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Disease called Debt

A blog about getting out of debt

17 Great Swap Websites! Save Money and Swap

Swap websitesHave you ever used swap websites before? A great way to save money is to swap your old stuff that you no longer want for secondhand things that you can make use of.

I swap kids clothing and shoes with a group of friends and when these are too worn or we can’t pass them on any further, we take them to the local charity shop.

This swapping cycle works really well for us at the moment especially as our daughter is growing so fast.

I can’t remember the last time I bought brand new clothes off the rack for her! Whilst we’re paying our debt off, it’s vital that we save money wherever possible.

I’ve been searching around the internet recently to see what else is swappable. And the result? Pretty much anything! There are loads of swap websites out there. So I’ve put together several short reviews of the best swapping websites I’ve found, some which are UK based and some US or worldwide.

Swap Websites – UK based

Swaprs

This is a UK-based online marketplace for swapping items and services. It allows you to swap almost anything you have for anything you need – Items, services, skills or spare time.
For example, users can trade their old books for a video-game. Or offer French tutoring for a kitchen table. After signing up, you can upload your items and wishes, search for anything on the marketplace, make and receive swap offers, and even chat with other swappers on Messages. It’s free and easy to use!

Gumtree Swap Shop

Gumtree is a great UK marketplace for buying and selling, a bit like Ebay, but without the fees! In addition, Gumtree also has a Swap Shop section where pretty much anything can be swapped from cars, to clothes, to phones, to toys. This site is well established so it’s worth a visit if you’re looking to swap some old stuff.

Read It Swap It

This is a UK book swap website. If you love reading actual old fashioned books like I do but are bored of the ones you already have, you can swap them for second hand books that you do want. This site has thousands of books to choose from. You just need to register some old books, then search for a book on the site that you fancy reading. Once you’ve found a title, you simply contact that member through the site who is automatically directed to look at your list of books. If they like one of your books, the swap can take place and the only fee to worry about is the postage for sending out your book.

Swapit

This UK online swap platform is aimed at young audiences between the age of 6-18 years old. There is no member contact and it’s a safe secure online environment which is good to know for parents! The site partners with public sector youth organisations and schools. Users earn virtual currency called ‘swapits’ for every item they swap which they can bank to spend on a wide range of new and used items like iPods, games, stickers, lego and much more.

There’s no cost attached except for the cost of posting your package onto the Swapit post room where it gets forwarded onto the recipient ‘swapper’ from there. I think this site is fantastic because it offers children the opportunity to learn about trading, business and economics as well as saving money and recycling!

Swapz

This is the UK’s biggest marketplace where you can swap, trade and sell nationwide. Anything goes on here from cars, phones, bikes, tools to toys. There’s also a section dedicated to giving away stuff for free! You can register and add listings for free.

Swap Shop

You can swap your unwanted books, DVDs, games and CDs on this website for Swap Points which you receive once you post out an item to another member. You then use your Swap Points to ‘buy’ used items offered! The site is free to join and swap, the only cost involved is the postage cost for sending out your old stuff.

Staff Share

Operating in the UK, this low cost service allows Employers to share their skilled Employees with other like minded organisations. Employers who redeploy skilled staff currently being underused into an organisation that needs such staff, can actually reduce their staffing costs. There are also benefits to Employees who want to take advantage of a secondment in terms of widening their work experience and future prospects!

Car Swappers

Fed up with your car? This website offers an opportunity for car owners to swap their cars with other users, potentially saving thousands of pounds in the process. You can advertise your car on this site with a free 90 day listing at the moment. You’d be swapping your car with a private individual, so it’s important to ask the right questions and make sure to get as much history as possible about the car that’s being swapped.

Swap Websites – US or Worldwide

Swishing

This is a site aimed at swapping fashion clothes and accessories with other fashionistas, saving money and recycling in the process. It started off in the UK, but the art of ‘swishing’ is now taking place globally! You can attend a Swishing Party (calendar of events on the website) or host one of your own. The rules are that you have to bring at least one item of quality clothing to swap and that everyone taking part has half an hour to browse before ‘swishing’ – claiming your new items. Swishers are not permitted to fight, scratch or spit!

Swap Treasures

This is a bartering website where you can give away all sorts of items you no longer want or use in return for points. Once these points have been received after sending your stuff to others, you can then trade the points by making a ‘best offer’ on items that you do want. There’s no fees whatsoever and you can gather a few points to use for swaps just by signing up. Pretty much anything can be swapped on here and this one seems to be geared up mostly for US swappers.

