The Swaps Shut At Swap Hut (swaphut.com)

Member Name: Wease

Product:	swaphut.com
Date:	28/12/00 (221 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Sell those unwanted items cluttering up the attic!

Disadvantages: Not too many transactions at present

I joined the swaphut a few months ago after following a link from another site, with the hope of selling some unwanted goods that I've been meaning to gather together for a carbooty since about 1973!* For of course this is what swaphut is all about. You add some unwanted items, possibly place a couple of wanted items and then let the punters punt, sorry that was my opinion on the oxford canal, I meant to say then let the puntering, erm, haggling begin!

On first impressions the site looks really great. Easy instructions and some rather sleek, but non-the-less informative toolbars, with every function needed. You've got your information about the site in the "about us" area, you're frequently asked questions in the FAQ area, the registration details in the register area - blahdy blah, ad nausiem. There's also a couple of current offers floating across the page and some information about recently completed swaps, e.g. Tom just swapped his collection of Pokemon cards and £10 for Jack's video of The Jungle Book.

To take a peek at some of the tempting deals on offer you simply have to join. This is sooooo easy I was tempted to allow my 4yr old niece to fill out the forms, but I decided not to because I didn't want the neighbours to talk when dear old mr postie turned up for a parcel addressed to Pikachu! You must create a user name, a password and give some personal details, name and address etc. Once done - you're in!

There are many categories to chose from, antiques, snowsports, electronics etc, to make use of an lovely phrase - you name it, they have it, and if they don't you can suggest they add it!

On the home page there are two marvellous little buttons. One to add an item you want, the other to add an item you wish to swap.

This is easy peasy too. Give a few details of the product, select the value, form of payment (cash, an item you wish to swap for, cheque etc), the form of del
ivery (post, recorded delivery, courier, personal pick-up) and the category you wish the item to appear in and hey presto, all you have to do is wait for those offers to come rolling in! Ooh you can also add a picture of the item- if you have one. If you don't have a scanner yourself you can send a photograph of the item to the site HQ land address and one of those lovely people at swaphut will upload it onto the site for you!

The offers is a bit of a downside, or so I have found. At time of orignial writing I hadn't had any offers on my phone, ski jacket or tennis racquet. Since then I have had an offer on my phone but it was half of what I had asked for. I wouldn't go to this site and expect an instant swap, but of course some offers are far more likely to sell than others. Besides, you have nothing to lose!Everytime someone has an offer for you, you are punctually alerted by email.

Another wonderful feature of the site is the "My swaps" area. You click on the toolbar link and you can review the offers you have made and also those which you have received.

For the keenest of swappers out there you might like to make use of the message board area.

There's also the added incentive of monthly prizes which will be awarded to the members who record the highest number of swap transactions. These prizes include the likes of a DVD player and a Sega dreamcast - but obviously they will vary from month to month.

I'd say if you've got something to sell but haven't got the time to go to a carbooty or a pawn shop then give swaphut a try, you'll get a better deal all round... if you ever manage to sell anything! But of course this is a new site so in time it will grow!

* denotes - Ok so that bit was a bit of a lie because I was only born in 1982, but please darlings grant me a bit of artistic license!

Summary: