Saturday, February 21, 2015

New Ways To Swap Stuff

By Olivia Cross


Do you have clothes, books and more cluttering up your closets while you struggle to make ends meet? The concept of bartering has been embraced by people all over the globe. With the ability the internet has to bring traders together, a whole rash of bartering sites and communities have sprung up. Swap stuff you do not want for items or services you do want and save money.

Some sights are larger ones, offering swapping of all kinds of goods and services from trading in a car for a plot of land to exchanging house cleaning for baby sitting. Many niche sites also exist, dedicated to swapping of particular items such as clothing. There are also those that serve a particular local area, making it easier to meet in person.

Like any other activity today, safety precautions are necessary. Most of these websites have regulations in place to protect their members as far as possible. However, it is still up to the individual to be cautious. Do not post an expensive item without being sure of what you are getting in exchange. Items that are less expensive are often posted or shipped.

Users of such sites can arrange to meet in person. When doing so, it is better to arrange a neutral meeting place for the transaction. A coffee shop is a good location and taking someone along is an added safety measure. Once both parties have examined the goods and are satisfied, swapping occurs and each party walks away satisfied.

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.

Timing your swaps carefully can make a difference as some items are bound to go better at certain times of the year. Cash in by swapping old Halloween costumes just before Halloween or old Christmas decorations a few weeks before Christmas. A prom dress will be very popular before prom.

Membership of many of the websites is free. Some use a points system whereby you receive points and then spend them on what you want. On some websites, members do not even have to come into contact with each other at all to set up swaps as this is arranged for them. Some communities are closed and require another member to recommend someone. Many are open to all and the more members the better.

Instead of storing unwanted items or throwing them away, people are now taking advantage of the opportunity presented by these websites to barter. This is the perfect way to get rid of these items rather than cluttering closets or ending up in the trash. It can also be a way of saving a huge amount of money by getting needed or wanted goods without parting with any cash at all.




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