How to Start Posting in Buy Nothing
Overview
Posting is how participants give, ask, and express gratitude within Buy Nothing communities. There are three types of posts available: Give, Ask, and Gratitude.
Whether you have something to share or are looking for something specific, posting on Buy Nothing is the heart of the community. Here is a simple guide to getting your first Give or Ask live on the platform.
Step 1: Choose Your Post Type
To get started, click or tap the + Create a post button. A menu will appear with three options:
- Give: Use this for anything you want to gift to others.
- Ask: Use this when you are looking for a specific item or service.
- Gratitude: Use this to say thank you to a neighbor or share appreciation about anything Buy Nothing related.
Step 2: Details & Description
Once you’ve selected your type, you’ll enter the details of your post:
- Add Photo (Optional): While optional, posts with photos usually get much more interest! Tap the camera icon to upload.
- Title: Keep it clear (e.g., "Wooden Coffee Table" or "Size 5 Diapers").
- Description: Add details like condition, dimensions, or your preferred pickup window.
- Next: Click the green Next button to move to preview and select your post settings.
Step 3: Preview & Apply Post Settings
Before your post goes live, you’ll see a Preview screen. This is where you finalize the logistics.
| Setting | What it does |
| Location | Regular members have one default location, which you can edit in settings. Subscribers can save up to 5 locations. This is where Subscribers can choose which location to use for a post. |
| Visibility Toggle | This toggle within the post's location setting allows your post to be visible globally throughout the app, or only to people within the maximum radius of your post location. |
| Pickup Location | For Gives you can set your Nearest landmark or cross streets. This helps neighbors see approximately how far away you are, without giving away your exact address. |
| Post/Give Type |
For Gives, you can signal that you are giving your post away as soon as possible with a Flash badge, or signal that you will wait for for several people to see your post before choosing a recipient with a Simmer badge. Note: Choosing a Flash or Simmer badge requires a subscription. |
| Category | Tag your Give & Ask posts with a category (e.g., Furniture, Kids, Books) to help people find it. |
| Private Community | Do you want to share your post openly on the platform for everyone to find, or only allow members of a specific private group to see and interact with it? This is where you can choose a private community to share your post, or choose none, to be included in the general app home and explore screens. |
Step 4: Post & Manage
After clicking Post, your item is live! Here is how to handle the "after-post" process:
- Monitor Interest: Check your notifications to see who has commented or expressed interest.
- Communicate: Click on the list of interested folks to send a Message and coordinate a pickup time.
- Complete the Loop: Once a Give or Ask has been handed off or received, go back to your post. Change the post status and choose the recipient/giver. This lets others know the item is no longer available or needed.