Freegle Reviews 162

TrustScore 3 out of 5

2.9

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Your use of AI for generating wanted post thumbnails is absolutely disgusting - not only from a moral point of view, but also because the generated images are absolute brainrot. Bicycle with cha... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Freegle is great for people giving/receiving legal items for free & no-strings-attached. The site appears to do it's best to protect it's members from weapons, drugs, nefarious items, etc. Anyone... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Freegle is a brilliant way of not only de-cluttering but, as importantly, giving items a second chance and helping others. You would be amazed what other people consider useful. I hate throwing th... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Shame I can't rate Freegle higher than 5 stars. So far I've only given stuff away but I'm so glad it's all gone to good homes & will be used rather than sitting in my cupboards, wardrobes & garage. S... See more

Company replied

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Written by the company

Give and get stuff for free - don't throw it away, give it away


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2.9

Average

TrustScore 3 out of 5

162 reviews

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Absolutely disgusting needless use of AI, total brainrot.

Your use of AI for generating wanted post thumbnails is absolutely disgusting - not only from a moral point of view, but also because the generated images are absolute brainrot. Bicycle with chain on front wheel and two saddles, one on the handlebars? what the hell?

Yeah - why use free public domain images, or ask a volunteer artist to draw you some clipart of most common things, when you can slap AI on it and call it a day? Disgusting, no shame, incompetent and morally questionable.

I don't want to be exposed to such brainrot material and your decision to include this is concerning.

After 6 years, I no longer want anything to do with you and I will be using the other "Free(re)cycling" website, instead.

1 January 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from Freegle

Hi Chris
There is evidence to support that adding pictures to posts does increase response from others. Photos are rarely added to Wanted posts. We did not want to use a stock image because that might show something that isn't really what the member wanted - most want something generic eg a bed, a sofa, some kitchen equipment etc. So we thought we would try AI generated drawings.

We are sorry you don't like them; a number of others have found them amusing. However we are willing to try something else. If you should know of an artist who would volunteer to draw some for us for free, then please let us know and we will give it a go.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Freegle is great for people…

Freegle is great for people giving/receiving legal items for free & no-strings-attached. The site appears to do it's best to protect it's members from weapons, drugs, nefarious items, etc.
Anyone trying to pass believed counterfeit or otherwise illegal items (for free or for sale) via such as Freegle, should be aware, that activity is illegal & they are liable to prosecution.
Regarding people not collecting items, I'd give them a thumbs-down (to warn other members - at least that's possible on Freegle, unlike some websites) &, in fairness to Freegle, they can't be held responsible for supposed collectors not turning up.
Just today, I had very pleasant communications with a someone kindly prepared to allow me to collect two listed items this-afternoon, with a generous collection time-window, one I will fit shortly & one I'll use tomorrow.
I've also gifted a number of items previously, pleased they're going to be used & not going to landfill.

28 December 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from Freegle

Thank you for your positive reply John and we are pleased to have you as a member of our reuse community.

Regarding your comments re counterfeit items (presumably you read the previous review!) - there is no selling on Freegle, everything has to be freely offered, and it is not illegal to pass these items on, as long as it is made clear that they are counterfeit/fake. So there is no question of our members being liable for prosecution for doing this. Many groups do not allow such items to be offered; all groups are autonomous and can choose whether they allow these or not.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Waste of time.

In my experience, Freegle is full of time wasters. People contact asking for things with no 'please' or 'thank you' - I just ignore them.
I have given/offered several items which I suspect the recipient may go on to sell.
Thats up to them, but on the whole I don't feel people are genuine; theyre usually rude and often don't reply when I offer the item to them.
Waste of time.

11 October 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from Freegle

Hi Freddie

I am sorry you have had a bad experience when using our site. Like other free sites, we do get our share of time wasters but the majority of our members are lovely and just want to see stuff reused rather than it go to landfill.

Perhaps we could ask you to notify your group moderators if any other member is rude to you as we ask everyone to deal with other members politely and help build a friendly community.

Thank you for taking the time to post a review and we do hope that your previous experience will not put you off using the site.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Newcastle site where the moderators…

Newcastle site where the moderators claim to have 20 000 members but only have 6 advertisements. Then get pissy and lecture you because you post a wanted add as they have nothing browse through. In other words they are liars. Bonny trying to tell me not to give people a phone number, it, s my phone and upto me, so wind your neck in.

21 July 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from Freegle

Hi, I'm sorry you are unhappy with our site. I don't really understand what you mean by only having 6 advertisements though. Newcastle is quite a busy group and on a spot check just now I can see they have over 80 posts either requesting or offering items to other members.

