Trading for music, books, and video games at Swaptree.com

Posted by: Spencer // December 17 2009

Overview: Swaptree.com is a website where users can obtain books, CDs, and video games for all major game systems by trading their items with other members.

How it works:

Starting is pretty simple: signing up for the site requires only a username, password, and email address. From there you can upload all the items you’re willing to trade by entering a UPC or ISBN code. You can also browse the site and click on those items you either want to trade for or want to get rid of. Once you’ve created both lists, you sit back and wait for trades, or you can initiate a trade yourself. Swaptree will tell you what items you are eligible to trade for and what items you need to send in trade. Swaptree will also attempt to find local trading partners for you.

Thoughts: Trading is a great way to save money, especially if you have a lot of books or video games just gathering dust. Swaptree seems to make the process relatively simple. I have a couple of concerns about using the site. Although there is a rating system, the site is relatively news, so a lot of the traders don’t have much history to go by. And some of the trades seem a bit loopy: in one strange transaction, you could trade a Wii Fit for a copy of Twilight.

The inventory is a bit limited, as it is better for older more established items than new ones. For instance, I don’t know if I would be comfortable trading a brand new copy of Madden Football here. Even if you could make a trade, you’d have a problem making an even one. Either you’ll end up feeling taken or you’ll feel like a thief. For books and CDs, however, where the values are pretty similar in trade, this site makes a lot more sense.

Overall: Swaptree is a good idea that bears watching, but it shouldn’t be the first stop for anyone looking for that new bestselling book, video game, or movie.

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