Swap-Bot.com: Join the Online Swapping and Trading Craze

Get Great Stuff for Next to Nothing!

You've probably heard the story about the man who traded a red paper clip until he got a house. While this is an extreme example, it illustrates the fact that you really can get something for (next to) nothing. Read on to find out how you too can get into the swapping phenomenon.

Swap-Bot.com, created by Rachel and Travis Johnson is a free swapping site. Sign up for a free account by entering your name, email and a username and password. You also need to give your mailing address to receive your swaps as the majority of the swaps on this site go through the mail. There is an optional profile that you can fill out to that your swap partners can consult to send more personalized swap items. You do need to be at least 18 years old to sign up for the site.

To start swapping, you choose a swap you would like to participate and click on the sign-up link. At the end of the sign up period, partners will be automatically matched up by the site. After the sign-up deadline has passed, you will get a link to your swap partner's name and address.

After you have your swap partner, mail your swap item and click the Sent link on the site. This will let every one know that your item was sent and also save you from the reminder e-mails sent out when you are late sending your stuff.

When you get your stuff, you go back on the site and rate the person who sent your swap item. The rating system is in place to help identify people who sign up and then don't send so they may be excluded from future swaps at the discretion of each swap's coordinator.

Anyone can create a swap. Just decide on a topic and post the details to Swap-Bot. Swap categories range from art and accessories to yarn and zines. Craft type swaps are popular as well as art trading cards. Other swaps include those for mixed cd's, books, movies and postcards. There is even a miscellaneous category for anyone who has a swap idea that doesn't quite fit any of the other categories.

Many of the swaps are international and it is really interesting to see where each item you receive was shipped from. I have personally participated in two international swaps and it was very exciting to get packages from other countries.