Bartering was the way in which people exchanged goods and services before money was invented. A new take on this old system is swapping websites. These are proving to be an extremely popular way for people to exchange goods they no longer want for others they want or need. Services are also exchanged and sometimes services are exchanged for goods.
Cars, clothing and consumer electronics are just some of the most popular items for exchange as well as services like house cleaning and child care. Sites devoted to services are usually area specific. Some of the larger, established marketplaces offer numerous categories with thousands upon thousands of listings. Others deal more specifically with a particular area, dealing with interests like biking, cars or clothing. Registering and joining is a simple process and once terms and conditions are accepted, trading can begin.
A listing is usually easy to post with step by step instructions given. The post has a title, a detailed description of the item and possibly a value. Each member will usually have an account, a dashboard or even a personal store where the listings and offers can be viewed. Sites have built in software allowing images to be uploaded. More than one image can usually be downloaded but the picture size is limited. The member then has the opportunity to list the goods or services they expect in return.
Another user who is interested in the item will show their interest and maybe ask some questions. If a suitable proposal is made and accepted, the exchange can proceed. This may be done by exchanging delivery addresses and posting the items. Sometimes sites are devoted to users in a particular area and it may be convenient for them to arrange to physically swap goods.
Once an item has been delivered, the other party is obliged to follow through with delivery too. Before this point it is possible to withdraw from a swap. If an item is posted, the date of posting, method and tracking number is usually recorded. Once items that are posted have been received, confirmation is necessary. Personal accounts or dashboards are often used to keep track of transactions.
Rating a swap is often an important part of the process as this enables other users of a site to know how easily a swap was accomplished. Rating may consist of noting the description accuracy of the item, the quality of communication and speed at which the item was sent. Future swaps are affected by the rating of a user.
People may be fearful of using such sites because they think safety risks are involved. There are obviously some risks in this type of trading but as long as common sense is used, there is no reason for swaps to go wrong. The online communities that exist provide invaluable input as swaps are reviewed and irregularities reported.
A system of bartering can work extremely well if the users obey the rules and follow instructions that are put in place for their safety. These websites are easy to use and it can be really helpful to exchange unwanted items for needed and wanted ones without having to pay money. One can even have fun making swaps and make new friends in the process.
Cars, clothing and consumer electronics are just some of the most popular items for exchange as well as services like house cleaning and child care. Sites devoted to services are usually area specific. Some of the larger, established marketplaces offer numerous categories with thousands upon thousands of listings. Others deal more specifically with a particular area, dealing with interests like biking, cars or clothing. Registering and joining is a simple process and once terms and conditions are accepted, trading can begin.
A listing is usually easy to post with step by step instructions given. The post has a title, a detailed description of the item and possibly a value. Each member will usually have an account, a dashboard or even a personal store where the listings and offers can be viewed. Sites have built in software allowing images to be uploaded. More than one image can usually be downloaded but the picture size is limited. The member then has the opportunity to list the goods or services they expect in return.
Another user who is interested in the item will show their interest and maybe ask some questions. If a suitable proposal is made and accepted, the exchange can proceed. This may be done by exchanging delivery addresses and posting the items. Sometimes sites are devoted to users in a particular area and it may be convenient for them to arrange to physically swap goods.
Once an item has been delivered, the other party is obliged to follow through with delivery too. Before this point it is possible to withdraw from a swap. If an item is posted, the date of posting, method and tracking number is usually recorded. Once items that are posted have been received, confirmation is necessary. Personal accounts or dashboards are often used to keep track of transactions.
Rating a swap is often an important part of the process as this enables other users of a site to know how easily a swap was accomplished. Rating may consist of noting the description accuracy of the item, the quality of communication and speed at which the item was sent. Future swaps are affected by the rating of a user.
People may be fearful of using such sites because they think safety risks are involved. There are obviously some risks in this type of trading but as long as common sense is used, there is no reason for swaps to go wrong. The online communities that exist provide invaluable input as swaps are reviewed and irregularities reported.
A system of bartering can work extremely well if the users obey the rules and follow instructions that are put in place for their safety. These websites are easy to use and it can be really helpful to exchange unwanted items for needed and wanted ones without having to pay money. One can even have fun making swaps and make new friends in the process.