Is Swappa worth it?
Swappa is a legitimate user-to-user marketplace, however, as it is an online marketplace there is still a risk of receiving faulty goods or items that aren’t as described by third-party sellers. But, with the site being able to verify and list trusted users, its seller and buyer protection, and the dispute resolution process, it is a legitimate and safe option for those looking to pay less for second-hand goods.
Marketplaces such as this can offer used goods at reasonable prices with high value, and also means cutting out the middleman and joining a community market. But with this enticing offer, is this website legit and safe to buy from? We have checked out what they have to offer including various reviews online to find out if Swappa is worth your time and money.
Swappa company information
| Official Website: | https://swappa.com/ |
| Headquarters Location: | Kansas City, Missouri, United States |
| Founded: | 2010 |
| Industry: | E-Commerce |
| Ownership: | Ben Edwards |
| Contact: | 878-205-0088, help@swappa.com, info@swappa.com |
| Trust Score: | High |
| Social Media: | Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube |
What is Swappa?
Swappa is a fairly well-established user-to-user online marketplace enabling users to buy and sell used (but in good condition) technology. They do not sell items directly themselves but instead provide a platform for users to buy and sell directly with others. The job of Swappa is to ensure that all items sold are in good condition and go through an approval process to allow safe shopping. They also ensure safe transactions and protection for both buyers and sellers.
User-to-user marketplaces like these are similar to sites like eBay and Craigslist, but Swappa boasts that it has better policies than both eBay and Craigslist. Swappa advertises itself as being ‘people powered’ and that you deal directly with other users. In exchange for a great deal, users may be taking a small risk in receiving faulty or inadequate goods. However, Swappa states they ensure there are no broken products listed on their marketplace and that every buyer’s product goes through a rigorous approval process. Swappa also doesn’t charge sellers a fee for listing their items.
Is Swappa legal and safe or a scam?
Swappa is completely legal and has a terms of use page. However, anyone using the website to buy or sell must be at least 18 years old.
The chance of being scammed on the Swappa site is very low due to its buyer and seller protection and secure PayPal payments. They also have strict listing requirements and an approval process to ensure no faulty goods are sold. However, there are several reports online of people paying and not receiving the goods and encountering issues obtaining a refund after they have gone through PayPal.
In accessing it from both Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge it has a secure connection and a valid security certificate. It also confirms that any sensitive information such as passwords and card details are kept private. Also in accessing it from search engines such as Google it displays a green tick to confirm from McAfee Webadvisor that it is safe to access.
Swappa has a privacy policy that explains how it keeps and uses customers’ data. They also have a California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) which enhances privacy rights for customers based in California. They have a dedicated page on their website where customers can submit a request for details of what information Swappa has about them, but they must have a registered account with Swappa.
Is Swappa reliable and trustworthy?
Overall, Swappa’s consumer ratings are high, they are rated as excellent on Trustpilot with 4.8 out of 5 stars and over 17,500 reviews. On SiteJabber they have an overall 4.7 out of 5 stars from 3,114 reviews.
Swappa has a return policy where they allow sellers to set their return policies. This means that a seller who doesn’t specifically advertise that they accept returns is not required to accept a return in a situation where the buyer simply changes their mind about a purchase. However, in a situation where the product received is not as advertised, the seller cannot decline a return and buyers can report the issue with Swappa to initiate this.
Although there are some reports online of customers feeling they have been scammed on Swappa, the majority of reports are positive.
Swappa has a dedicated customer support email and they also have forums where users can post and answer questions. They do not have a contact number for customer service as they state this is not an efficient means of providing support, and that the online options are better. Their support team is also available 24/7/365 and responds to queries within 20 minutes or less.
The pros and cons of Swappa
Pros:
- Good deals
- Items listed go through approval process
- No middleman
- Buyer and seller protection
- Secure and protected payments through PayPal
- Positive reviews
- Reliable customer support available 24/7/365
Cons:
- Risk of receiving faulty goods
- Difficulty obtaining refunds after purchasing
- Possibility of fraudulent buyers and sellers
How does Swappa make money?
Swappa makes money by charging buyers a small marketplace fee which is worked into the sellers asking price. The fees cover the cost of Swappa hosting and reviewing listings and marketing them on the website. The fees are worked out on how much the item is listed for, so the higher prices, the higher percentage Swappa takes.
According to the website Pipe Candy, Swappa made web sales of $50-100Million over the last 12 months and has a monthly order volume of 10-50,000.
Best Swappa alternatives
User-to-user online marketplaces like Swappa may be risky due to anyone being able to sell online, however, it’s a great place to get the latest tech for a bargain price. But if you don’t fancy chancing your luck on there, we have some great alternatives for you to check out:
FAQ
Why is Swappa so cheap?
Swappa cuts out the middleman and is a user-to-user platform. Sellers also do not pay fees which means they get more returns on their items. As the items being sold are second-hand, it is also cheaper for buyers to purchase.
Is Swappa safer than eBay?
According to Swappa, it is safe and free from junk products and they make a bold statement that eBay is a wasteland of scams and junk devices. They also state they verify their listings before they go live and claim eBay does not do this. They also state that eBay charges sellers up to 13% for every item sold and that they only charge a fraction of this.
How do I avoid being scammed on Swappa?
Swappa is dedicated to fighting fraud on its platform and has policies to protect both buyers and sellers.
Are you paid instantly after you sell on Swappa?
Swappa will pay you instantly via PayPal once your item is sold. There is no waiting and you will be paid before the item ships.
Does Swappa have an app and is it any good?
Yes. Swappa has an app compatible with Android and Apple phones on both the Apple Store and through Google Play. There are mixed reviews, with a rating of 2.8 out of 5 stars on the Apple Store and a 4.7 on Google Play.