If you are looking to buy and sell consumer electronics and accessories, one of the sites you can go through is Swappa. This marketplace deals with the buying and selling of new-ish gadgets and devices.
This is more of a community than a traditional eCommerce site, as you can buy and sell directly with other people rather than having to go through a middleman. This direct communication between buyers and sellers can provide a range of benefits including being able to get the best price on your products.
Swappa was established in 2010, and since that time has featured in various well-known journals including the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times. It has gained a solid reputation when it comes to buying and selling products, and the site is very simple to use.
You may have had bad experiences on eCommerce sites in the past, but this one works differently to the others. Many items are bought and sold through the site on a daily basis. The items on the site have don't have to be in mint condition but they do need to be in good working order.
Buying from Swappa
Pros
- You deal directly with the seller.
- You can choose from a wide range of devices on Swappa.
- All items are in good working order.
- Swappa staff offer excellent support.
- No seller can deny a return/refund when a device is not as advertised.
- PayPal can be used to make payment conveniently.
Cons
- Buyer pays for shipping.
- Can only pay via PayPal.
You may be wondering, is Swappa reliable if I want to purchase a working consumer electronic device? If you are considering buying used products from Swappa, you will be able to benefit from access to a good choice of high-quality products. Because this site does not accept items that are broken or damaged, you can be certain that the item you purchase will be in good working order and ready to use.
The site aims to make buying as simple as possible, so you won't have to spend hours trawling around the site trying to find what you want. Everything is nicely categorized so you can search for your items with ease.
If you want to purchase a cell phone or other consumer electronics via the site, all you need to do is:
- Go onto the buy section of the site.
- Login or register your details.
- Select the category you want to purchase from.
- Choose a carrier where applicable.
- Browse the listing that comes up.
- Select the one you are interested in.
- Liaise directly with the seller if you are happy with the item and price.
Once you have chosen the product you want, you can make a payment simply and conveniently via PayPal. All you need to do then is wait for your item to be delivered. If there are any issues, the Swappa staff is always there to help.
As with any online purchase, the only downside to this is that you do not get to inspect and check the device or product in person before you make your purchase. However, Swappa does not allow junk and broken products to be sold via the site.
Selling to Swappa
Pros
- All transactions are carried out securely via PayPal.
- There are no fees for sellers.
- Payment is swift and efficient.
- Define your own return policy.
- Being able to liaise directly with buyers.
- The ability to get more money for the item you are selling.
- A simple selling process with greater control.
Cons
- PayPal is the only method of payment.
- There is an expiration date on your listing.
- Seller is responsible for device and its condition until it gets to the buyer.
Recap - The Bottom Line
If you want more freedom and flexibility when it comes to buying and selling your used electrical devices, Swappa could be the ideal site for you. One of the key benefits of using this site as a seller is that you can make much more money than you would via some other sites.
As a buyer, the ability to liaise directly with sellers to make your purchase provides greater confidence and total simplicity.
