I went through the process of trying to join my local Freecycle. Did all the things I was supposed to. Eventually got an email saying my membership was awaiting approval. Then nothing. Nothing the next day. Or the day after that. Or the day after that. I sent a couple of emails, asking what was happening, and whether there was a problem. No reply ever, to any of it. Kept checking. Still awaiting approval. Couldn't get a response from anyone. Gave up in disgust in the end.