Oops, sorry CRG! I think that most of us here thought you were offering to work for your "friends" for free after getting your CPL/206 endorsement. This would probably not be looked upon favorably by, oh, EVERY other working pilot in the industry.
But if that is not what you meant...
Why on earth would anyone let you fly their machine for free? It costs *them* money, doesn't it? And what are "mate's rates?" Is that a British thing?