Frequently Asked Questions — FreeMarkIt
❓
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions about FreeMarkIt.
🚀 Getting Started
Is FreeMarkIt really free to use?
+
Yes, completely free. There are no listing fees, no subscription costs, and no money changes hands between members. The only "currency" is Marks — a community credit you earn by giving items away.
What is a Mark, and is it worth real money?
+
A Mark is a community credit — not money, and it has no cash value. You earn a Mark when you give something away, and spend one when you receive something. It simply keeps giving and receiving in balance across the community.
How do I get my first Marks so I can request something?
+
When you complete your profile for the first time, you receive Welcome Marks automatically. This lets you make your first Request straight away, even before you've given anything. After that, list items to give away and earn more Marks.
What area does FreeMarkIt cover?
+
FreeMarkIt is open to anyone who can arrange a physical collection. The platform shows items in distance order from your registered address so you can see what's nearest to you first. There is no hard geographic boundary.
Can I invite friends and earn Marks?
+
Yes! From your dashboard, tap Invite Friends to get your personal invite link. When a friend joins using your link and lists their first Offer, you both earn bonus Marks. Share your link by copy, WhatsApp, or your phone's share button.
📦 Offers
What kinds of items can I list?
+
Almost anything that another person could collect and use — household items, clothing, books, toys, furniture, garden equipment, and more. Items must be legal, safe, and reasonably clean. Check the Community Guidelines for items that are not permitted.
How long does an Offer stay active?
+
Offers remain active until they are awarded, withdrawn by you, or automatically expired by the platform. You will receive a notification before an Offer expires.
Can I edit an Offer after posting it?
+
Yes. From your dashboard, open the Offer and use the Edit button to update the title, description, condition, or photos.
🙋 Requests
Does making a Request cost a Mark immediately?
+
No. A Mark is only deducted when the item has been collected. Placing a Request simply expresses interest. If your Request is not chosen, your Mark balance is unaffected.
How does the donor decide who to award the item to?
+
That is entirely up to the donor. They can see each requester's distance, profile rating, and the message you wrote. Writing a genuine, friendly message explaining why you need the item will always improve your chances.
My balance hit zero — what happens to my pending Requests?
+
If your balance reaches zero (because another of your Requests was awarded), any remaining pending Requests are automatically cancelled. This keeps the system fair. Give an item to earn Marks and reapply.
Can I use a courier to collect the item?
+
FreeMarkIt doesn't yet arrange for couriers — most exchanges are collected in person, which you and the donor arrange directly. Soon members will be able to request an item to be couriered. Watch this space for more news on this feature.
💬 Messaging, Ratings & Notifications
Can I message the other person?
+
Yes. Once an exchange is underway you can chat inside FreeMarkIt to arrange collection. Your messages are encrypted, so their contents stay private between you and the other member.
What are ratings for?
+
After an exchange, members can leave a rating. A good track record builds trust in the community and helps donors feel confident awarding items to you.
How will I know when something happens?
+
FreeMarkIt keeps you informed — both on-site and by email — when you receive a Request, when you're awarded an item, when a new message arrives, and before one of your Offers is due to expire.
🛡️ Privacy & Safety
Is my home address shown to other members?
+
No. Other Changers only ever see a bucketed distance (e.g. "within 5 km"). Your exact address is never displayed publicly. Contact details are only shared when a specific exchange is in progress and you have enabled that sharing in your profile settings.
Will other members see my phone number or email?
+
No — not unless you choose to share them. Your phone number and email are never shown publicly. They are only revealed to the person you're exchanging with, and only if you switch on the "Share my phone number" or "Share my email" toggle in your profile. Each is separate, and you can turn either off at any time.
Do you sell my personal information?
+
Never. We don't sell, rent, or hand your contact details to advertisers or marketing lists. Sensitive data — your mobile number, addresses, and private messages — is encrypted in our database. See the full Privacy Policy for details.
What if I feel unsafe about an exchange?
+
Cancel immediately. You never owe an explanation. Contact the site administrator via a support ticket if you want to report the other member. In an emergency, always call SAPS (10111) or emergency services (112) first.
🎫 Still need help?
