Free items on Treasure It are staying free. We made one important change to help them move between neighbors more reliably: when a giver chooses a recipient and sends pickup times, the recipient has a clear deadline to respond.
The goal is simple. Givers should not have to wait days for a yes or no, and recipients should always know what to do next.
First, what is a match credit?
A match credit is a commitment to follow through. It is not a price for the item, and having or using credits does not make a Free item a paid item.
When two people match, each person normally sets aside a credit. The credit is spent when the pickup is completed. The system is designed so everyday flexibility does not cost a credit: you can reschedule, ask for another time, or decline a proposed time.
Credits create accountability when someone inconveniences the other person instead. Under the existing credit rules:
- If the other person goes silent or drops the match, your credit is returned and the cost falls on them.
- Backing out means forfeiting a credit while the other person gets theirs back.
- Repeatedly rescheduling can shift responsibility to the person causing the delays.
- Missing a confirmed pickup carries the largest penalty: ten credits.
The new Free-item response clock adds a separate rule for the moment immediately after a recipient is chosen.
What is changing for Free items?
Showing interest requires a positive balance
You need at least one available match credit to show new interest in a Free item. Showing interest does not spend or hold that credit. It simply shows that your balance is positive when you raise your hand.
Interests you already have remain active even if your balance later reaches zero or becomes negative. A giver can still choose you for those items.
Chosen recipients get four working hours to answer
When a giver chooses you and sends actionable pickup times, a four-working-hour response clock starts. The clock counts only between 8:00 a.m. and 9:45 p.m. and pauses overnight.
Your exact deadline and a live countdown appear in the Activity Inbox, so there is no need to calculate it yourself.
Three actions resolve the clock
You can resolve the deadline in any of these ways:
- Choose one of the pickup times the giver offered.
- Tap None of these times work and send your own availability.
- Back out or remove your interest if you no longer want the item. Existing back-out credit rules still apply.
Sending a chat message or comment does not stop the clock. Use one of the actions above so Treasure It can record a clear answer and move the item forward.
Missing the deadline costs two credits per item
If the deadline passes without one of these actions, two credits are deducted for each item you were chosen to receive. The charge happens once per item and is not refunded after a late response.
You are still the chosen recipient. You can still send availability and continue scheduling the pickup after the deadline. The change is meant to get the giver an answer, not automatically take the item away from you.
What if my balance is zero or negative?
You can still tap None of these times work and send alternate availability at any balance. You can also remove existing interests, manage pickups, list items, and receive payouts as usual.
You cannot show interest in another Free item until your balance is positive again. You can get more credits from the Credits screen or invite friends through Rewards.
Where you see these changes
- Free-item pages: The first time you show interest, a short guide explains the credit balance and response-clock rules.
- Activity Inbox: If you are chosen, the pickup row shows your deadline, countdown, and the actions available to you.
- Credits: See your current balance, learn how credits work, and add credits if needed.
- Rewards: Invite friends to Treasure It and earn credits through active reward offers.
If you try to show interest or confirm a Free pickup without a positive balance, Treasure It takes you directly to the options for getting or earning credits. Alternate availability remains available, so a low balance never prevents you from answering the giver.
Why we made this change
Giving something away should feel generous, not uncertain. A clear response window gives recipients time to make a real decision while helping givers know when to keep planning with someone or move on.
The response clock is now live. The app explains the rules at the moment they matter and keeps your exact next step visible in the Activity Inbox.
Quick answers
Are Free items still free?
Yes. A match credit is a commitment signal, not payment for the item.
Does showing interest spend a credit?
No. You only need a positive available balance when showing new interest.
Can I stop the clock by messaging the giver?
No. Choose one of the offered times, send alternate availability through None of these times work, or back out and remove your interest.
What happens if I answer late?
You lose two credits per chosen item, but you remain the recipient and can continue scheduling.
Can I answer with no credits?
Yes. Sending alternate availability works at any balance. A positive balance is required to show new interest in Free items and to manually confirm a pickup time.