As to telephone numbers, most groups do not allow these or addresses in posts as our website is open for anyone to read. You can give the details to anyone that replies to you of course, as you know they will be members. We took this action after some members had distressing experiences with unwanted telephone calls late at night or people turning up at their homes. We take the safety and security of our members very seriously.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Freegle works

Freegle works. Your experience may vary depending on what part of the country you live in, Britain is changing. I have been in Freegle over 10 years, and had many experiences of getting and giving things, all in the Merseyside, Lancashire region. It is totally free, and common sense is required to avoid situations. Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself and you will benefit from Freegle.

19 April 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from Freegle

Sorry for the late reply. Just to say thank you for giving us this review and pleased to have you as a long standing member of Freegle

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I agree with some of the reviews on…

I agree with some of the reviews on here! Started using Freegle a few years ago - it was a great way to recycle unwanted items. Now my belief is it is used by some individual/group scammers/crooks - possibly a means of checking out where you live & then using your messages to know when you’re at home or not!
Of course you can “block” them but there’s nothing to stop them opening new/multiple accounts!

27 March 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from Freegle

Hi Janice, I am really sorry you feel like this. We never give out people's addresses or other details, in fact we do not know them and only a very general area is shown on any post you make offering an item.

The only time anyone gets your address is when you give it when offering an item to them. We recommend not giving this until you have arranged an actual time and date for collection. This also tends to cut out the time-wasters we all suffer from occasionally.

If you have any information that there are people checking where you live and when you are at home for reasons other than for freegling items, please send this to our Support Team at support@ilovefreegle.org. We take the safety and security of our members very seriously.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Why I have quit Freegle.

I have quit Freegle after five years membership. I found its main business of exchanging unwanted goods very useful. However they have a secondary feature, called chitchat, a mini social media facility in which you are encouraged to introduce yourself and discuss relevant issues. This has become a place of endless recurring nasty arguments about the same petty subjects, and no one in charge tries to stop them. Worse, I received a tirade of abuse from a moderator who was assisted by someone, probably a friend of hers, who called me a bully and misogynist, and this all went unchallenged by anyone else. The way she addressed me still makes me angry. Of course I could just use the service without reading the chitchat, but but don't feel like doing that. But I'm sure they'll have their own ready answers, so I'm saying this for what it's worth. Thank you.

7 October 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Account closed for no reason

Have used Freegle for a long time, never actually taken anything from others but have given away around 100 items.

Just tried to log in again after a couple of months and they tell me my account has been deleted for no reason whatsoever. They said I withdrew some items last month which were actually from over 8 years ago! Their system is a complete mess, I won't be bothering to make another account after this.

8 September 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Amazing site

9 July 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Freegle

Thank you Nico - great to have you as a member of our reuse organisation.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

A real online community

I appreciate what Freegle does & stands for. I like that Freegle is a real online community, nationwide & led by core values & principles, with genuine democracy to decision-making.

23 June 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Freegle

Thank you for taking the time to write us a review JH. Pleased to have you as part of our community.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Awful moderators

Awful moderators.

I've had rude emails nitpicking about the content of my listings.

Everything from remarking my stuff is trash and disallowing it; to overreach of responsibility extending to health and safety precautions; to incorrectly assigning donation of wood as "illegal"; to getting unfairly banned for questioning them on their operations after pointing out there are no grounds for their actions based on their own policies.

After raising a complaint, Freegle shared me their list of prohibited items. When I referred them to my history of list of offered goods which had never met the criteria, they banned me for being "argumentative"

Jobsworths recruited as moderators. Tone of emails is condescending.

Hertford spitefully removed all my listings within seconds and suspended my account.

One of Hertford's moderators is an unpleasant, old battleaxe who, on one occasion, small-mindedly and abruptly rejected a post on the basis the title had too many characters in it!

One experience about wood involved having a post rejected on the basis it could not be confirmed whether or not it had been treated, which is none of their concern as health and safety is outside of their remit.

When confronted about this, they replied they were sorry to hear that I was not concerned about health and safety in an entirely false, presumptive manner. The audacity of being spoken to like that!

It is obstacle-ridden experience which only serves to frustrate and delay participating in a circular economy.

Their ombudsman service lacks transparency and is a partial process which automatically sides with Freegle's moderators: raising a complaint with them is a total waste of time.

Their concern is retaining their jobsworth volunteers rather than user experience.

