When it comes to buying something, you want to make sure you get a good deal. Buying something from the Swappa marketplace is a great way to save money, after all, it is much cheaper buying newish instead of buying new. However, when you are buying something online you are buying something from someone you’ve never met or seen before, so trust plays a key factor. You need to be comfortable with the marketplace, and also with the seller — and this is where Swappa shines.
Table of contents:
- Here’s why you should buy from the Swappa marketplace
- How to get started buying on Swappa
- Tips to ensure a smooth transaction on Swappa
Here’s why you should buy from the Swappa marketplace
When you buy (or sell) something on Swappa, you will deal directly with other users — other people, just like yourself. Dealing directly with other people means cutting out the middle person, which as a buyer, means you will get better prices and less hassle.
But…while we take pride in being able to cut out the middle person, that doesn’t mean Swappa staff isn’t around. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Our support team is available 24/7/365, and the team aims to reply in minutes, instead of hours or days.
Swappa is a safe and secure marketplace
Swappa’s moderation team works all day, every day, including nights, weekends, and holidays, to keep the junk out of the marketplace and to make sure you will not have to deal with any jerks. Our moderation team reviews listings to make sure everything sold in the Swappa marketplace meets our device criteria requirements.
The listing review process includes checking all aspects of the listing, including verification photos, and the ESN/IMEI numbers. Swappa staff also checks the account history of the seller during the listing review process to make sure there aren’t any outstanding or unresolved issues from earlier sales. We use Payal for marketplaces on Swappa due to the extensive payment protections they offer buyers (and sellers).
Swappa is an easy-to-use marketplace
Whether you know exactly what you want, or you are still trying to decide, the Swappa marketplace is easy to use and simple to navigate. If you are ready to buy a specific model, you can get started with a simple search using the search bar found at the top of every page on Swappa.
Otherwise, if you are still undecided, you can use the on-site menu (also located on the top of every page), or click on any of the product category icons for Phones, Laptops, Watches, Video Games, Home Tech, and more.
Swappa also has an option to subscribe to a device category, so you can get an email notification when a certain product is listed for sale. The subscribe option means you will be amongst the first to see new listings and that you will be able to snag a good deal.
How to get started buying on Swappa
Getting started on Swappa is quick and easy. You can buy something once you set up a Swappa account, and you can complete your payment using a PayPal account or as a PayPal guest. Of course, we recommend you have a PayPal account, as opposed to using the guest option.
Should I use a PayPal account or use guest checkout?
There are a few perks to checking out using a PayPal account, as opposed to a guest account, and the key reason deals with speed and simplicity. Granted, it may take a few extra minutes to set up your PayPal account, but it will make things simpler, in the long run, to have a PayPal account.
- Once you have your PayPal account set up (and your payment information and shipping address are saved in your PayPal account), you can complete purchases with just a few clicks.
- Should an issue arise post-sale, having the payment history in your PayPal account will make it quicker and easier to reference the transaction.
Of course, while we recommend that you have a PayPal account for convenience, it is important to note that all payments are processed through PayPal, which is really just to say that as a buyer, you are protected on all purchases, even as a guest.
You can create your Swappa account, and also get your PayPal account connected using the following links:
- Create your Swappa account
- Connect your PayPal account
Tips to ensure a smooth transaction on Swappa
One aspect of having a good experience with Swappa comes down to communication. In fact, we’d say that good communication is the most important piece when it comes to a smooth transaction. This also goes back to why we recommend having a Swappa account, as opposed to using a guest account. Using a Swappa account means you will be able to easily communicate with other users — before and after you buy something.
- Using a Swappa account before you buy something means you can easily ask a seller a question and get notifications for their replies.
- Having a Swappa account after you buy something means that you will be able to access your private sale page.
The private sale pages are used to communicate details related to the purchase. You can ask the seller questions, and the private sale page is where the seller provides information related to your purchase, such as the tracking number for your shipment. The private sale page also lets you leave feedback for the seller once the purchase is completed.
A few other tips to help ensure a smooth transaction include the following:
- Make sure you carefully review each listing before you click the Buy Now button.
- Make sure to review the sellers star rating and their feedback.
- Make sure to carefully inspect and test each device after it is delivered.
And, going back to the communication aspect — if you have any questions, it is best to reach out to the seller before you buy. If you run into an issue after you purchase something, it is best to report it to the seller as quickly as possible. Swappa staff is also available via our help desk if you have any questions, concerns, or issues.
Swappa launched in 2010, and its initial goal was to provide an alternative to other online marketplaces such as Craigslist and eBay. That goal is just as important today. Swappa has grown significantly since its launch and currently serves as a safe, secure, and easy-to-use marketplace for buying and selling gently used technology. But don’t just take our word for it — we also encourage you to review our Trustpilot reviews, which Swappa buyers and sellers post.