Our support team is ready to assist you.
✏️ Log a Ticket
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions about FreeMarkIt.
🚀 Getting Started
Is FreeMarkIt really free to use? +
Yes, completely free. There are no listing fees, no subscription costs, and no money changes hands between members. The only "currency" is Marks — a community credit you earn by giving items away.
What is a Mark, and is it worth real money? +
A Mark is a community credit — not money, and it has no cash value. You earn a Mark when you give something away, and spend one when you receive something. It simply keeps giving and receiving in balance across the community.
How do I get my first Marks so I can request something? +
When you complete your profile for the first time, you receive Welcome Marks automatically. This lets you make your first Request straight away, even before you've given anything. After that, list items to give away and earn more Marks.
What area does FreeMarkIt cover? +
FreeMarkIt is open to anyone who can arrange a physical collection. The platform shows items in distance order from your registered address so you can see what's nearest to you first. There is no hard geographic boundary.
Can I invite friends and earn Marks? +
Yes! From your dashboard, tap Invite Friends to get your personal invite link. When a friend joins using your link and lists their first Offer, you both earn bonus Marks. Share your link by copy, WhatsApp, or your phone's share button.
📦 Offers
What kinds of items can I list? +
Almost anything that another person could collect and use — household items, clothing, books, toys, furniture, garden equipment, and more. Items must be legal, safe, and reasonably clean. Check the Community Guidelines for items that are not permitted.
How long does an Offer stay active? +
Offers remain active until they are awarded, withdrawn by you, or automatically expired by the platform. You will receive a notification before an Offer expires.
Can I edit an Offer after posting it? +
Yes. From your dashboard, open the Offer and use the Edit button to update the title, description, condition, or photos.
🙋 Requests
Does making a Request cost a Mark immediately? +
No. A Mark is only deducted when the item has been collected. Placing a Request simply expresses interest. If your Request is not chosen, your Mark balance is unaffected.
How does the donor decide who to award the item to? +
That is entirely up to the donor. They can see each requester's distance, profile rating, and the message you wrote. Writing a genuine, friendly message explaining why you need the item will always improve your chances.
My balance hit zero — what happens to my pending Requests? +
If your balance reaches zero (because another of your Requests was awarded), any remaining pending Requests are automatically cancelled. This keeps the system fair. Give an item to earn Marks and reapply.
Can I use a courier to collect the item? +
FreeMarkIt doesn't yet arrange for couriers — most exchanges are collected in person, which you and the donor arrange directly. Soon members will be able to request an item to be couriered. Watch this space for more news on this feature.
💬 Messaging, Ratings & Notifications
Can I message the other person? +
Yes. Once an exchange is underway you can chat inside FreeMarkIt to arrange collection. Your messages are encrypted, so their contents stay private between you and the other member.
What are ratings for? +
After an exchange, members can leave a rating. A good track record builds trust in the community and helps donors feel confident awarding items to you.
How will I know when something happens? +
FreeMarkIt keeps you informed — both on-site and by email — when you receive a Request, when you're awarded an item, when a new message arrives, and before one of your Offers is due to expire.
🛡️ Privacy & Safety
Is my home address shown to other members? +
No. Other Changers only ever see a bucketed distance (e.g. "within 5 km"). Your exact address is never displayed publicly. Contact details are only shared when a specific exchange is in progress and you have enabled that sharing in your profile settings.
Will other members see my phone number or email? +
No — not unless you choose to share them. Your phone number and email are never shown publicly. They are only revealed to the person you're exchanging with, and only if you switch on the "Share my phone number" or "Share my email" toggle in your profile. Each is separate, and you can turn either off at any time.
Do you sell my personal information? +
Never. We don't sell, rent, or hand your contact details to advertisers or marketing lists. Sensitive data — your mobile number, addresses, and private messages — is encrypted in our database. See the full Privacy Policy for details.
What if I feel unsafe about an exchange? +
Cancel immediately. You never owe an explanation. Contact the site administrator via a support ticket if you want to report the other member. In an emergency, always call SAPS (10111) or emergency services (112) first.
🎫 Still need help?
Our support team is ready to assist you.