It's like a bizarre parallel universe, where empty Quality Street tins are worth more than televisions to its inhabitants and everyone is desperate for copper piping.
The Liverpool site is easy to join. You just type in a few details, pick a username and password and you're on. However, the Southport group is more choosy.
To get access to its webpage, with offers of "three dozen cups, no saucers" and requests for "binoculars or telescope to help somebody just starting off in astronomy" you have to fill in a form saying what your Freecycling intentions are.
Several hours later and, as long as your membership is approved by the group's moderator, you are sent a list of etiquette points that you must adhere to or face expulsion.
They include a ban on placing a "wanted" message until after you have donated something to the site.
Freecycling is self-policing. If members think you are being greedy they post messages to say so and gang up to refuse to give you things.
So be warned. There may be lots of secondhand treasures out there for you to get your hands on but don't take too many old gas cookers, broken computers or baby bath seats without donating something yourself or you'll be evicted.
* To find your local Freecycle group visit www.freecycle.org
