Swapping

Updated on March 03, 2014
S.D. asks from Des Moines, IA
3 answers

Hey everyone - looking for opinions :-)
I'll be hosting a swap in my area for maternity & kiddo items in a couple months. What are your opinions on what works great and what doesn't work so well for swaps? What about types of places to hold them or are there types of places that you wouldn't feel quite so comfortable going to? Are there things that you think should absolutely not be available to swap or that kinda freak you out? Any ideas or comments are welcome.

I have attended swaps in the past so I have my observations as well as the SOP for the national swap group that I'm part of. I'm just looking for feedback from moms (and some dads) that have been to or have thought about going to swaps. I truly want this to be a positive experience for the families that take part and would love for it to go smoothly.

Thanks in advance!

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So What Happened?

Thanks for your input. I know I was kinda vague because I didn't want to get flagged as soliciting for a business; because that's not my intent. There is a national swap organization & I am a Local Swap Organizer with them. To clarify there is a swap fee (very small) but you don't pay for anything so it's not like a consignment sell.
I completely agree about the stained, ripped items - that's just inconsiderate to think others will want junk. I didn't know if hosting it in a church would possibly keep people away who aren't comfortable in that environment. As far as acceptable items - used underwear (even kiddo underwear) is kinda gross to me but cloth diapers aren't so much -weird huh?

Thanks again for the input!

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.M.

answers from Charlotte on

First. I only attend those in a church or building with proper parking, not at peoples' houses. Second, I do not like finding stained, worn out clothes. If those are allowed, I don't go back and tell everyone it was not worth my time. Lastly, I don't pay admission to get in.

I like clothes sorted by size and gender, not seller. I also want items clearly marked with prices, not colored dots. I love the computer bar codes Just Between Friends uses because it speeds up checkout.
Lastly, they have a $3 minimum. I am not paying $3 for a onesie unless it is boutique.

Good Luck!

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Soap works. Seriously! If it didn't then each time you used a fork you would be putting that last person that used it's germs in your mouth along with the remnants of the food they ate.

Soap works. Really, if a garment is washed in soap then it's clean. Gross or not, it's clean and sanitary.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.V.

answers from Washington DC on

Can you clarify what you mean by swap? If you mean consignment sale, I'm with Amy Jo. I regularly go to a consignment sale (people can buy from and also sell in) in a church. It's neat and organized by size and gender and item (toys over here, books there). Each seller has a # on the tag, so at the end of the sale, they sort the tags. The buyer doesn't have to guess. And at the end, they have a 50% off day, which was what initially lured me in. Their clothing is not overpriced and I also recognize that they sell to support their school so it's part fundraiser, which I like. I have gotten items that are new with tags for a good price. They are on my calendar for spring. This one has no minimum price and I regularly get things for a few cents or $1 (like a onesie). Oh, and they provide bags, if you didn't bring one and take checks.

1 mom found this helpful
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