How can I donate technology to Free Geek?

Public drop offs of technology donations for reuse or recycling are welcomed Wednesdays through Saturdays, 11:00-1:00 and 3:00-5:00 in the parking lot on the northeast side of our building We are located in inner SE Portland at 1731 SE 10th Ave.

We require our staff and donors to wear face coverings, and maintain a minimum of 6 ft social distancing during the donation process, which takes place outdoors in the parking lot on the NE side of our building.

We will have collection bins set outside the warehouse entrance. Please be prepared to unload your own vehicle and roughly sort your items into three categories: 1st: Things with data (including computers, phones, cameras and hard drives), 2nd: Large items (including TVs, Monitors, printers and Audio/Visual equipment), and 3rd other electronics such as keyboards, mice, cords, chargers, computer parts and accessories, telephones, and other miscellaneous electronics.

Staff will be available to guide you as needed, and provide receipts while ensuring the security of your data bearing items. Staff will invite you to make an optional financial contribution to support our work in giving computers to community members in need and processing materials for responsible recycling. This is truly optional, and we are ready to accept cash, checks or credit cards from donors who choose to do so.

We prioritize reuse over recycling and are committed to the security of your data. All computer hard drives, phone data and other potentially personal data will be cleared or physically destroyed. We will work to test, and refurbish items that we are able to find a new home for.

For items at their end of life, we have responsible recycling processes and downstream partners to ensure human health and the environment are protected from the hazards of e-waste. Some of the items we cannot accept include refrigerators, microwaves, air conditioners, large household appliances, light bulbs, liquids, biohazards, furniture, software and CD collections.

Receipts will be available by request in person, or online at receipt.freegeek.org.

My donation is larger than 20 computers. Is there another donation process for this?

You can schedule an appointment to drop off twenty (20) or more computers, or other large items: Please email dropoffs@freegeek.org to let us know what you have and when you would like to bring it by. Availability may be limited, but we will work to accommodate your needs.

Is your business interested in a repeated technology donation partnership? Fill out the form here to be contacted by an organizational representative regarding partnership opportunities.

We can also pick up your equipment (limited availability, fees apply). Currently this works best if you can arrange for your items to be brought outside and, for larger volumes, secured onto pallets. For more details, please see our pickups page.

Or, we can wait this out together, and be there for you in the future! I hope this helps!

Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to Free Geek, to help us cover costs associated with processing these items - as well fund multiple programs which help enable digital access by giving computers to folks in need.

You can find an updated schedule and additional options at freegeek.org/get-involved/donate-technology.

Can I mail in tech donations?

You can send your donation in the mail, to Free Geek Attn: Hardware Donation, 1731 SE 10th Ave, Portland, OR 97214.

Your storefront is closed. Can I still buy from Free Geek?

The Free Geek Experience allows you to Shop Online, or find out more about our Affordable Tech Community Partnership Program here.

Shipping and Handling

Shipping Fee: Flat Rate Shipping for all buyers through FedEx.

• One day shipping after 3 days handing time for all deliveries within the Portland Metro Area.
   
• Shipping to Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Alaska additional surcharge of $20 per machine
   
• Desktops $20 per machine
   
• Laptops $15 per machine
   
• 3-day handling

Can I pick up my online purchases from your building?

All items on Free Geek’s eBay Shop are eligible for free local pick up. Simply add your items to your cart, and select the free “Local Pickup” shipping option at checkout.

After your purchase is made, you will receive a confirmation email from eBay with a pick up confirmation code. We will need this code to confirm your pick up. If you cannot locate this code, we will have you sign a receipt to confirm your pick up.

Please allow at least two hours after your purchase for your order to be ready for pick up. You will receive a message when your order is ready for pick up. See our our pick up hours below:

Due to limited capacity, we are open only certain hours for pick ups.

Tuesday - Friday  11AM–1PM and 3–5PM.

Follow the signs to our technology pick up area, an employee will come to the door to help you.

Please wear a face mask, and maintain 6 feet of distance when you arrive for your pick up.

What's the process for getting help with my order?

Like everyone, our sellers are facing extraordinary circumstances right now. If an item you ordered hasn't turned up yet, you should check your Purchase history - opens in new window or tab in My eBay to see if the seller has marked it as shipped, track your item or contact the seller directly if tracking is not available. Most of our sellers will be willing to help and provide advice directly. If you can't get in touch with your seller, read our article on Getting help with an item that hasn't arrived to find out what to do next.