Title Trader

This is a global swap website that allows you to swap books, DVDs and music. After signing up, you list the items that you want to swap and when someone requests one of your titles, you send it out and pay for shipping. In return, you’ll receive a request point which you can use to request an item from another user (providing you have positive feedback that is).

Book Mooch

Another online exchange for used books which operates world wide. Like most other Book Swap websites, the service is free to use with the exception of postage costs for sending out the book. Every time you send someone a book, you earn a point to redeem on a used book title of your choice. When members post overseas, more points are allocated to make up for the extra postage cost!

Paperback Swap

Paperback Swap is the largest online book swapping community in the world! It seems to be mostly geared up for use in the US. You can swap books in the same way as on the other book swap sites mentioned above in terms of receiving points when you swap a book – the only fee is to pay for postage.

An added bonus is that when someone wants one of your old books, you automatically get a book wrapper to print out with mailing label and exact postage if you wish, meaning there is no need to go to the post office. It can be posted from your nearest post box! The estimated postage here is $2 – $2.50 to send a book.

SwapADVD

This site works in much the same way as Paperback Swap and operates in the US. You post 10 DVDs that you no longer want on the site and for that you receive 1 credit which enables you to start swapping. You receive further credits once you’ve started sending out the old DVDs on your list to other users. You can print off a wrapper and the exact postage to make it straightforward and convenient. The postage is the only cost to worry about and when you request a DVD for yourself, it’s free! Note: your DVDs which you want to swap must be originals!

SwapaCD

Like SwapADVD.com, you need to post 10 CDs that you no longer want to get started and you receive 1 free credit for doing so. You then need to purchase ‘SwapaCD Money’ which is sold in $5 increments. Each swap costs 1 credit plus $0.49 from your SwapaCD Money fund and you need to pay postage on the CDs you mail out (this site seems to be based in the US).

Swap.com (Valet Service)

Swap.com is the first online consumer to consumer department store where users can buy, swap or sell used items. Although anything can be listed, the site focuses on kids items mainly. It works in 3 steps: 1) Pack your kids stuff and send it to the logistics centre; 2) The logistics centre will store, photograph and list your stuff after you set the price (this is where the valet service conveniently comes in!); 3) Swap your stuff for other items, or money. The site operates in the UK, US, Finland and Germany.

Home Exchange

Swapping your home for a while is a great way to travel and explore other cultures by getting to stay in other user’s houses for free (therefore leaving you with more cash to spend on traveling)! The idea is that you can live as locals do, so if you love seeing the big wide world, this could be a great way to do it.

The Home Exchange website does charge a fee to list your property and contact other members, but it could be a small price to pay for a great holiday. Currently, the site has 46,000 homes listed for exchange in 142 different countries!

Itamos

This site is another home exchange website serving 90 countries across the world! If you want to explore other cultures and countries by staying in another member’s home for free, then this site is also worth a look. An added bonus is that this site is free to use.

Swap sites like these are a great way to make some extra cash, but if you want to learn how to turn things like this into consistent extra income check out multiplestreams.org.

Do you use swap websites already? What do you think about swapping things that you don’t want for things that you do?

*Please note, I have not been paid a commission to review any of these swap websites.

Related posts:

  • My list of free or cheap things to do!
  • Planning a cheap birthday party for kids.
  • My top 10 list of budget make up products.
Femme Frugality

Filed Under: Saving money Tagged With: best swap websites, save money by swapping, swap websites, swapping websites September 18, 2013

Comments

  1. 1

    Taynia | The Fiscal Flamingo says

    September 18, 2013 at 12:05 pm

    Let me just say I love swapping. Especially especially, did I say especially, kids clothing.
    Taynia | The Fiscal Flamingo recently posted…How Delicious Is Your Net Worth (And Why The Heck You Should Care)My Profile

    Reply
    • 2

      debtfreeoneday says

      September 18, 2013 at 2:27 pm

      Kid’s clothing is a good one to swap, because they grow out of clothes so fast. I’d soon be out of pocket if I had to buy new stuff for my daughter! πŸ™‚

      Reply
  2. 3

    Mrs. Pop @ Planting Our Pennies says

    September 18, 2013 at 2:07 pm

    I love freecycle, though the organizers would probably be annoyed if they knew they were being called a swap site. Our local branch is pretty explicit that you’re not allowed to organize “trades” and that the primary mission is being green, not saving anyone money or facilitating trades.
    Mrs. Pop @ Planting Our Pennies recently posted…Extending the ~5 Year Consumer Product LifecycleMy Profile

