Sunday, January 25, 2015

Easy And Fun Swapping Websites

By Janine Hughes


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.

Some of the marketplaces are large and well established as they have already been in existence for some time. They have thousands of categories and listings under these categories. Others are more specific such as those where only clothing and accessories are traded or those where only services are exchanged. Most of these sites offer free membership and as soon as the rules have been accepted, a member can start dealing.

Posting a listing is simply a matter of following easy online instructions. A post has a heading and as clear a description of the item as possible is given. Adding an image helps and most sites have software to allow for uploading of images. On these sites, users can track their listing and see any interest in them. A listing will also include what is expected in exchange for the item.

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.

An option of withdrawing from a transaction usually exists. However, this is no longer possible after one of the users has already sent an item. When an item has been sent, the user is often required to fill in a date, method of sending and tracking numbers or any comments. Users confirm once they have received an item.

Ratings have been introduced by many of these marketplaces to allow the online community to assess fellow members. Reading ratings can give a good idea of how reliable a user is when it comes to describing items, making proposals and arranging for speedy delivery of goods. Active online communities also mean that seasoned users are available to give new users tips and advice.

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 bartering system in which participants in online communities trade items of comparable value does involve an element of trust. However, many of these communities operate according to strict guidelines and do everything they can to verify users to enhance confidence and security. This is a fun way to find exactly what you want without having to part with money.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment