Frequently asked questions
Browse by topic below. Most questions link through to a dedicated page where you can read the full detail.
Getting started
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Swapster is a free platform where you can exchange items and services you have for things you want — without money changing hands. You post a swap, the system finds a match, and you arrange a collection. Simple. Read more about Swapster.
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Yes — listing and swapping is completely free. We also offer optional paid promotions that give your swap more visibility on the platform, but you'll never need to pay to post or complete a swap.
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Register for an account, verify your email address, complete your profile, and add your address. After that you're ready to post your first swap. Our getting started guide walks you through it step by step.
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Your address is used to arrange collections once a swap is agreed, and to show you swaps that are closer to you. It is only shared with the person you're swapping with, and only after a swap is confirmed — never publicly on your profile.
Posting and swapping
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Click the "Swap Now" button, upload photos of what you're offering, describe what you'd like in return, and submit. The matching engine runs automatically in the background and will notify you when a match is found. Full posting guide here.
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Absolutely. Swapster supports services just as well as physical goods — lawn mowing, tutoring, guitar lessons, home repairs, and more. When posting a service, use a photo of yourself doing the task or of the tools you use. Units like hours make it easy to specify exactly what you're offering.
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Yes. You cannot list stolen, counterfeit, or illegal items, or anything that is dangerous, explicit, or violates our community standards. Anyone found doing so will have their account suspended. See our Terms of Service for the full list of prohibited items.
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You can edit a swap while it is open and unmatched. Once a match is found, editing is suspended to protect everyone in the swap. If a match is rejected, your swap returns to open and editing is available again.
Matching and chain swaps
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After you post a swap, the Swapster engine runs in the background comparing what you're offering against what other people are asking for, and vice versa. When a match is found, you'll receive a notification and can view what's being offered before deciding to accept or reject.
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A chain swap links three or more people together so that everyone gets what they want, even when no two people are a direct match for each other. You receive from one person and pass your item on to another — the system closes the loop automatically. Learn how chain swaps work.
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If you reject a match, the whole chain collapses and every swap in it returns to open — freeing everyone up to be matched again. Your swap will also become editable again, so you can update it before it re-enters the matching pool.
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Yes. Every person in the chain must accept their match for the swap to be locked in. Once everyone has accepted, the swap is confirmed and you'll be asked to arrange a collection.
Fulfillment & Collections
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Once everyone in the chain has accepted their match, fulfillment works like this:
- The seller creates an arrangement. They choose how the item or service will be handed over — collection, delivery, postal, or a service call — set a time window, and submit.
- The buyer reviews and confirms. The buyer checks the details and clicks Confirm if they're happy. If the time doesn't work, they can request a different window instead.
- The seller confirms to lock it in. Once the buyer has confirmed, the seller confirms their side. The arrangement is now locked and both parties are committed.
- The exchange happens. You meet, post, or perform the service as agreed.
- The buyer marks it as received. Once they have the item or service in hand, they confirm receipt on the arrangement page. When all parties across the chain have done this, ratings unlock.
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There are five fulfillment types:
- They collect from me — the buyer comes to your address to pick up the item.
- I deliver to them — you take the item directly to the buyer's address.
- Post / courier — you ship the item via a carrier (e.g. Royal Mail, DPD). You'll choose the carrier and service, and can add a tracking number once dispatched.
- Service at my location — you provide a service at your own address (the buyer comes to you).
- Service at their location — you travel to the buyer's address to perform the service.
The address on the arrangement will automatically switch to the correct party's address depending on which type you choose.
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The seller proposes the arrangement, so it's only fair that the buyer gets to review and agree first. The buyer confirms the time and location work for them — or requests a change if they don't. Once the buyer is happy and confirms, the seller then confirms to lock everything in. This order means neither party is committed until both have actively agreed, and the buyer always has the chance to raise a concern before the arrangement is finalised.
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As the buyer, you can click Request different time on the arrangement page instead of confirming. This notifies the seller that the window doesn't work and asks them to propose a new one. The seller edits the arrangement with a new time, which resets the confirmation cycle — you then review the updated details and confirm when you're happy, and the seller confirms to lock it in. You can go back and forth as many times as needed before either party confirms.
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Yes — choose Post / courier as your fulfillment type when creating the arrangement. You'll select your carrier (e.g. Royal Mail, DPD) and service level, and can add a tracking number once you've dispatched the item. The buyer's address is used as the delivery destination automatically.
Please read our safety guidance before posting. Always use a tracked service, agree on who covers postage costs before confirming, and only mark the swap as received once the item has safely arrived.
Exchange value — MXV and EXV
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The MXV is the market-driven value of an item — calculated from how many people are currently asking for it versus how many are offering it, combined with a time-weighted average from historical completed swaps. It's the same for everyone; it reflects what the community collectively values that item at. Full explanation here.
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Your EXV is the MXV adjusted by your reputation as a swapper. A good rating boosts your EXV by up to 20%. A poor rating reduces it by up to 20%. New members with no rating history start at the neutral MXV. Think of it like a seller reputation — trust has value. Learn more about EXV and MXV.
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No. The MXV and EXV are guides, not rules. You can ask for whatever you like in return — Swapster won't block a swap because the values don't match exactly. The numbers are there to help you and the people you're swapping with make informed decisions.
Ratings
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After each completed swap, both parties rate the experience across three areas: item quality, timing, and comparison value — each scored 1 to 5. Your overall rating is an average across all your swaps, and it directly affects the EXV shown on your future listings. More on ratings in the getting started guide.
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A bad rating will reduce the EXV on your future listings by up to 20%. It's a signal to the community to be cautious. The good news: ratings are averaged across all your swaps, so a single poor experience won't define you permanently — consistent good swapping rebuilds your score.
Safety
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Always meet in a public, well-lit place — a café, shopping centre, or library is ideal. Let someone know where you're going, bring a friend if you'd feel more comfortable, and inspect items before completing the swap. Trust your instincts — it's always okay to walk away. Read our full safety guide.
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Every listing, profile, and message on Swapster has a Report button. Use it — you're helping protect the whole community. You can also block any member at any time. Reports are reviewed by our moderation team and your identity is never shared with the person reported. For urgent safety concerns, contact emergency services (999) first.
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Always inspect items before completing the swap — once marked as collected, the swap is considered done. If someone behaves dishonestly, please report them so we can investigate and take action. You can also reflect this in your rating, which warns other members. Contact us at [email protected] if you need help.
Your data and privacy
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We hold the information you give us when you register and use the platform — your name, email, address, swap history, and any messages or ratings. We don't sell your data to third parties. Read our full Privacy Policy.
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Swapster uses cookies to keep you logged in and to remember your preferences. We don't use third-party advertising cookies. Read our Cookie Policy for full details.
Still have a question?
Our support team is happy to help. Reach us at [email protected] or use the contact form.