There are amazing bargains if you buy nearly new - and you'll be saving the planet, too.
The top five recycling, bidding and stuff for free websites are:
The Freecycle Network is a grassroots movement that started in the US and now runs in 85 countries worldwide. It enables local people to contact each other with stuff they want to give away for free, finding good homes for serviceable items that would otherwise clog up landfill sites. 'Ideal for decluttering,' says my friend Mandi.
Gumtree started in March 2000 as a local London classified ads and community site. There are items for sale, for free (from pianos to tropical fish tanks) and to swap. One recent entry said, 'Large model ship to swap for whatever you have interesting.'
Preloved - "the joy of secondhand" - was set up in 1998 by Ian and Louise Buzer from Woodbridge in Suffolk. It's free to sellers, but buyers pay an annual fee of £5 if they want to snap up bargains by seeing the ads as soon as they come online. You can narrow a search down to your local area. Bestsellers include antique furniture, prams and pushchairs, cars and wedding dresses - and you'll even find the odd horse.
What did we do before eBay? As my friend Hannah says, 'We've bought all sorts of things - a fireplace, a violin, a tent, even a fairy castle.' All the excitement of an auction at bargain prices.
A website that enables independent school parents to advertise items for sale - from holiday homes to musical instruments. Free to users. There are sister sites for primary schools, secondary schools and universities.
READ MORE - Top five recycling, bidding and stuff for free websites
ebay is one of the best websites for ecycling, bidding and stuff for free
The Freecycle Network is a grassroots movement that started in the US and now runs in 85 countries worldwide. It enables local people to contact each other with stuff they want to give away for free, finding good homes for serviceable items that would otherwise clog up landfill sites. 'Ideal for decluttering,' says my friend Mandi.
Gumtree started in March 2000 as a local London classified ads and community site. There are items for sale, for free (from pianos to tropical fish tanks) and to swap. One recent entry said, 'Large model ship to swap for whatever you have interesting.'
Preloved - "the joy of secondhand" - was set up in 1998 by Ian and Louise Buzer from Woodbridge in Suffolk. It's free to sellers, but buyers pay an annual fee of £5 if they want to snap up bargains by seeing the ads as soon as they come online. You can narrow a search down to your local area. Bestsellers include antique furniture, prams and pushchairs, cars and wedding dresses - and you'll even find the odd horse.
What did we do before eBay? As my friend Hannah says, 'We've bought all sorts of things - a fireplace, a violin, a tent, even a fairy castle.' All the excitement of an auction at bargain prices.
A website that enables independent school parents to advertise items for sale - from holiday homes to musical instruments. Free to users. There are sister sites for primary schools, secondary schools and universities.
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