Help & FAQ

What is SwapMe?

SwapMe is a local swapping marketplace. You trade things you're done with for things you actually want — no money changes hands. It's live in Auckland, with Las Vegas next.

Does it cost anything?

No. There are no fees, no credits and no payments. You give something, you get something.

How do I list something?

Take a photo or a few. We work out what it is, write a description, pick a category and condition, and estimate a rough value. You check it, fix anything that's off, and publish.

You can add up to five photos, and we read them all — a close-up of a model number or label helps a lot. You can add, remove or reorder photos later from the listing's edit page, add notes about anything the photos don't show (age, faults, what's included), and have the description rewritten from all of it.

You can also add one video, up to 30 seconds, to show something working. Videos play muted until the viewer turns the sound on, and like photos, any location your phone recorded in the video isn't passed on.

Do I need a password?

No. You sign in with a link we email you. Each link works once and lasts 15 minutes.

How do swaps happen?

Two ways. You can make an offer — one or more of your things for one of theirs — and they say yes or no. While they're deciding you can message, and change what you're offering ("throw in the cables and it's a deal"); they're told, and have to look at the new version before they can accept. Or you save things you'd happily take, and we look for matches for you: someone who wants something of yours and has something you want.

When we find a match, you both have 48 hours to say yes. Once you have, you'll see each other's name and can message to arrange the handover (we email you when a new message arrives, once per batch rather than for every line) — somewhere public, in daylight — and each confirm when you've got your item.

What is a three-way swap?

Sometimes the person who wants your bike doesn't have anything you want — but someone else does. In a three-way swap, you give to one person and get from another, and everyone ends up with something they wanted.

You only ever see what you give and what you get, so three-way swaps are handed over through drop-off points rather than in person. We're still setting those up, so for now we only suggest straight swaps between two people. Three-way swaps switch on in your area as soon as a drop-off point does.

What does saving an item do?

Saving tells us you'd take it. It's the single biggest thing you can do to get a swap — every save gives us another route to a match. You can also say which of your things you'd give for it.

What is auto-swap?

Auto-swap lets a swap complete without waiting for you to say yes. You describe what you'd take for your item — for example "men's jackets or hoodies, size L" — and we check every possible match strictly against that description.

Only items that clearly fit everything you said can be swapped automatically. If a listing doesn't say (no size, unclear who it's for), it isn't swapped without asking you. You can also limit auto-swap to things you've saved yourself, and set how uneven a trade you'll accept. Turn it off any time.

What is the estimated value?

It's a rough estimate from the photo, shown to everyone looking at the listing. It helps you judge a trade — what it's worth to you is what matters, and uneven trades are allowed.

Owners can change their figure, but if they set it well above our estimate, viewers are shown both. If a trade looks lopsided against you, we tell you before you commit.

What is a drop-off point?

A staffed local spot — like a community centre or parcel shop — that holds items for swaps, so you and the other person never have to meet or share contact details. It's free to use.

Here's how it works. Once a swap is agreed, you pick a drop-off point from the list, with its address and opening hours. You leave your item there during opening hours and tap "I've dropped it off". The other person does the same with theirs.

Nothing can be collected until everyone's item has arrived — nobody hands theirs over on the promise that a stranger will do the same. When everything's in, we email you, and you pick up the item you swapped for and tap "I've got my item".

If the swap falls through after you've dropped off, your item stays there for you to collect back.

We're still signing up drop-off points. When there's one near you, it appears as an option once your swap is agreed; until then, meet somewhere public.

How do we hand things over?

Meet somewhere public in daylight, or — where one is available — use a drop-off point so you never have to meet at all. At a drop-off point, nothing is released until everyone's item has arrived — nobody hands over their item on the promise that a stranger will hand over theirs.

How long do I have?

Offers expire after 7 days if nobody answers. Matches need everyone's yes within 48 hours. Once a swap is agreed, you have 7 days to complete the handover.

What if the other person doesn't show up?

If a swap isn't finished in time, it lapses and your item goes back on the market. If you've already left your item at a drop-off point, it's held there for you to collect back. People who don't turn up after a drop-off point has been chosen get a no-show on their public page, and we suggest their items less often.

Can I call off a swap?

Yes, as long as nothing has been dropped off yet. Everyone's items go back on the market and the other person is told.

Is it safe?

Meet in public places, in daylight, and bring someone if you like — or, where one is available, use a drop-off point and never meet at all. Before you agree to a swap, check the other person's page: how many swaps they've done, how they went, and any no-shows. You can block or report anyone from their listing or your conversation with them.

How does feedback work?

After a swap is done, you each say whether it went well or had problems, and can add a short comment. It's a thumbs up or down, not stars.

Everyone has a public page showing when they joined, how many swaps they've done, the share of ratings that went well, any no-shows, and recent comments. A short version — like "12 swaps · 100% positive" — appears on their listings and offers. Comments don't show who left them.

Only ratings from accounts at least a week old count, so nobody can prop themselves up with new accounts. If you get feedback saying a swap had problems, you can post one public reply. Comments can't include contact details or links, and anyone can report one; we hide comments that break the rules, but the rating itself still counts.

What happens when I block someone?

They can't see your listings or message you, and we'll never match you with them. Any offers between you are cancelled. They aren't told.

What happens when I report something?

A person reviews every report. Listings reported as dangerous or a scam by an established member are hidden straight away while we look; others are hidden once several people report them. Nothing is deleted until it's been reviewed.

Who can see where I live?

Nobody. Other people only see your suburb. We remove location data from photos when you upload them, so a photo taken at home doesn't give away your address.

What can't I list?

Anything illegal to sell or give away, weapons, drugs, alcohol and tobacco, prescription medicines, animals, recalled or unsafe products, counterfeits, and adult content. If in doubt, leave it out.

Can I change which city I swap in?

Yes, from your Profile. Your listings move with you, but saved items and pending offers are cleared, because swaps only happen within one city. You can't move while a swap is in progress.

How do I delete my account or my data?

Email us and we'll delete it. You can withdraw any listing yourself at any time from My Stuff.

How do I get help?

Email us at the address at the bottom of every page. A person reads every message.