Four steps, ten minutes of effort, and something you don't use turns into something you need. Here's the whole process, start to finish.
Take one clear photo, give the item an honest title, pick its condition and your city, then write what you'd like in return. That last line is the important one — it's what the matching runs on. "Winter tires, 205/55R16" plus "looking for a desk or an office chair" is enough to start getting offers.
Browse shows everything in a grid you can search by item, keyword or city. Swipe shows one item at a time, ordered by how well it lines up with what you said you wanted, so the closest matches come first. Swipe when you're exploring, browse when you know exactly what you're hunting for.
Found something? Message the owner and say exactly what you're offering, its condition, and where you are. Specific messages get replies; "is this available?" usually doesn't. Ask any questions about wear, sizing or missing parts now, while it's still easy to change your mind.
Agree on a public place and a time that works for both of you, bring the item, look each other's over, and trade. It usually takes ten minutes. Afterwards, delete the listing so you stop getting messages about something that's already gone.
Value in bartering isn't a number, it's usefulness. These four habits are what separate trades that close from messages that go quiet.
Mention the scratch, the missing cable, the fading. People trade happily with someone who told them the truth and almost never with someone who didn't.
The best swaps aren't the ones where you "won" — they're the ones where both items get used again. An unused blender for a bike you'll ride is a great trade even if a price tag would disagree.
"Anything" gets you nothing. "A desk, a monitor, or help moving a couch" gets you three kinds of offer, and it tells our matching what to put in front of people.
If your side feels lighter, throw in something small or an hour of help. Balancing a trade with effort rather than money is the whole point of the platform.
Trades happen between people, so a few simple habits keep every swap uneventful — which is exactly what you want it to be.
Coffee shops, malls, libraries, transit stations, busy parking lots in daylight. Bring a friend for anything bulky or valuable, and never swap inside a stranger's home.
Look at how long they've been here, what else they've listed and what they're after. Vague answers and rushed pressure to meet are the two clearest reasons to pass.
In-app messaging keeps a record of what was agreed and means you don't hand out your phone number to arrange a ten-minute swap. Move off-platform only once you trust someone.
Never send money, gift cards or e-transfers — this is a no-cash platform, and any request for payment is a red flag you can report to us.
Trading is local, so most people start with their own city page and the kind of thing they want. Pick a city to see who is trading nearby, or a category to see what usually moves fastest.
Adding an item takes about thirty seconds, and it's the only way to find out what people would give you for it.