BY dates are manufacturers' suggestions usually without significant safety concerns. However, some members may have a use even for expired food.
  • FREECYCLE.ORG IS NOT A CHARITY. Many members misunderstand our purpose. It is a recycling organization dedicated to keeping stuff out of the landfill by re homing it. Members may give their items to anyone they please. It is not based on who needs it most.
  • FUEL/Diesel/Gas/Petrol costs. Members may not ask for reimbursement for fuel costs.
  • GARAGE SALES, YARD SALES, and BOOT SALES. Members may post the free remainders from their garage sale if they don't include the time of the sale. The Sale itself cannot be advertised.
  • INAPPROPRIATE RESPONSES TO POSTS. Members will occasionally receive inappropriate responses to their posts. Always ask them to forward the email to you for verification. Inappropriate responses include such things as:
  • Responding to a Wanted post with an offer to sell the requested item. These are often from well-meaning members who are willing to part with an item, just not for free. One warning is usually all it takes, but if it happens again, remove the member from your group and contact your GOA.
  • Responding with profane, abusive or obscene language: Remove the member from your group and forward the email to your GOA.
  • Responding with spam: See section on reporting a spammer
  • IS A POST APPROPRIATE FOR FREECYCLE.ORG? This is NOT a required rule but a lot of groups use it to decide the answer. “Is it a tangible item that can be saved from the landfill?”
  • MODERATOR INFORMATION SHARING. Some groups with multiple mods share information about moderated members using a shared spreadsheet with columns for ID, email address, Date, Reason, Notes, by moderator, comments or whatever categories are appropriate. Then other mod/s can see why they are on moderation and if it should be permanent or temporary.
  • NO SHOWS. No shows are a problem throughout the worldwide Freecycle Network. Sadly, there are people who pounce on every item that looks remotely valuable and immediately send a quick "I'll take it" just to get dibs on being first. Click here for sample notices.
  • PROBLEM MEMBERS. Consult your GOA. The GOA has the authority and experience to handle problems with members.
  • RESELLING. It is required by TFN that intention to resell must be announced up front, either as a response to an Offer post or in the original Wanted post. See Reseller Guidelines for more information.
  • SCAMMERS. Delivery and postage scams are abundant, despite the best efforts of the Spam Control team. If a member asks for money for any reason it is a violation of Freecycle's Terms of Service. Click here to find out how to report scams.
  • SERVICES. Advertising or soliciting services is not allowed
  • SPAMMERS. Anyone sending a spam message to be posted on the group needs to be dealt with firmly. This includes sales people, social networking sites, etc. Any attempt to make a post that has nothing to do with the Freecycle.org purpose is spam. Sometimes good member’s email gets hacked and spam sent that appears to have come from them. If it is a regular member, you can act accordingly, by placing them back on moderation and writing them a letter about it. But if it is a new member who has just joined to send spam, please report them to Spam Control.
  • STRANGE STUFF. Some medical supplies should be researched to determine if they need a prescription or are safe to pass on used. Anything that requires a prescription cannot be posted. Not a clue? Ask your GOA or on the Freecycle Leadership Community.
  • WEAPON. What is a weapon? Just use your good common sense. A gun is a weapon, a case knife is not..

More sample notices and responses

Click here for sample group notices and responses



Contact Us: Click here for FAQ queries.- Click here for all other queries.


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