Saturday 21 February 2015

New Ways To Swap Stuff

By Olivia Cross


Before money was introduced, people would barter goods and services. With the connections offered by the internet, people are discovering bartering once again. All kinds of websites offer the option to swap stuff. It is an easy way to get rid of what you do not want and get what you do want without having to part with any cash.

People are bartering all kinds of goods and services today from cars and furniture to baby-sitting shifts and house repairs. With many large-scale and niche sharing sites, it is not difficult to find one to meet your needs. When using one of the larger websites, ways are provided to navigate to your specific area. Other smaller bartering websites may be dedicated to serving one particular area.

All trades are carefully monitored by reputable websites and rules and regulations are put in place to protect both parties. When swapping expensive items, particular care needs to be taken and shipping such items off to somebody without having seen what they are exchanging is asking for trouble. Inexpensive items can be posted or shipped without too much risk.

When arranging an exchange, it is preferable to do so in person. This is why swapping with someone local is better. Arrange to meet the person at a coffee shop and take someone with you as an extra precaution. You will be able to seal the deal after each person has examined the items to make sure both parties are happy.

Bartering provides the perfect way for someone who is short of cash to experience having new items like clothing. Those who love fashion but cannot afford to buy new clothes all the time are often addicted to a clothing site where they can join a community swapping clothing as well as accessories and cosmetics. Parents with children who grow out of their clothing at an alarming rate also really appreciate a website dedicated to helping them exchange gently worn items and even toys with other parents who can still use them. People also benefit from swapping hundreds of other items from books to video games.

Sometimes the time at which swaps are posted influence their popularity. Posting Christmas decorations for swapping in January is not a good idea but if they are posted in November, they are far more likely to get attention. The same goes for Halloween costumes and other items specific to a particular holiday or season.

These websites usually offer free membership. Some of them have more tight knit communities and require recommendation by a member to join. They also operate in different ways with some arranging the swapping between members so that they do not communicate with one another at all. Others operate on a point system, giving points for items which the member can use to get other items.

There is no point in storing unused items when they can go to someone else who will appreciate them. Rather than throwing things away too, why not recycle them to another user. Let go of what you do not want and you will be surprised at what other people do not want and that you can really use. Online swaps are a really great way to save a whole lot of money.




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