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A Quick Intro to the New Swaps Section!

Liz Cadman
ByLiz CadmanJan 27, 2014 | 99 comments

Swaps Are Live!

The Beta Swap section of the site is live! We've been working on this for months, and I'm so excited that the launch day is finally here!

Thank you so much for all your help, feedback and guidance on what to build! This wouldn't have been possible without this wonderful community of fellow subscription box lovers!

If you have signed up to be a part of the Beta tester group, you can now list swap items and start swapping!

(If you missed out on the original Beta testing group, you can still browse the swap section, and if you want to make sure you get in on the next round of swapping, you can get on the waitlist here).

 

Since this is all brand new, I want to detail how we've incorporated your feedback into the site, and then I have a quick guide for listing an item.

Beta Team Feedback: Make it easy to search for and browse for items.

Site Features: Since this is a swap site for subscription box items only, we knew we'd be working with a finite number of items, and that many people may be listing the exact same item. Because of this, we didn't want there to be 20 different listings for the exact same item. Instead, when you are listing an item you can see if it's already on the site. Then just indicate that you have it to swap as well, and you can add any specific details and pictures you want. This way it's easier for people to find your item, and you can list items quickly.

List a New Item

By setting up the listing this way, you can browse by category, or search by box or item.

So for example, let's say you're looking for the Rifle Paper Co. Calendar in the January POPSUGAR Must Have Box. There will be one main listing for the calendar, and then as soon as you click "Swap for It," you'll see all the people who have it available to swap. You can then decide who you want to swap with by location, rating, experience, or any other way you determine!

 

Beta Team Feedback: We need shipping standards and the ability to track packages.

Site Features: From the feedback, some people absolutely wanted shipment tracking on every swap, and others didn't think it was always necessary. Since the group seemed somewhat divided on this, I thought for beta we'd let the individuals decide how to handle it per swap. Once you start a swap you get the other swapper's email, so you can discuss how you'd both like to handle shipping.

If you do decide to share tracking information, we added site features that make it easy to share with your fellow swapper. Once you ship your items, on the swap page, you can select which shipping method you used, and you can add a tracking number, and your fellow swapper can do the same. Then it's super simple to check back on that page and see the status of your packages.

To keep things as simple as possible, each swapper is responsible for the cost of shipping the item(s) in their possession to the other swapper.

 

Beta Team Feedback: Make it clear if the item is new and sealed, etc.

Site Features: When you list an item, you must select if it is new or used. We also have additional text fields for extra information like if the product is still sealed in plastic wrap, comes in a box, etc.

 

Beta Team Feedback: A feedback/ratings system is a must.

Site Features: After every swap, you can rate your fellow swapper with a score of positive, neutral or negative, and that will be reflected in their overall swapper rating. You also can add specific text feedback with each rating.

One request - before you leave negative feedback, please try to work things out with the other swapper first!

 

Beta Team Feedback: Consider a Buying/Selling option in addition to swapping.

Site Features: Since we're still in Beta, I first wanted to see how the swapping site will work, and fix any issues before we add new features like selling. So it's not available yet, but it's on our backlog as something we may build down the line!

 

Now it's time to get started!

How to List an Item:

Ready to Swap?

If this is the first time you list an item, you will be prompted to provide a little more information and accept the terms of use:

Getting Started

Make sure the email address listed is one you check regularly - we'll be using it to notify you if someone wants to swap with you!

The city and state listing allow fellow swappers to get a sense of how far away an item will be shipping from. You can even sort listings by which swapper is closest to you!

(If you don't want to list your city, you can leave that blank).

List a new item

Ok, now you can list a new item! Start typing in which box it's from, and the box will show up:

popsugar

Once you select the box, you can see if the item you have to list is already on the site, or if you need to add it:

list a new item

If the item you have is already on the site, just select it and finish out the listing:

listing details

Here you can upload any of your own product photos if you want, select if the condition of the product is new or used, and enter information about sizing and anything else that's relevant to the listing. Then click "List It!" and you're done!