    Reply
    • 4

      debtfreeoneday says

      September 18, 2013 at 2:23 pm

      My mistake – I kind of saw it as a swap site of sorts given that they encourage you to give as well as receive but thanks for letting me know about that Mrs PoP. I’ll remove the site from this list! πŸ™‚

      Reply
  3. 5

    Thomas @ Finance Inspired says

    September 18, 2013 at 4:41 pm

    Good work with the list i’ve never even heard of half the UK sites. Not too sure id i’d risk simply swapping my car though. Mad concept.
    Thomas @ Finance Inspired recently posted…Attention Students! Stretch your budgetMy Profile

    Reply
    • 6

      debtfreeoneday says

      September 18, 2013 at 7:34 pm

      Thanks Thomas! Yeah I don’t think I would either – most of the cars I’ve owned have had major issues and the one I’ve got at the moment has been reliable so far so I wouldn’t want to swap it for another that I don’t know that much about. I know a couple of people who get really bored with their cars though so maybe they would consider this!

      Reply
  4. 7

    lyle @ the Joy of Simple says

    September 18, 2013 at 8:12 pm

    Wow debtfreeoneday, great post!!

    I knew about the book swapping thing, but had no clue about all the rest! Very cool.

    I have a slew of CD’ and DVD’s I could easily swap as well as books. I love the idea of home swapping although I’m not sure if I would be totally comfortable swapping out my place. And really not sure how my cat would like having strangers hanging around πŸ™‚

    Thanks for the time and energy it took to do check out all those sites for us!!

    Take care and all the best.

    Lyle
    lyle @ the Joy of Simple recently posted…Book Review And Oh Yeah…My First Give-Away πŸ™‚My Profile

    Reply
    • 8

      debtfreeoneday says

      September 18, 2013 at 8:38 pm

      Thanks Lyle! I’m so glad you enjoyed this article. I’d be tempted by home swapping in the future I think! From what I’ve read on these sites, a lot of members treat it like a family community where you really get to know the person that you’re swapping homes with. Some members even leave their cars for the ‘swapper’ to use!

      Reply
      • 9

        lyle @ the Joy of Simple says

        September 19, 2013 at 2:19 am

        Well if that’s the case, then I ‘d be more inclined to test the waters so to speak. It truly is amazing what the Net provides πŸ™‚

        Take care and all the best.

        Lyle
        lyle @ the Joy of Simple recently posted…Book Review And Oh Yeah…My First Give-Away πŸ™‚My Profile

        Reply
        • 10

          debtfreeoneday says

          September 19, 2013 at 7:43 am

          You too Lyle. πŸ™‚

          Reply
  5. 11

    Lisa E. @ Lisa Vs. The Loans says

    September 18, 2013 at 10:27 pm

    Whoa, thanks for this! I’m going to be getting rid of some clothing and books soon, definitely gonna check some of these sites out.
    Lisa E. @ Lisa Vs. The Loans recently posted…Weekend Recap: UsMy Profile

    Reply
    • 12

      debtfreeoneday says

      September 18, 2013 at 11:36 pm

      You’re welcome! Glad this post is of use to you! Let me know how you get on. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  6. 13

    KK @ Student Debt Survivor says

    September 19, 2013 at 3:14 am

    I’ve never used a website to swap, but I have been involved in clothing swaps (and cookie swaps) with friends. I love swapping because it saves money and saves stuff from going to the landfill. One woman’s trash is another woman’s treasure right?
    KK @ Student Debt Survivor recently posted…Would You ____ For Money?My Profile

    Reply
    • 14

      debtfreeoneday says

      September 19, 2013 at 7:45 am

      Cookie swapping sounds like my kind of thing! Yes I agree, swapping is great for recycling and for your pocket.

      Reply
  7. 15

    Tammy R says

    September 19, 2013 at 3:21 am

    Wow, I love this! While I don’t swap anything but books and that is rare anymore because I am now reading classics and more difficult reads, so no one wants my books. Hee hee!

    I can’t wait to check some of the sites you mention. I think we would definitely consider a home swap. While I do feel a bit apprehensive, I think I could overcome it knowing I wouldn’t have to pay for lodging while visiting other parts of the world! Thank you for putting this all together!

