Swapping Revisited

Thanks to onlinethriftshop's wonderful post in the iOffer Community Clubs about swapping, I had to put it on here:

What truly sets ioffer apart from other listing sites is the ability to swap and trade items if you wish. It's a fun way to get to try out new or different things without the expense of buying outright. Here are a few tips about swapping that have helped me.

1. Look for a swapper that has good feedback for sales and swapping and always be fair in your offers. Don't expect a seller to swap you a 100.00 handbag for a hand full of beans. Make sure you have an item of equal value to swap for.

2. If you are new to swapping, don't be offended if a more established member asks you to send your items first because it's just a way of establishing yourself and your trustworthyness, not meant to offend you or rip you off. Everyone was new on here at one time and we've all to do what it takes to start building our reputations.

3. Use as much care in shipping your swap item as you would if you had sold it to that person. Wrap it safely and be sure that you and the person you are swapping with agree before hand on a day to ship your items and how they will be shipped. Most members use priority mail or first class so that you get your item quickly and securely with tracking information. If you are going to use some other means of shipping that is going to take more time, please tell the other person that upfront and make sure that they agree with that before you ship. There is nothing worse than going out of your way to run out the next day to the post office to get your item out on time and spending more money to have it shipped properly and then finding out your swap partner used "snail mail" and your item doesn't show up for 2 weeks and is mishandled. Which leads to....

4. Provide tracking information asap to your swap partner. This is a way of building an honest swap relationship right off the bat so that they can track their package and know it's on the way.

5. Have your item in stock! Unless your swap partner knows and agrees upfront that it's ok for you to order their item from somewhere else, NEVER offer for trade an item that you don't currently have in your hands and available for trade.

5. Be responsible for your swap item just as you would for a sale. Have lots of pictures and describe your items faults and all up front to the other partner. This just goes along with treating your swap buddy as you would like to be treated.

Finally...for now..just be fair, honest and open in your swap dealings and stand behind a swap item as you would an item for sale. It is still a transaction between 2 people that is as solid as any other business deal and as binding, but can be so rewarding and so much fun once you get started.

That's all I have for now! Please feel free to ask any questions or add anything I may have left out in regards to making swap offers here on ioffer. Thanks and have a great day!

Robi