Help

On this page we have tried to provide a answers to most of your questions.

If there is anything we have missed you can contact us through or Online Form or by emailing us at info@freetradeireland.ie 

Q1. What is Free Trade Ireland?

Q2. How does it work?

Q3. How do I search for an item?

Q4. How do I register and get started?

Q5. How do I post an item notice?

Q6. How do I pass on items safely?

Q7. How do I set-up saved searches?

Q8. Who will Free Trade Ireland benefit?

Q9. Can I post items for sale?

Q10. Can animals or pets be posted on the site?

Q11. What can I do if I think an ad is inappropriate?

Q12. Does FreeTrade Ireland have a Privacy Policy?

Q13. Where can I view the FreeTrade user agreement?

Q1. What is Free Trade Ireland?

Free Trade Ireland is an innovative web-based service under development, which when launched will encourage and facilitate the reuse of household and business items.   

The application is founded on a simple concept and one which has been operating successfully in Dublin since 2006.  The national website will build on the experience gained in Dublin and will expand the features of the service whilst ensuring it remains accessible to all.   The new service is expected to go live in June 2010.  

Q2. How does it work?

Free Trade Ireland will be simple and easy to use.  Users wishing to advertise an item will be required to become a member of the site.  Item details can be posted through a number of simple steps in a secure environment for the user.  

Once uploaded, item posts will be available on the website for users to view.  Anyone interested in any item will be free to contact the member using the details displayed.   Users browsing the site will not need to become a member of the website.  

It is important that users wishing to contact a member advertising an item adhere to any requests such as times when they may be contacted.

The service will be free to use and all items advertised on the service must be offered for free. 

Q3. How do I search for an item?

Finding the item you want on Free Trade Ireland couldn’t be easier.

Use the ‘Item Search’ menu located in the top left hand corner of your screen. 

• Enter in your search criteria; selecting the relevant category for the type of item you are looking for.
• It is important to include your location and the distance you are willing to travel to pick up an item.
• Click search when you have completed all of the fields.
• If you don’t have a particular item in mind then you can select “all” in particular fields to generate a broader list of items.
• Alternatively you can use the ‘Key Word’ search to generate a list of items that match exactly the search criteria you have entered.
• A list of items will be generated to match your search criteria.  The results show will be mapped shown with blue and green flags.  A red flag will be used to show your location.  A list of the results will be shown below the map also.
• To view an item in more detail click on the relevant flag in the map or the link as listed. 

Q4. How do I register and get started?

By registering with FreeTrade Ireland you or your business will have the opportunity to advertise unwanted items to other users free of charge.

Registering (link) is simple as set out in the following steps.

• On the registration page select the type of account you would like to set up i.e. household or business.
• Complete the necessary fields.  Any field marked with an asterix (*) is mandatory.
• Read through the user agreement and tick the relevant box. 
• Click on the create account button to complete the process.
• An email will be sent to your account to validate the registration process and you will need to click on a link to activate your account.
• You are now registered and your account is set up and can start posting item notices.  
• Remember to keep your username and password safe.

Q5. How do I post an item notice?

The process of posting an item on Free Trade Ireland is simple.  

New users need to register with Free Trade Ireland. This is done by completing the relevant fields on the registration page and submitting the information.  Once you have activated your account you can start posting items.  

• Once logged in click on the “add an item” in your account dashboard.
• You will then be required to submit details of the item or items you wish to advertise on FreeTrade Ireland.
• The type of item, its condition, and a few words describing it are required. 
• Uploading photos of the item is not mandatory but items with photos tend to be passed on more quickly and may also be feature on the homepage.
• If you have multiple items click on “add another item” to complete the same details for the next item.
• Once all to the item details are uploaded go to the next step and complete the location details for the items. 
• FreeTrade Ireland will automatically default to the location details provided during registration.  This can be accepted or changed.
• Provide contact and collection details which you are comfortable with displaying.  FreeTrade Ireland will protect user email addresses from spam bots and similar bugs.
• Save the information once everything is completed and the item(s) will be posted automatically onto the website.

Q6. How do I pass on items safely?

The FreeTrade Ireland management team advises users of the website to be sensible when passing on or picking up items from other members.

Members do not have to give an exact address for their home are business and can make arrangements to view or pick up an item on their terms with an interested party. 

Some tips for safe trading:

• If you are not comfortable with completing a trade at your home or place of work arrange to meet at a more suitable location. 
• If you are inviting someone into your home to view or take an item we recommend that you have another member of your family or house mate present on the day.
• Discuss the item with the interested party and their interest in the item in advance.  If necessary be selective as to who you arrange to meet to pass on the item to.

If you would like to discuss security issues in relation to trade contact the management team at info@freetradeireland.ie 

Q7. How do I set-up saved searches?

Items on Free Trade Ireland can be snapped up very quickly by users visiting the site.

This can be frustrating and disappointing for some users.  To avoid missing an item you really want, FreeTrade Ireland has a saved search feature which will send you an email or an rss feed alert notifying you immediately of an interesting item.

Registered users have the option to name and save particular searches in their user accounts for future use.

You can input specific selection criteria into the search engine for the particular item wanted. 

The search criteria can then be named and saved and you will informed of future posts matching your search criteria. 

Q8. Who will Free Trade Ireland benefit?

The reuse of items through the Free Trade service will benefit the environment, climate change, the Local Authorities, but most of all the people who use the service.  

The application will offer users a cost-effective way of managing unwanted items while protecting the environment.  

The service also has social benefits nurturing a spirit of goodwill in the community. 

Q9. Can I post items for sale?

FreeTrade Ireland is a public initiative funded by Local Authorities in Ireland and it is free for everyone to join and use. 

The ethos of the site is to encourage the reuse of items, protect the environment and nurture community spirit and it is not a service for commercial gain. 

Commercial posts selling or advertising items or services are not tolerated on the website under any circumstances.   If a commercial post is posted on the website, the Free Trade Ireland team will take the following actions:

• The item will be taken down immediately from FREE Trade;
• The User’s account will be deleted;
• The User may also be permanently blocked from registering an account on FreeTrade Ireland. 
• Persistant abusers may also be reported to their internet service provider for internet misuse.

One of the main reason for the success of the service is the loyalty and attitude of our Users who embrace the ethos of the service. 

As a result, FreeTrade will always be FREE!!  

Q10. Can animals or pets be posted on the site?

FreeTrade Ireland implements a very strict policy in relation to posts on the website offering pets or animals.

Any posts on the site where animals or pets are offered will be immediatley taken down by our website administrator and a warning email will be sent to the registered User.

Users continuing to post items of this sort on the website will have their accounts deleted. If you have a pet or animal which needs to be re-homed, please contact the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (http://www.ispca.ie/ ) or else your local animal warden.

Q11. What can I do if I think an ad is inappropriate?

If you wish to inform us of an item that you do not think is appropriate, you can use our new Report item feature on the ad's page. Once you click on the Report item button, it removes the ad for us from the website for us to adjudicate on.

Q12. Does FreeTrade Ireland have a Privacy Policy?

Yes we do, read it in full here; Our Privacy Policy.

Q13. Where can I view the FreeTrade user agreement?

Read it in full here; Our User Agreement