Alternatively, if the item you are listing is not already on the site, you can add it yourself:

My Item isn't listed here

Just click, "My Item isn't listed here. I want to add a new item."

select a category

First you'll be prompted to choose a category. (This makes it much easier to browse the swap listings and for other swappers to find your items).

get image

Then you can quickly grab the image of the item you're listing from any webpage. (We'll link back to the original source in the listing).

peppermint lane

Then just pick which image you want to use and add the name of the product.

If the standard product photo of the item you're listing doesn't exist online, you can always upload your own image too. (This will likely happen for items from Golden Tote and JewelMint mystery boxes!)

 

And that's it! Let me know if you have any other questions I haven't covered!

When you're using the swap site, please keep in mind that this is beta, so we anticipate that there will be things that need improved upon. Please share any feedback you might have - what you like, what you don't like, what's confusing, what could be improved, what's missing, etc. (The site also may be slow at some times, and if it is, let us know!)

You can post all of your feedback and ideas in our Feedback Forum.

Liz Cadman
Liz Cadman
Liz is the founder of My Subscription Addiction. She's been hooked on subscription boxes since 2011 thanks to Birchbox, and she now subscribes to over 100 boxes. Her favorites include POPSUGAR Must Have, FabFitFun, and any box that features natural beauty products!

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99 comments

Stephanie

hi everyone! I’m what you considered a newbie to the swap part of MSA. Although I have been enjoying part of MSA. Although I have been enjoying the spoilers, comments, and reviews for quite a while. Question and hopefully maybe someone can help me with it. In the description box I’ve seen the term unicorn bait on some of the listings. I’m not sure what that terms means. Could someone please explain that to me?
Thanks in advance for your help.
😄🙏

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Leslie

It means they think the item they are listing is very desirable and/or in demand and they will only trade it for something very special or unique that they really want that does not come up for swap very often or maybe hasn’t even been listed before.

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LoriD

Hi Liz!
Thank you for letting me into your swap site! I’m so excited to be able to use this portion of the blog cuz there’s so much more that I can list and also want from other boxes that I can’t afford to sub to. Thanks so much! Going to try it out now 🤗💖✨ have a very Merry Christmas to you and your family too! ~Lori D.

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barbarag72

Am I the only one thy is totally confused by this. I’m not getting how you make the swap

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Veronica

This may be a dumb question ,but is there a preferred method of shipping , usps, ups, FedEx? Maybe some veteran swappers have advice for us newbies.

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Laura

USPS is your best bet. The shipping link is on the usps site or you can go through paypal’s shipping link. UPS is usually best very large or very heavy parcels (I’m talking over 30 pounds).

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sherrybelleedwards

Thank you for sharing that information! I am very excited about this. 🙂

Veronica

thank you

Leslie Belt

I got an email that I was off the wait list but I can’t fill the form out?

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Kerri

Same here?

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M

How did you get a solution to this? I’m having the same problem now.

Sonja

Finally accepted to the swap site. I filled out the info under the ‘ready to swap? let’s get started” tab. I filled everything out, but when I click on ‘list an item’ it takes me back to the original ‘let’s get started’ page. Help please!

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M

How did you get a solution to this? I’m having the same problem now.

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Ellen

I’m getting the same problem too… Did anybody get a solution to this?

Name *

How do I remove an item that I no longer have available to swap?

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Michelle

How do I update the “What I’m Looking For” section of my swap profile?

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Jenny

I’m having an issue with a swap. I sent my end a couple of weeks ago but have not received the swap items that were to be sent to me. I’ve tried contacting the other swapper to no avail. Please tell me what I should do next. Thank you!

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Liz Cadman

Hi Jenny,

I saw your email – and I’m writing back now.

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michelle

Did you ever hear back from anyone? That’s just awful. Can you put her name and address all over here?

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Nicole

I was wondering if there is a way to review what you have listed as items you are willing to swap? I listed a lipstick I gave away to a friend and I wanted to take it off.. But I can’t seem to find a way to look at items I’ve put up for “swapping”.