25 May 2024
Unprompted review
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Reply from Freegle

This review is factually incorrect. Neither of her offers were refused from publication. She asked for the post offering wood to be withdrawn herself. It was suggested that the title of the other post be shortened as it was too long but it was still published.

The ombudsman found her claims unfounded and membership of two groups was withdrawn due her abusive emails to local volunteers.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Free website, reuse - what's there not like?!

Free website for getting us all to reuse items. Overall I've met really nice people who give and take items, and it's been a great experience over the years. Friendly and helpful volunteers who seem to always be available with good advice whenever needed!

8 June 2024
Unprompted review
Freegle logo

Reply from Freegle

Thank you for taking the time to give us this review. Glad you have had a good experience using our site - we try to do our best - but it's our members and volunteers that make the difference.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Disgusting behaviour by so called moderators

Absolutely disgusting behavior by the moderator just because I advised her that her attitude stinks and advised her what a recumbent bike is and got banned from groups. I have been a member of freegle/Trash Nothing for years and since moving to my local area i have had nothing but issue after issue. no warning no nothing. im disabled and rely on the free sites as stuff is expensive for a disabled person. that moderator needs to be taught some lessons in customer service.

4 February 2024
Unprompted review
Freegle logo

Reply from Freegle

Hi Mark
I am sorry you have been having problems. Without know which group you are referring to, it is difficult to give a definite answer to this. Can we ask you to send details to support@ilovefreegle.org so that we can have a look and see what is going on.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

No sign of me giving items

Freegle is a great concept,yeah right, stuff is advertised but when it's gone ppl don't delete sometimes it's marked as gifted or promised but hey if it's gone delete it otherwise ppl who don't know are sending wasted messages I have been on a fortnight and not one message in reply also I placed two two ads on to give away a tool box and another for some really useful wood my ads nowhere to be seen both with photos I'm giving up can't abide ignorance

29 January 2024
Unprompted review
Freegle logo

Reply from Freegle

Hi James

I am sorry you seem to be having some problems. Unfortunately without knowing which group you belong to, it is difficult to give you a definitive answer re your posts that you say you cannot see on our site. If you could send details to support@ilovefreegle.org then we can look into it for you.

Also re your other point, we do not delete items marked as "promised" as sometimes arrangments fall through and then the item can be offered to someone else. Once an item has been taken we ask members to send in the notification and then it is marked as such. Unfortunately some members delay sending in the notification and then it does lead to wasted messages.

I hope this answers your queries and please do contact us about your missing posts as we would like to sort this out for you.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Didn't Join but Can't Escape

Went to use to supplement Freecycle listing, but stopped (for security reasons) when I saw the site didn't seem to require a log-in profile BUT Freecycle has, somehow, still onboarded me and bombards me with emails all the time. Unable to unsubscribe due to not having actually subscribed, so have none of the required details to log in to unsubscribe!?

9 November 2023
Unprompted review
Freegle logo

Reply from Freegle

Hi
I am sorry for the delay in replying. We are somewhat confused by your review and not sure if you think we are the same as Freecycle, which is a separate organisation. We think it unlikely that these emails are coming from us as you obviously did not complete joining - we would have asked you for your email address and postcode at that point. However assuming you are receiving some communications from Freegle, can we ask you to forward one to support@ilovefreegle.org please. We would like to be able to sort this for you if we can.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

As good as the people who use it.

Freegle is as good as the people who use it. One person asked me to collect a table at 5pm but she wasn't there, so I had a wasted journey. When I offered something, one person set off without my address, without an Offer or Promise (Freegle's way of saying 'come and collect it') and without an agreed time, so she was disappointed of course. I've made a few other Freegle finds and been very happy with the result. As I said, Freegle connects the giver and the collector but you can't blame Freegle if one of those people is unreliable.

21 October 2023
Unprompted review
Freegle logo

Reply from Freegle

Thank you for taking the time to write us a review John. We are glad that you are happy with the site. We do try to make it easy for people to contact each other and encourage them to let others know if the item is no longer available or they cannot collect as advised - but sometimes people are people and just forget and let others down.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I have been a Freegler for many years

I have been a Freegler for many years, and it is Fantastic! I'm always amazed at the generosity of others, and the things that are kept out of landfill and in use by this volunteer run organisation. Sometimes an individual member is a let-down, but that would be like criticising Asda or Tesco's fir the way someone pushes a trolley! It's email site address is accurate - I LOVE FREEGLE!!

24 September 2023
Unprompted review
Freegle logo

Reply from Freegle

Hi Elaine, Thank you so much for your review. We always love hearing from long-standing members and are so glad you like our site. You obviously put it to good use!

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