Tell me more about the Public Beta Launch

On Monday, March 22, we are moving out of private beta and unveiling Swapsity to the public. No more invitations needed! Thanks to the feedback contributed by our private beta testers, we have been able to greatly enhance the site's usability and functionality. Now, we are ready to share Swapsity with Canadians!

What is Swapsity?

Swapsity is a green consumer bartering community for Canadians. The site enables swapping of virtually every good and service. Uneven barter exchanges can be balanced with cash. We are your one-stop bartering destination for eco-friendly and budget-conscious Canadians who want to turn trash into treasure, instead of sending it to landfills.

Is Swapsity free?

Swapsity is free. There are no transaction fees, no listing fees and no membership fees. We offer a full range of free tools to help users communicate, manage matches, negotiate multiple swaps, track favourite items and swappers, create barter communities, and provide detailed item and user information. For users who wish to go above and beyond the free tools, you can try out our paid Premium Features. Premium Features are optional tools that help users showcase their items within our community and enhance listings with links, extra pictures and more.

Can users also sell their items?

Yes. We offer members the flexibility of swapping and selling, though swapping is preferred. When selling, users simply swap their items for cash.

Does everyone have something to barter?

We all have something to barter. For many of us it's skill or knowledge. Whether you excel at baking, home repairs, speaking a foreign language or offering real estate advice, your talents can traded for something you need. At Swapsity, even your time is valuable. Offer your services as a dog walker, babysitter or administrative assistant and get something fabulous in return. In addition, take a look at your clutter. Those unwanted books, CDs and toys don't have to collect dust. Post them and get something you need instead! For more suggestions, check out our swap ideas.

What can be traded on Swapsity?

Virtually every item or skill imaginable can be bartered on Swapsity. Items can be traded for items, skills traded for skills or any combination two barterers can agree on, including equalizing uneven trades with cash.

How does skill swapping work?

When posting skills or services on Swapsity, members specify how much an hour of their time is worth. For example, a member can value his piano teaching skills at $50/hour for advanced students and barter it for two hours of private yoga lessons for beginners worth $25/hour. It's also possible to trade skills for items.

How does Swapsity work?

Swapsity users simply post, get matched and start swapping. Members create one list of their swappable goods and services and another for the things they want in return while Swapsity instantly generates local matches to jumpstart swapping. The proximity tool (showing distance between two users) and swap matching tool help members connect with swappers in their area. Users can message each other and decide whether they want to accept a swap offer, negotiate or decline it. They can also equalize uneven barter exchanges with cash. Once a deal is made online, swappers exchange in person or ship the items. Transaction feedback and rating system establish a member's track record and builds trust within the barter community. Most importantly, membership and transactions are free, so users can swap to their heart's content without breaking the bank.

What are some of the unique tools?

Does Swapsity use barter dollars or trade dollars?

No. Uneven barter trades are balanced can be balanced cash. Barter is further facilitated by our swap matching tool

In what provinces are you available?

Swapsity is available in most major cities in Ontario and British Columbia. The majority of our users are in the Greater Toronto Area. We plan to expand to other provinces.

Have you received past media coverage?

Yes, please read more here.

What brought about the idea for Swapsity?

Swapsity was created to make swapping available to Canadian consumers. In the words of Swapsity founder, Marta Nowinska, "While business barter exchanges are widespread in Canada, bartering is not easily accessible to Canadian consumers. Seeing a compelling market need, Swapsity pioneered the concept of individual and group barter, making it easy for ordinary Canadians to reap the rewards."

How can Swapsity help with spring cleaning?

Spring cleaning is a perfect chance to unload unused items - those impulsively purchased shoes that couldn't be returned, the extra TV that sits unwatched, books you've already read, DVDs that are just gathering dust or boxes of old toys. Instead of throwing clutter to the curb, trade it for something you really need on Swapsity! Post plenty of pictures, upload videos of your clutter and trade it for new treasure or services. Most importantly, our matching tool will help you find new homes for your castoffs right in your neighbourhood.

What are the advantages of barter?

Tell me more about the barter boom

With the slow economy, many Canadian families are more judicious in their spending habits. They want to hang on to their cash while continuing to obtain much needed goods and services. Arranging local exchanges on Swapsity is an excellent way to beat this unfriendly economy. For example, it is possible to get a haircut through Swapsity, all on barter! For more media coverage of the barter boom by BNN and Global News, please view it here.

What are some of the success stories?

We recently started featuring successful swap stories. You can read them a few of them on our site. Check out Cottage Exchange, Cottage Connection and Artful Swappers.

Why is bartering better?

Barter generates tangible value for both swappers. Put in economics lingo, in a typical barter transaction, both barterers are giving up something which has low marginal utility for them and trading it for something else that has a high marginal utility. If I am giving up a spare treadmill which is only taking up space in my basement, the item has little value to me. On the other hand, it has high importance to someone who cannot afford gym fees and would like an exercise machine. Simply put, junk gets swapped for jewels and everyone leaves happy.

Tell me more about your swap meets

From time to time, we host swap meets in the Toronto area to extend the impact of bartering into the local community. These green events bring swappers and eco-enthusiasts together under one roof to help keep useful things out of landfills, cut down on clutter and help bargain hunters find new treasures. Visit our swap meet page to learn more or view photos view photos from our past swap meets.

If you have any more questions, please do not hesitate to ask. Email us media@swapsity.ca.