Swapping Books and Media at Swaptree.com
Save Money by Trading Books, CDs, DVDs and Games Online
Sep 30, 2009
Swaptree.com is a somewhat unique website in the online swapping world. Unlike most sites, which trade only one type of media, Swaptree trades books, CDs, DVDs and games interchangeably. Also unlike mosts sites, Swaptree does not work on a credit system, but sets up trades so that the user is only sending a book when simultaneously receiving one.
How SwapTree Works
Swaptree users can set up what the site calls a "have list" and a "want list." Once a have list is set up, users can view their "items I can get" list, which shows all items that can be received based on the items offered. Users can stop there and manually initiate trades whenever the items I can get list shows something of interest.
If users set up a want list as well, then the system will find trades that match something on the have list with something on the want list. What makes the system so interesting is that trades might be two-way (exchanging items with one other person) or three-way. Because of the three-way nature of trades and the fluctuation of want and have lists of other members, the number of items available fluctuates constantly and matched trades can emerge at any time.
Once a trade is initiated, either by a user or by the system, all parties involved must approve the trade within 48 hours before it is official and addresses are provided. It is very important to confirm the item to send is physically available, as trades can not be cancelled once accepted. Trades can be rejected, but only for one of SwapTree's approved reasons, like being unhappy with an item's condition, or not wanting the item requested any more. It's important to keep want lists updated though, rather than rejecting trades, and SwapTree reviews rejections and may suspend accounts if there are too many rejections for that reason.
Listing Items on Swaptree
Books must be added to the system by looking up the International Standard Book Number (ISBN) that can usually be found on the back cover, the dust jacket flap or the back of the title page in a book. CDs, DVDs and games are added using the UPC number (below the barcode). All listings require a condition – new, like new, very good, good or acceptable. Additional comments and description are optional.
Mailing Swapped Items
Swaptree has an integrated mailing label and postage service. Users can print free labels to affix to packages, or can enter a credit card and print paid postage with delivery confirmation. Swaptree charges $1 per month during any month the service is used, regardless of how many item is shipped. The third party provider also charges a small service charge on top of the postage cost. Users are generally expected to mail items by the end of the next business day.
Swaptree is a fun way to update book, CD, DVD and game collections. It is occasionally frustrating when trades fall through if not accepted in time by all parties, but overall the site is easy to use and interesting to browse. Being able to convert media between types through trades is a nice feature. Swaptree is a great way for beginning users to enter the world of media swapping.
For more general information, see also the article Online Book Swapping or for details on other swapping sites see the articles on PaperBackSwap and BookMooch.
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