Bartering And Trading Platforms For Goods And Services In The United States

Bartering serves as a means of swapping goods and services without using money. This approach represents an old-fashioned way to save money and make use of skills and assets, particularly during times of economic uncertainty. In these periods, individuals can still obtain necessary items even without cash reserves. Potential scenarios include swapping babysitting with a friend or trading extra garden vegetables for someone else’s free-range eggs. Individuals might also exchange services, such as offering help with a house project in exchange for car repairs.

While bartering often starts with friends or neighbors, the internet has expanded these possibilities through various websites and apps. These platforms facilitate the exchange of items ranging from everyday goods to real estate and travel accommodations.

General Goods and Local Trading Platforms

Several platforms focus on general goods and local trading, allowing users to exchange a wide variety of items without spending money.

Craigslist

Craigslist features classified ads for items for sale, but it also includes specific sections for barter and trade. Users can search by city to find the nearest items or services they need or post their own items for free. If a user cannot find what they are looking for, they can create "wanted" ads.

Facebook Marketplace and Groups

Facebook offers multiple avenues for bartering. There are groups dedicated to almost every topic, including local yard sales, neighborhood pages, and specific barter and trade groups. Users can search for local groups or create a new one if none exist. Facebook Marketplace allows users to see who they are trading with before meeting up to exchange items.

Freecycle

Freecyle functions as the Craigslist of freebies. Users list unwanted items for free and connect with people who want them. The platform allows searching for free things needed by the user. No cash changes hands, and individual groups are set up according to location to facilitate finding free stuff nearby. Signing up for their newsletter keeps users informed of new items in their area.

Swapsies

Swapsies is a mobile application described as a bartering app that makes exchanging items easy. It is 100% free to use. The app connects users to local bartering and trade partners. It allows users to discover hidden treasures and swap stuff, functioning like a thrift store before items get picked through. The value proposition involves discovering new-to-you clothing, art, electronics, sporting goods, and oddities. The app empowers users to transform the value of neglected items into belongings they will cherish. Swapsies believes in the power of bartering to create a sustainable future and aims to empower individuals to exchange secondhand items to contribute to a circular economy.

MatchTrade

MatchTrade is an app designed as an easy way to trade old stuff for new stuff. Users list items they want to trade and look for items they want. Local pickup is an option for faster trading. It takes just seconds to post an item. The app is available on both Google Play and the Apple App Store.

TradeStuff

TradeStuff is an app that offers secure bartering and trading. It features dispute resolution, staked collateral, and uses a feedback system to make the site safe and secure.

Barter Bay

Barter Bay helps users buy, sell, and trade locally. As a bonus, when users sign up for an account and post items, they earn bbCoins. These coins can be traded in for free gift cards to popular sites like Amazon.com.

Barter Bucks Banc

Barter Bucks Banc allows users to swap cars, motorcycles, boats, services, goods, and anything else imaginable. Users are encouraged to watch an introductory video and check guidelines to ensure safe and easy trades.

Barterbu

Barterbu makes trading simple through an easy-to-use trading app. It is available for download on both iOS and Android devices.

Listia

Listia uses its own virtual currency. Users list and sell items for Listia’s currency, which can then be spent on their website. Users get free Inx (the platform's currency) just for signing up for an account.

Fashion and Clothing Swaps

For those interested in fashion, specific platforms exist to trade clothing and accessories.

Rehash

Rehash is a free site for swapping clothes. Users list the clothes they want to swap, and other visitors make offers. When a user accepts an offer and ships the requested item, they get to choose clothes they want from the other party. The site promotes environmental benefits and helps users make new friends.

thredUP

ThredUp is a platform to purchase used clothes. While it is not a barter site, it is mentioned for its great deals. Users can search by brand, size, color, or type and save searches for future needs. ThredUp occasionally accepts clothing to sell on commission.

Vinted

Vinted is a buy-and-sell site for pre-worn (used) clothes. It is a way to declutter a wardrobe and discover new-used finds for a personal closet.

Books, Media, and Entertainment

Trading books, movies, and video games is a popular category for bartering.

PaperBack Swap

PaperBack Swap facilitates trading books. The platform lists paperbacks, hardback books, audiobooks, and textbooks. Users list books they want to trade. When a book is requested, the user pays the postage to mail it to the recipient. Once the book is sent, the user is free to choose a book, and shipping to them is free. The book is theirs to keep, but it can be swapped again later.

Play’N’Swap

Play’N’Swap allows users to make direct trades with other members for video games. Alternatively, users can make cash offers for items if they prefer.

Game Trading Zone

Game Trading Zone allows users to create a free account to check out new video games and movies. Users can swap out their games and movies for new (used) ones.

SwitchPlanet

SwitchPlanet allows users to trade video games, DVDs, CD, and books.

Housing and Property Exchanges

Platforms exist for those looking to trade larger assets, such as homes or land.

Go Swap

Go Swap is useful for those in the market for a new permanent home. Users can trade properties or other large items, ranging from land to houses to campers.

Home Exchange

Home Exchange is a platform for finding a place to stay. Users list their home and earn points when people stay at their place. These points can then be used to stay at other people’s homes on the network. There is a yearly fee which includes perks such as insurance. Swaps are direct, and no money changes hands. Representatives from around the world work with users to ensure an excellent experience.

Love Home Swap

Love Home Swap is another site where users can trade homes to stay in. The site utilizes ID verification, peer reviews, annual fees, and a support team to keep the platform safe to use.

Service and Skill Exchanges

Bartering is not limited to physical goods; services can also be exchanged.

Simbi

Simbi is a website that offers swaps for services.

Shared Earth

Shared Earth connects people who have unused gardening space or gardening tools with people who want to garden. Users create an account using Facebook and fill out a profile. They can then browse gardens or gardeners near them to find a fit.

Wana and Komae

These are babysitting swap apps. Users can swap babysitting in their neighborhood.

TrustedHousesitters

For pet lovers, this platform allows users to trade house and pet sitting services for a place to stay all around the world. For a single annual fee, users can look for a pet and home sitter to stay in their home while they are away, or find a vacation in exchange for caring for someone else’s pets and home.

Business Barter Exchanges

For small businesses, more formal exchanges exist to trade unsold goods or excess capacity.

TradeFirst

TradeFirst allows businesses to use their own currency to buy, sell, and gain new customers. It focuses on businesses helping other businesses.

BizX

BizX is similar to Barter Network but does not charge membership fees or dues, though it does charge a transaction fee.

The National Association of Trade Exchanges (NATE)

NATE maintains a database of barter exchanges. However, users must become a member (at a cost of $495 annually) to search the database.

International Reciprocal Trade Association (IRTA)

The IRTA offers connections to other barter-friendly businesses and contacts. Access to the network and information requires a membership.

Barter Network

Barter Network connects businesses so they can trade unsold goods for materials they need, converting a loss into cash savings. Access requires a membership fee, dues, and transaction fees.

IMS Barter

IMS Barter allows businesses to trade both unsold goods and excess capacity on an international scale.

Conclusion

Bartering remains a viable method for obtaining goods and services without cash. The landscape has evolved from local person-to-person swaps to include a wide array of digital platforms catering to specific needs. From general goods on Craigslist and Facebook to specialized services like babysitting swaps and house exchanges, there are options for almost every requirement. For businesses, formal exchanges offer structured ways to conserve cash and utilize excess capacity. While some platforms are completely free, others require annual fees or transaction costs, which users should verify before engaging.

Sources

1. Urban Survival Site
2. Swapsies
3. Lifehacker