17 March 2015

Trading Stuff Sites Are Popular

By Lena Stephenson


Before money was used, bartering of goods and services took place. However, the introduction of money made bartering largely redundant. It is only recently that it has become popular once more, thanks to the internet. On trading stuff sites, you can exchange goods like books, games, electronics, furniture and clothing. It is even possible to trade big ticket items like cars, motorbikes and boats in this way.

There are very large sites where all kinds of goods and services are traded. Niche websites deal with one particular service such pet caring or house cleaning or the bartering of specific goods such as games, books, clothing or furniture. A site may also be dedicated to serving a certain area, enabling people to easily meet face to face to do the exchange.

Registration on these websites is simple and one can begin bartering immediately. It is as easy as listing the items for trading, browsing through items listed by others until one finds what one is looking for and making an offer which is then accepted or declined. Most of these sites welcome new members and the more the better. Other websites are more exclusive and one may have to be introduced by a current member.

It helps to do some research before choosing a site as they all have different ways of operating, some of which are safer than others. You need to understand exactly how the trade is going to take place and what measures need to be taken to ensure safety. If you are going to meet someone, make sure that it is in a safe place with plenty of people about such as in a local coffee shop.

Many smaller, less expensive items are posted or shipped, making it unnecessary to meet the other person. Instructions given on the website need to be carefully followed to ensure the exchange proceeds satisfactorily. On some sites, members do not communicate directly with one another. Members get points for the items they post and they can use these to get items they want.

One of the problems involved in trading, is deciding on an equal trade. What is considered valuable by one individual may not be valued by another. An acceptable often depends largely on needs and wants. Websites dedicated to helping parents swap clothes use this principle. Children outgrow their clothes so quickly and instead of buying new ones, parents can exchange gently worn items with other parents.

Some of these websites offer only clothing and accessories. They give you the opportunity to update your wardrobe without spending money. You can exchange clothing you are tired of wearing for fresh items. In most households there are items of furniture that are no longer wanted or used. Perhaps you have a coffee table that is sitting in your overcrowded garage. This may be exactly what someone else is looking for and you can swap it for some side tables you really need.

These websites for bartering goods and services are becoming more and more popular. In tough economic times people often sit with items they no longer want and do not have the money to buy new items. Bartering provides a way of addressing this and the satisfaction of getting what one wants without money exchanging hands.




About the Author: