Wednesday 30 September 2009

'Wellies Reunited' -matching is all we do


The Freelender.org database can (theoretically) be used by anyone wanting to offer or find anything. When freelender ran a tent at a festival this summer, we saw that people were losing their wellies. (This was because of the requirement to take wellies off in a number of other big tents; and in the dark, people walked away wearing the wrong wellies). Thus, we used our freelender base to run a "Wellies Reunited" event; a kind of wellies amnesty and pick-up point. It required people with wrong or missing wellies to turn up at the same place at the same time.
The directors of Freelending CIC have many big ideas about how innovative ways of providing a matching function can be undertaken online. Join in one of our numerous (themed) monthly meetings and we'll share more about the difference that matching technologies could make to all our lives, reconnecting us, saving resources and more.

Compensation payment on freelender -the first story

I've been asked about the 100% satisfaction rating by freelender users, and also about the compensation payment that was made. The story is as follows:
Freelending CIC ran a tent at a summer festival (Buddhafield.org). Amongst the many things lent out to people never met before & with no deposit were Wellington Boots.
What happened?
1) On the return date the borrower returned to the tent wearing a non-matching pair of Wellingtons.
2) Both parties had previously (at the time of lending) agreed the value of the Wellingtons (£10)
3)The borrower gave his email address and agreed to pay the £10 into the bank as compensation.
4) The money was paid into the bank the following week
5) 100% satisfaction was recorded with all lending done at Buddhafield Festival by festival goers and by Freelending CIC.

Raised Profile of Freelender on Great Turning Times

At present, freelender.org is looking to have people register and to offer what they can. In November, the fully functioning site is expected to be running.
Meanwhile Chris Johnstone has advertised our work in the August edition of Great Turning Times, alongside that of the Freeconomy, with whom we work. Great Turning Times's is a newsletter that's well worth reading.