Stay safe
TEMPLATE: This text is a detailed starting point, not legal advice. Have an Irish solicitor review it, fill in the [BRACKETED] details and edit it in Admin > Pages before you launch.
Swapping with people you don’t know is mostly great, and a few habits keep it that way.
Before you swap
- Check the member’s profile: reviews, badges and how long they’ve been here.
- Look at the photos and description carefully. Ask questions in the swap messages if anything is unclear.
- Be wary of anything that seems too good to be true, or a member who is in a hurry.
- Keep all conversations on Uswapped, where we can help if something goes wrong. Don’t move to text, WhatsApp or email before a swap is agreed.
Posting and receiving
- Post items with tracking where you can, and keep your proof of postage until the swap is complete.
- Pack things well and describe any flaws honestly.
- Open the parcel when it arrives. Confirm delivery only when you’re happy. If something is wrong, open a dispute from the swap page before you confirm, and your held credits stay safe while we look into it.
- You never need to share your address publicly. It’s only shown to your swap partner once a swap is accepted.
Meeting in person
Some listings say “Pickup OK”. If you agree to hand something over in person:
- Meet in a busy, public place in daylight, such as a shop or a café.
- Tell a friend where you are going and bring your phone.
- Don’t go to a stranger’s home, and don’t invite one to yours if you’d rather not.
- Pickups arranged this way are between you and the other member, outside our swap protection, so check the item before you hand over yours.
What can’t be swapped
You can’t list anything illegal, dangerous or fake. That includes:
- Weapons, ammunition, explosives and fireworks.
- Illegal drugs, steroids and prescription medication.
- Tobacco, vapes and e-cigarettes.
- Counterfeit or stolen goods, and fake IDs.
- Live animals.
- Anything you don’t have the right to sell or give away.
Listings containing banned words are refused automatically. We remove anything that breaks the rules and may suspend accounts that do it repeatedly.
Scams to watch for
- Anyone asking you to pay money, send a gift card or use another website to “complete” a swap.
- Links asking you to sign in somewhere else. We will never ask for your password.
- Requests to post your item before the swap is accepted, or to send things to a different address from the one in the swap.
- Messages that pressure you to act quickly.
Reporting a problem
Use “Report this listing” or “Report this member” on any listing or profile. Our team reads every report. If several different members report the same listing, it is hidden automatically until we’ve checked it. If you think you are in danger, contact your local emergency services first.
How we help
- Credits are held in escrow until both sides confirm the swap, and returned if it is cancelled or disputed.
- New members confirm their email address before they can list or make offers.
- Reviews after every swap help everyone see who is reliable.
- Our team can review disputes, hide listings and suspend accounts.