We’ve also temporarily extended our returns timelines and adjusted our eBay Money Back Guarantee policy to help you if you need to return an item during COVID-19. You’ll now have 21 business days from when a return is accepted or a return shipping label is provided to you to send your item back. Once tracking shows that the item has been successfully returned, the seller has 5 business days to inspect the item and issue your refund. If you need to return an item you bought, you'll find more information on how to start a return in our Return your item for a refund article.

I'm having tracking information issues. What should I do?

USPS

The Postal Service continues to follow the strategies and measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and public health departments regarding COVID-19 (coronavirus.gov). We are additionally reinforcing workplace behaviors to ensure that contact with our customers reflects the best guidance regarding healthy interactions, social distancing and risk minimization.

If you experience inconsistent tracking information please follow these steps:

1. TrackConfirmAction , please double check tracking number and confirm information through this link.
2. Review USPS updates and Q&A. USPS How Can We Help.
3. If you do not receive your package by the expected date please contact us via eBay messages. 

FedEx

In these uncertain times, it’s even more important for businesses like yours to stay in business. We’re here to help. We still have planes in the air; we still have trucks on the road; and we still have locations open to hold your packages. We’re continuing to operate and deliver for you and your customers everywhere local conditions and restrictions allow.

We are FedEx. We are delivering.

If you experience inconsistent tracking information please follow these steps:

1. FedEx Tracking, please double check tracking number and confirm information through this link.
2. Review FedEx updates and Q&A. USPS How Can We Help.
3. If you do not receive your package by the expected date please contact us via eBay messages.

What is the Affordable Tech Community Partnership Program

This program enables partnership opportunities with organizations looking to fill technology needs for their constituents at an affordable price.

• Partner with us
  We build partnerships from proposals which align with Free Geek’s goals and needs as outlined in below. To begin exploring a partnership with Free Geek, please reach out to our Senior Manager of Customer Experience  at j.muro@freegeek.org with
   
  • A brief description of your technology needs (Laptops, Desktops and/or other mobile devices
     
  • How it aligns with Free Geek's Mission
     
  • Estimated budget

I have a K-12 student looking for a Free Geek computer. How do I apply?

Plug Into Portland is our computer access program for K-12 students. The program is currently closed to new applications but will reopen in October 2021. Thank you for your patience.

What's up with Free Geek's education services?

The Education Team is hard at work creating easy to understand content that covers all the topics typically covered in our in-person classes. This content includes written articles and tutorials, video presentations, and will eventually include live webinars hosted by our team of wonderful instructors. When we have a substantial amount of this content created we will, of course, share it for free with our community and will have it available on our website. In the meantime, we suggest that you check out these learning resources that are available for free:

https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/ https://www.youtube.com/user/gcflearnfree

My nonprofit is looking for devices for my community/my nonprofit organization. How do I apply?

Free Geek’s Hardware Grants programs connect qualifying nonprofits with free and low-cost refurbished technology for organizational use, as well as community member use. The program is currently closed to new applications but will reopen in October 2021. Thank you for your patience.

I need tech support for a computer provided to me by a Free Geek program. How do I contact you?

Currently we are offering tech support via phone and email, and devices may be checked in by appointment. To reach our Tech Support team, you can email support@freegeek.org or call 503-232-9350 (option 6) and leave a message.

I'm interested in partnering my business with Free Geek in another way! Who should I contact?

Free Geek may be closed to the public, but we are actively working to give computers to students, families, organizations and others who are impacted by the digital transition that the pandemic has presented. There is high demand for computers, as daily necessities like healthcare appointments, jobs and schooling go digital. Please contact us through our contact form to see how you can partner with our organization.

Are you all accepting volunteers currently?

In order to prevent and slow Coronavirus transmission - and in order to keep our community safe - Free Geek has temporarily closed the warehouse, the thrift store, and volunteering to the public until further notice.  

While we aren’t accepting volunteers in-person, we are in the process of reframing how we can continue to partner with volunteers digitally. Because this is being built from the ground up we don’t have an exact start date for when we will be bringing volunteers back into our work. If you are interested in future volunteer opportunities please fill out this form so we can contact you once our new program is in place.