    Reply
    • 16

      debtfreeoneday says

      September 19, 2013 at 7:49 am

      Thanks Tammy! I’m so glad you found this post helpful! I think Home Swapping is a great concept. Imagine the money you could save whilst traveling? By the way, what classics are you reading at the moment? I keep meaning to delve into classics more. I’ve read a couple of Jane Austen and Bronte classics but that’s about it!

      Reply
  8. 17

    Michelle's Finance Journal says

    September 19, 2013 at 4:26 pm

    Interesting post. I never thought about swapping, but I might check these out and try it out. Thanks~
    Michelle’s Finance Journal recently posted…What’s Your Clutter Made Up Of?My Profile

    Reply
    • 18

      debtfreeoneday says

      September 19, 2013 at 11:40 pm

      You’re welcome! Hope that you find some of these swap sites useful Michelle. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  9. 19

    mochimac @ save. spend. splurge. says

    September 19, 2013 at 6:26 pm

    If only someone would come up with a consignment/thrift baby store where I can buy strollers and chairs on the cheap.
    mochimac @ save. spend. splurge. recently posted…What’s the one thing that would make you feel rich?My Profile

    Reply
    • 20

      debtfreeoneday says

      September 19, 2013 at 11:42 pm

      I haven’t found an online store for one of these yet – but you might find a bargain stroller on eBay?

      Reply
      • 21

        femmefrugality says

        September 22, 2013 at 11:22 pm

        In the US there’s a physical chain store called Once Upon A Child that’s pretty great. I’d check out local consignment or resale stores. Or a kids consignment event. I don’t know about Canada but they’ve become wildly popular around here.
        femmefrugality recently posted…Teach Your Kids to Be Safe Online and Win a Copy of the Lorax DVD & Blu Ray Combo PackMy Profile

        Reply
        • 22

          debtfreeoneday says

          September 23, 2013 at 7:34 am

          That’s really helpful, thanks Femme Frugality! πŸ™‚

          Reply
  10. 23

    Eva @ Girl Counting Pennies says

    September 19, 2013 at 8:36 pm

    I think swapping is a great idea! I’m thinking of swapping some of my books. I’ve heard of most of the UK websites you mentioned but I’ve never used any of them. Have you?
    Eva @ Girl Counting Pennies recently posted…5 Fun Things to Do This AutumnMy Profile

    Reply
    • 24

      debtfreeoneday says

      September 19, 2013 at 11:45 pm

      Yeah – swapping is great fun! I’ve done swaps for baby clothes on the Gumtree Swap Shop before and am trialing out Read It Swap It at the moment! I would love to go to a Swishing Party, the only thing is I don’t have anything that trendy to take along with me!

      Reply
    • 25

      H says

      February 8, 2014 at 11:46 am

      You missed out Swishing.co.uk – it’s awesome! πŸ™‚

      Reply
      • 26

        Hayley says

        February 8, 2014 at 2:04 pm

        I included Swishing.com but not the UK site. Thanks for bringing to my attention! πŸ™‚
        Hayley recently posted…Personal Finance Blog Roundup – Friday’s Fab Links #24My Profile

        Reply
  11. 27

    SuburbanFInance says

    September 20, 2013 at 2:11 pm

    I’ve never been one to swap, so I have never tried any of these out. It’s a good idea to save some cash though.
    SuburbanFInance recently posted…The Good Ol’ Expensive Hockey GameMy Profile

    Reply
    • 28

      debtfreeoneday says

      September 21, 2013 at 10:19 pm

      It’s not for everyone but worth considering if you do need to save money in certain areas. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  12. 29

    Stefanie @ The Broke and Beautiful Life says

    September 22, 2013 at 1:28 pm

    Amazing. I’ve hosted several clothing swap parties in my home, but I never knew there were so many online forums for the same thing!
    Stefanie @ The Broke and Beautiful Life recently posted…Survival Job Spotlight: Babysitting, Service, Personal Assisting, and More. My Journey.My Profile

    Reply
    • 30

      debtfreeoneday says

      September 22, 2013 at 6:46 pm

      Hope you can make use of these sites Stefanie. πŸ™‚ Swapping is a great way to save cash. Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  13. 31

    Paul says

    October 12, 2013 at 3:40 pm

    South Africa has an exciting new website that has just been released called http://www.swopmystuff.co.za Amazing how many people are swopping now, maybe an indicator of the financial times we are in….
    Paul recently posted…Positive feedback!My Profile

    Reply
    • 32

      Hayley says

      October 12, 2013 at 5:13 pm

      Thanks Paul for stopping by and letting us know about this new swap website! πŸ™‚

      Reply

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