Confessions of a Swapper: Jody

Confessions of a Swapper is a series that profiles MSA's top swappers. Want to share your own swapping experiences with the community? Details for how to get in touch are located at the bottom of the page. 

This week in "Confessions of a Swapper," we're going to meet Jody, who's completed over 600 swaps with a 100% positive feedback rating. Jody is a subscription addict who loves trying out new subscriptions and sharing them with her family. She's an ACC college basketball fan and a proud Tarheel mom.

Before we meet Jody, let's take a quick look at what the Swaps site is all about.

What is the MSA Swap site?

Image from MSA's Swap site.

The Swaps section of My Subscription Addiction launched way back in 2014, and it's a place where members of the community can exchange items they receive in subscription boxes. If you've ever wanted to get your hands on a subscription box item you missed out on, Swaps is the place to make it happen. Coveting the Teressa Foglia X Curateur "Lynn" Hat you missed in Spring's Curateur box? Looking to add the Library of Flowers Field & Flowers Luminary from Summer's Margot Elena Subscription Box to your candle collection? Swaps provides a platform where you can connect with other members of the community to trade for the items you can't stop thinking about.

To become a swapper, you'll need to sign up for a free MSA account and set up your profile. After you confirm your email address, you can navigate to the Swaps section and join the Swap site waitlist. Once you've been approved, you're ready to start swapping! (FYI-- your MSA profile is for more than just swaps. It's is a great place to keep track of your subscriptions, opt in to brand-specific emails, and create your subscription wishlist.)

You can browse the wide selection of items and request swaps from members of the community who've listed items that catch your eye. They'll then be invited to browse your listed items. Agree on items you'd like to trade? You've got yourself a swap! Each participant ships their half of the trade and provides tracking information. When the swap is complete, both parties submit feedback.

Over 20,000 swaps have been completed, and there are over 4,000 registered swappers. All members of the My Subscription Addiction community are welcome to participate.

Now, without further ado, let's meet Jody!

Confessions of a Swapper: Jody

Lindsey: Jody, thanks so much for being a part of this series! How long have you been swapping on MSA?

Jody: l have been swapping since 2016. I remember when I found the site, I would just browse for hours. I finally got up the nerve to initiate a swap, only to learn I had to make an account and then had to wait for a spot, which took a couple of months!

L: How did you discover Swaps?

J: I remember stumbling across the Target beauty box and MSA. Once I got on the list to be notified of the box, my love and addiction for boxes grew from there.

L: What are your 3 favorite swaps you have completed? What made them stand out?

J: I remember two of my very first swaps. A mirror from Birchbox that I still use every day from Janet in CA. She was very helpful in helping me understand how the counter-offer works, and Betty was very helpful [in showing me how to] use the site. Another person really helped me with postage. She was explaining the regional boxes, and I ordered those right away from the post office. I just switched to PayPal this year, and I can't believe how much it saves me versus the post office. I just couldn't ever figure out how to make an account! LOL.

L: What are the “holy grail” items on your swapping wish list?

J: I don't currently have any "holy grail" items on my wish list. I am such a spur of the moment shopper. I have 5 children, so I always look for a wide variety of things.

L: When you receive a box, how do you decide which products to keep and which to swap? 

J: I give my mother and all of my immediate family members dibs on products, and if they don't want it, I will usually list the items.

L: What's your favorite thing about Swaps?

J: Definitely seeing something I will not use go out the door to someone who does need it.

L: Do you upcycle in other ways? If so, please share some examples!

J: I always like to "upcycyle" unused items. I give many things to our church. I take bags to the hospital for parents of children staying there. I give my friend items for her domestic womens shelter. Lastly, I will donate to Goodwill and other stores in need.

L: What's your favorite thing about swaps?

J: My favorite things about swaps is getting something from a box I didn't get or maybe an extra that I really loved. I do like chatting with the other person.

L: What's your favorite subscription? And what do you love about subscriptions?

J: Ooh favorite subscription... that is hard. I like VineOh, Paper Source, Ipsy, and many more. I love the beauty and the lifestyle. What I love about subscriptions is the value I get to try new things. When I started with beauty ones, it brought me out of my boring mom zone, and using lip products is my number one favorite body part to "dress up".

L: What advice do you have for new swappers who are just getting started? What pieces of swap etiquette should they know? 

J: A lot of what the others swappers featured have said is great communication and accurate listings. The size of the product is really needed. You can't just say full size. I have been very disappointed in products that turned out not to be full size, but the worst is when the product is expired. I also like that if you list from a sub box that is no longer in business, you add where you got it and how recently. I don't like that people make a new listing for a product just because it is from a different box.

Thanks so much, Jody, for taking the time to speak with me about Swaps. I really appreciate it!

Now, I want to hear from YOU. Are you an active swapper who'd like to share your swapping stories, tips, and tricks? Get in touch at [email protected].

Have a swap-related story to share? Or a question about Swaps? Drop a note in the comments section below! Eager to start swapping? Sign up here.