What is Swapsity?

Swapsity is a Canadian consumer bartering website helping eco-friendly and budget-conscious Canadians go green through barter. The site facilitates online exchanges of items and skills between members. Virtually everything imaginable can be swapped on Swapsity, turning trash into treasure instead of sending it to landfills. We are a one-stop swapping destination providing members with the ultimate range of tools for versatility and flexibility.

How do I join?

Joining our bartering community is free and easy. Simply create your account and you are all set to start swapping!

Do I need to create an account to use the site?

If you simply wish to browse the site, you do not need to be a member. However, if you would like to be able to trade with other local members, you will need to create an account.

Is Swapsity free?

Yes, Swapsity is free! There are no transaction fees, no listing fees and no membership fees. We offer a full range of free tools to help users communicate, manage matches, negotiate multiple swaps, track favourite items and swappers, create personal barter communities, and provide detailed item and user information. For users who wish to go above and beyond the free tools, you can try out our paid Premium Features. Premium Features are optional tools that help users showcase their items within our community and enhance listings with links, extra pictures and more.

Is Swapsity available throughout Canada?

Yes. However, some provinces have more swappers than others. If you’re city is not listed on Swapsity, you can request it here.

What can members trade on Swapsity?

Virtually every item or skill imaginable can be bartered on Swapsity. Items can be traded for items, skills traded for skills or any combination two barterers can agree on, including equalizing uneven trades with cash. Here are a few examples.

Does everyone have something to barter?

We all have something to barter. For many of us it's skill or knowledge. Whether you excel at baking, home repairs, speaking a foreign language or offering real estate advice, your talents can be traded for something you need. At Swapsity, even your time is valuable. Offer your services as a dog walker, babysitter or administrative assistant and get something fabulous in return. In addition, take a look at your clutter. Those unwanted books, CDs and toys don't have to collect dust. Post them and get something you need instead! For more suggestions, check out our swap ideas.

How do I communicate with other members?

You can send them a question or propose a trade by sending a swap offer. You need to be a Swapsity member to communicate with other users.

How does Swapsity work?

In a nutshell, simply post everything you are offering for barter and seeking in return, get matched by our user-friendly matching tool and then start swapping your trash for new treasures.

Members create lists of the items and skills they have to offer and a wish list of what they are looking for. Then, Swapsity instantly generates local matches to jumpstart swapping. Users can message each other and decide whether they want to accept an offer, negotiate it or decline it as well as equalize uneven exchanges with cash. Once a deal is made, swappers exchange in person or ship the items. Transaction feedback and rating system establishes a member's track record and builds trust within the barter community. Membership is free and there are no transaction fees for swaps.

How does skills swapping work?

When posting skills or services on Swapsity, members specify how much an hour of their time is worth. For example, a member can value his piano teaching skills at $50/hour for advanced students and barter it for two hours of private yoga lessons for beginners worth $25/hour. It's also possible to trade skills for items.

Does Swapsity use barter dollars, trade dollars or points?

No. Uneven barter trades can be balanced with cash. Barter is further facilitated by our swap matching tool.

How do I swap?

Our swap matching tool makes bartering easy as pie. Once you have listed all your items and skills for barter, Swapsity instantaneously generates relevant local matches to jumpstart swapping. Now you are ready to start browsing our suggestions to find those treasures you have been looking for and reach out to other swappers directly if you see something that catches your eye. If you wish to send a swap offer, simply click on Swap or if you need further information about the listing/offered items, click on Send Message to connect with the other member. When making swap offers, you select the items and/or skills you can offer the other swappers in exchange for your item. You may want to even out the offer with cash to make it fair and include transaction related comments. When you are all set, click on Make an Offer. The other party will have an option of accepting, declining or negotiating the barter offer. After finalizing the swap online, you can make arrangements to meet in person or ship locally.

How do I manage all of my swap transactions?

All ongoing swap transactions can be easily managed from your User Account, which is your personal swap traffic controller. The User Account lets you view and easily manage all incoming and outgoing swap offers, watched items, posted items and skills, your favourite swappers, newly posted items in your favourite categories, group transactions and much more.

Can I sell things instead of barter them?

Yes. We offer members the flexibility of swapping and selling, though swapping is preferred. When selling, users simply swap their items for cash.

How do I find items in my location?

You can filter listings by location via the pull down menu, use advanced search as well as review your local swap matches found right in your account. You can also find items in your location here.

Are barter transactions taxable in Canada?

It depends on the nature and frequency of your transactions. There is a non-taxable and taxable scenario. Please refer to tax FAQs for further information.

Tell me more about your swap meets

From time to time, we host swap meets in the Toronto area to extend the impact of bartering into the local community. These green events bring together swappers and eco-enthusiasts to help keep useful things out of landfills, cut down on clutter and help bargain hunters find new treasures. Visit our swap meet page to learn more and view photos from our past swap events.