Smarter, Greener, & Kicking the Economy to the Curb.
FAQ
1. How do I find someone to swap with? Join a group. Start
or contribute to a discussion in the Main Page Forum. Leave
comments on member's walls. Click here
for a few tips.
2. What if I don't see a group I'm interested in? Start one! It's easy! (If you have trouble finding your own group image to add, just let me know -- I'm sure I can dig one up!)
3. How do the groups work? Each group will have a description, and you must join to post items or comments. If you have something to give or swap, click the START A DISCUSSION link and describe what you have to offer. (Or, if you're looking for something in particular, start a discussion and let everyone know.) Adding a photo or a link to the item online is a GREAT idea. If you see an item that interests you, simply reply to the discussion. Any exchange of addresses should be done via Swap Mamas mail (click Send a Message) or external email. One of the biggest benefits of joining a group? When you join, you will be notified via email whenever someone posts a new item.
4. What if someone wants my stuff, but I don't want theirs? Or they have nothing to give? Sometimes it just works this way. Decide to be a GIVER though, and you'll earn a GIVE Badge. This means, at some point, with some member, you'll have the chance to be a GETTER. If you have your heart set on an even swap, no worries. Just politely let the member know you're really looking for something else. There should be no hard feelings -- that's how the site works!
5. How do the badges work?
Everyone should have a Swap Karma Badge on their page -- this keeps track of your swaps, and determines who is "Junior Swapper" and who is "Senior Swapper." (Junior Swapper is the member with lower number of GIVES, and is required to ship first.) You can grab one HERE.
Simply put:
• Members will want to swap with you if your GETS and GIVES are fairly even.
• They'll want to swap with you if your GIVES outnumber your GETS.
• They may not be so inclined to accept you as a swapmate when your GETS are way more than your GIVES.
6. Who pays for shipping? As a rule, the Giver always pays. This way, no one is actually PAYING to RECEIVE goods. It's a good idea to check out approximate shipping rates before you post. These links should help:
Calculate Postage UPS
Calculate Postage FedEx
7. What can I swap? This is your call. Just keep in mind, unless you've arranged a local meetup, the bigger the item, the higher the shipping cost. Nothing illegal, mkay?
8. What if the goods I receive aren't what I expected? The best way to avoid misunderstandings is to communicate well with your swapmate. When you're a GIVER, make sure to clearly specify exactly what you'll be sending. Posting photos in a group is a great idea. If you're a GETTER, always ask to see photos! If, after what you think is FANTASTIC communication you STILL wind up with a box of stuff you don't want, look at the bright side. You're not out anything, and now you have more stuff to put back in the swap pool!
9. Should I enclose anything other than the specified items in my shipment? A personalized note is a wonderful! And don't forget to check out your swapmate's "extras" wish list in their profile questions!
10. What is the Photos Tab for? All the items you have to swap!
11. What's the Events Tab for? This is to be used ONLY for local meetups! (Please no other outside events -- it gets too confusing.) Make sure to join a local group here -- if you don't see your area, why not start a new group and invite your local friends? Eventually, when you get enough members in your group, why not hold monthly or bi-monthly meetups where everyone brings something to swap? Rumor has it one group is planning on coordinating regular events at a local pub. Food, drinks, friends and SWAPS! How great is that?
12. Once I've agreed on a swap, how do we get our shipping addresses to one another? This is important. DO NOT post your address in the comments section on your swapmate's page. This may be seen by anyone on the Internet who just happens to pass by, and for safety's sake, not a good idea. For the same reason, DO NOT post your address within a group discussion either. The best way to swap addresses is to first, send a friend request to your swapmate. (Go to their page and click the "Add As Friend" link below their photo.) Once you're friends, you will be able to send private messages to one another. THIS is the best way to exchange addresses.
13. I'm getting a TON of email notifications from my groups! How do I turn them off? If you'd rather not be notified every time someone posts something new in your groups, click the Settings link in the upper right corner of your page (under your name). From there, click the Email link on the left and you can customize your settings.
14. You still haven't answered my question. Yeah, the site is still in Beta. I'm sure I've missed a bunch. Swap Mamas is hosted on Ning, so I recommend first trying their Help Page. If you're unable to find an answer to your question, go ahead and send me an email and I'll do my very best to find you an answer as quickly as possible. And by all means, if you have any suggestions feel free to leave them too!
RELATED LINKS
About Swap Mamas
Idea Birth
How It Works
2. What if I don't see a group I'm interested in? Start one! It's easy! (If you have trouble finding your own group image to add, just let me know -- I'm sure I can dig one up!)