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Emma J

Hey,
I Love the swapping ideas, and am subscribed to a few of the boxes already, and have a few things I would like to swap… When do you think the next test group will be ready, or how long until we are off the wait list?
I’m so excited to participate!
Thanks,
Emma

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Rebecca

2 suggestions on the swap site (which I LOVE btw):
1) there should be a way to cancel a swap after the agreement is made – for example I had a case where an item got damaged and we decided to cancel the swap – we had to enter dummy info and feedback to close out the swap then relist the remaining items. This is also useful if one party goes AWOL and stops responding – this allows the item to be relisted.
2) I know this is somewhat harder, but it would help if there were a way to pass the swap back and forth a couple of times before saying it’s a deal. For instance, I request something from a person, they come back requesting something of mine with a much higher value. I would like to be able to revisit their list and, if they have items that would bridge the gap, add them to the trade. If they agree, then we call it final.

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Liz Cadman

Thanks for the feedback – I’m so glad you love the swap site! We’re working on a way to cancel swaps – it’s a little tricky because of the concern that one person could technically mail their item, and the other could cancel the swap, so we need a system where both parties agree to cancel, or in the case of an AWOL person, we have a time limit set.

The good news on your second suggestion is that we are almost done with adding counter-swap functionality. We’re going to do some tests this weekend and it should be up next week!

Please keep the feedback coming. We really appreciate and want to make the site as useful and fun as possible! 🙂

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Nora

Can we get Sunset45 added to the listing? I have some earrings and lip gloss to swap from it!

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maria ho

Every time I go to sign-in or click on the link to list an item, it takes me to https://boxes.mysubscriptionaddiction.com/ and tells me I’m already logged in.

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Bonnie

While filling in the information form to begin swapping I noticed that you could type in what you are looking for, but I can’t seem to find where to see what others are looking for. I would love to see what others are interested in before I swap.

Thanks!

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Liz Cadman

Once you click “Swap for It” on any item listing, you will be able to see it next to the swappers names if they have it listed. Hope that helps!

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Bonnie

Thank you Liz!

Can you also add Z Box to your subscription boxes? I have a ton of stuff to swap from them. 🙂

Sylvia

Hi! Finally dug into the swap site, and I’m on my third item listing! Such a fantastic idea! I’m loving the site — a very clean and user-friendly layout. For some reason, though, I’m not seeing the item descriptions for any of the listed items (neither the ones I listed nor others’). I might just not be seeing where I need to look, though…?

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Jennifer M

Me neither.

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Andrea

Hi Liz,

I think I signed up for the beta group, but I’m not able to log in.

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Liz Cadman

Hi Andrea,

I think you should be good now. Let me know if you can login!

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Andrea

Perfect! Thanks!! Can’t wait to try this out 🙂

Kaiya

Can you please add total beauty collection box as an option for swapping?

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Cecilia

Hello Liz,

The website is great and already swapped 2 items!
Juste one question, is it possible to remove the canceled or old swapped from the page? May have missed it.

Thank you!

Cecilia

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michelle

oh are you still in the testing stage?

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Liz Cadman

Yes – right now the swapping site is only open to use for our Beta tester group. But you can get on the waitlist to be in the next round here: http://eepurl.com/NaQtP

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Kelly

I signed up for Beta and can’t get in – this is happening to me:
Every time I go to sign-in or click on the link to list an item, it takes me to https://boxes.mysubscriptionaddiction.com/ and tells me I’m already logged in.

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Liz Cadman

Hi Kelly,

Sorry about the access issue. I’m going to email you to fix it.

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LizM

I’m having the same problem, Liz.

Windy City Lane

I am having the ssme problem as Kelly. Please help, I am so excited to get swapping.

michelle

I tried yesterday and now and can’t get in……it won’t let me type any information…..where it says click on box and you will be swapping in no time……I click and won’t allow me to type information on…..also I can’t find the actual swapping site on here

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LizM

WOW! This just looks amazing, Liz! I will be inputting items for swap this weekend. Thanks for all your efforts (and your hubby too!)

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Liz Cadman

Thanks! Let me know how everything works for you! 🙂

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LaurelVP

Is there any way to change items that I listed in the wrong category? I chose Beauty instead of Fashion on accident for a couple items.

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Kasia hart

It’s not working for me either I must also be blocked.

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