3. How do the groups work? Each group will have a description, and you must join to post items or comments. If you have something to give or swap, click the START A DISCUSSION link and describe what you have to offer. (Or, if you're looking for something in particular, start a discussion and let everyone know.) Adding a photo or a link to the item online is a GREAT idea. If you see an item that interests you, simply reply to the discussion. Any exchange of addresses should be done via Swap Mamas mail (click Send a Message) or external email. One of the biggest benefits of joining a group? When you join, you will be notified via email whenever someone posts a new item.
4. What if someone wants my stuff, but I don't want theirs? Or they have nothing to give? Sometimes it just works this way. Decide to be a GIVER though, and you'll earn a GIVE Badge. This means, at some point, with some member, you'll have the chance to be a GETTER. If you have your heart set on an even swap, no worries. Just politely let the member know you're really looking for something else. There should be no hard feelings -- that's how the site works!
5. How do the badges work?
Everyone should have a Swap Karma Badge on their page -- this keeps track of your swaps, and determines who is "Junior Swapper" and who is "Senior Swapper." (Junior Swapper is the member with lower number of GIVES, and is required to ship first.) You can grab one HERE.
Simply put:
• Members will want to swap with you if your GETS and GIVES are fairly even.
• They'll want to swap with you if your GIVES outnumber your GETS.
• They may not be so inclined to accept you as a swapmate when your GETS are way more than your GIVES.
6. Who pays for shipping? As a rule, the Giver always pays. This way, no one is actually PAYING to RECEIVE goods. It's a good idea to check out approximate shipping rates before you post. These links should help:
Calculate Postage UPS
Calculate Postage FedEx
7. What can I swap? This is your call. Just keep in mind, unless you've arranged a local meetup, the bigger the item, the higher the shipping cost. Nothing illegal, mkay?
8. What if the goods I receive aren't what I expected? The best way to avoid misunderstandings is to communicate well with your swapmate. When you're a GIVER, make sure to clearly specify exactly what you'll be sending. Posting photos in a group is a great idea. If you're a GETTER, always ask to see photos! If, after what you think is FANTASTIC communication you STILL wind up with a box of stuff you don't want, look at the bright side. You're not out anything, and now you have more stuff to put back in the swap pool!
9. Should I enclose anything other than the specified items in my shipment? A personalized note is a wonderful! And don't forget to check out your swapmate's "extras" wish list in their profile questions!
10. What is the Photos Tab for? All the items you have to swap!
11. What's the Events Tab for? This is to be used ONLY for local meetups! (Please no other outside events -- it gets too confusing.) Make sure to join a local group here -- if you don't see your area, why not start a new group and invite your local friends? Eventually, when you get enough members in your group, why not hold monthly or bi-monthly meetups where everyone brings something to swap? Rumor has it one group is planning on coordinating regular events at a local pub. Food, drinks, friends and SWAPS! How great is that?
12. Once I've agreed on a swap, how do we get our shipping addresses to one another? This is important. DO NOT post your address in the comments section on your swapmate's page. This may be seen by anyone on the Internet who just happens to pass by, and for safety's sake, not a good idea. For the same reason, DO NOT post your address within a group discussion either. The best way to swap addresses is to first, send a friend request to your swapmate. (Go to their page and click the "Add As Friend" link below their photo.) Once you're friends, you will be able to send private messages to one another. THIS is the best way to exchange addresses.
13. I'm getting a TON of email notifications from my groups! How do I turn them off? If you'd rather not be notified every time someone posts something new in your groups, click the Settings link in the upper right corner of your page (under your name). From there, click the Email link on the left and you can customize your settings.
14. You still haven't answered my question. Yeah, the site is still in Beta. I'm sure I've missed a bunch. Swap Mamas is hosted on Ning, so I recommend first trying their Help Page. If you're unable to find an answer to your question, go ahead and send me an email and I'll do my very best to find you an answer as quickly as possible. And by all means, if you have any suggestions feel free to leave them too!
RELATED LINKS
About Swap Mamas
Idea Birth
How It Works
"Check out swapmamas.com, a bartering bonanza ..." Redbook Magazine
"Imagine the community aspects of BabyCenter married with the marketplace aspects of Craig’s List." rookiemoms.com
"Swap Mamas is the social media answer to a consignment shop ..." coolmompicks.com
"Lovin' idea behind Swap Mamas - they're on a mission to make GIVING the new vice ... Girl Power!" Today's Moms
© 2012 Created by Darcy Cruwys.
