Hints & Tips
Register:
Go to ‘Register’ in the top navigation bar
Choose a user name
Complete your personal details. The yellow boxes are mandatory.
Supply your university email address. You can not register without this.
After registration you can select another email address to use and simply select it as your preferred email address.
Next we will ask you for a password – think of something unique and not easy to guess.
Select your university. This will automatically allocate your university region.
We’ve ask for your term time address and your home address. If your term address and home address are the same then simply tick the box to skip the home address section (You can also tell us which address you would prefer us to correspond with).
We suggest you upload a picture of you or something that you want to represent you and write a bit about yourself. This is only visible to students who register and sign in. It can not be viewed by anyone who hasn’t registered.
Oh and don’t forget to read the terms and conditions.
Registration might sound a lot but it’s quick and easy to do. The whole thing can be done easily within three minutes.
Post an item to swap:
Once registered:
Go to ‘My Account’
Go to ‘My swap items’ and click ‘Add a new swap item’.
Complete the item title and select the appropriate category
Decide of you want your item to be available to swap in just your university town or your home town as well.
Complete a brief description that will be visible in the search results
Complete a fuller description to give as much detail as possible to give your item the best chance of being swapped
Select a picture from your own files to upload (This must be either a JPEG or BITMAP). If you do not have a picture the image will default to the Studentswapshop.com logo. For best results have at least one picture.
Enter all the items and their categories you are willing to swap for – if you can’t decide select ‘make me an offer’. If you do not complete this step your listing will not be posted.
You can also suggest a money value for your item.
You will automatically be shown a preview of your item before returning to ‘My Account’.
Post a wanted item:
If you can’t see what you want to swap, why not post a wanted item? It’s quick and easy.
Once registered:
Go to ‘My Account’
Go to ‘My wanted items’ and click ‘Add a new wanted item’.
Complete the item title and select the appropriate category
Post your item.
Searching for items:
Searching for items is easy.
Enter a word(s) into the 'item' field that best describes what you are looking for (To make your searching more effective at this stage select the region you want to swap in).
If you want to broaden out your search, try selecting just from the categories listed and leave the 'item' field blank (Again we recommend you select your region as well).
View all the items in your region by leaving the 'item' field blank and leaving category as 'any' to see everything that's available in your area.
If you're not sure which region your university is listed under check out the UK map in 'University regions' on the home page.
Alternatively, search the entire site by leaving the 'item' field blank and leave category and region as 'any' and you'll see everything available for swap.
Finally, we've also given you the option to look for either 'swap' items or 'wanted' items. Just select the appropriate box beneath the search fields.
Making offers:
We've kept this simple too!
Once you've found the item you're looking for, contact the 'swapper' by clicking on their user id. This will take you to their profile. From here you can send them a message. And that's all there is to it.
Watching items:
You may want to build a list of items to keep an eye on.
Once you've found an item you want to watch, click on 'watch this item'. This will automatically add the item to your list of 'Items I'm Watching'. You can find this list in your account.
Don't watch for too long though, good swap items don't stay listed for long.
Sending and receiving messages:
You can see all the messages you have sent and received in your account. Each time you receive a message from a user you will receive an email to your preferred email address. You must sign into StudentSwapShop.com to read your message.
When sending and receiving messages only your user id is visible. At no point is your personal email address visible to the receiver and likewise you will only see user id's for all the messages you receive.
How to be a more effective swapper:
Take a look at what is being swapped most by checking different searches
To get every chance of your item being included in search results make sure it is spelt correctly and look at how other similar items are listed.
The item description is your key to being selected. So once listed try searching for your item to ensure it is included in search results. If it isn’t try a different title.
Have as many ‘items you will swap for’ as possible’
If you don’t have items to swap – why not ask family and friends if they have anything you could swap?
Check wanted items as well as offering items for swap to check what swappers are looking for
If you see something you want but don’t have the item wanted why not make a suggestion by selecting ‘make me an offer’. Alternatively you can offer money.
Place a photo or two! You are more likely to be successful.
Give as much detail as possible
Log in to check and answer all your emails regularly
Frequently asked questions?
What should I swap?
You can swap anything, within reason (just don’t fall foul of our terms and conditions).
If you’re not sure what to swap take a look at our categories – we update them all the time. Alternatively take a look at the ‘wanted’ items to see what people are looking for. Still not sure? - run a few searches in your region to see what others are offering.
Is the safe?
We have taken all the steps possible to ensure only registered students can use a profile, place an item for swap or make an offer.
To register you have to be a student. If you are at all suspicious, email us using the ‘contact us’ with the details so that we can investigate. This site is not for dealers or for students to make a profit from other students.
How do I know the person I am swapping with is who they say they are?
All swappers have registered as students. You should use you own judgment when assessing if a swapper is genuine if unsure always take a friend and swap in a public busy area. If still uncertain do not swap.
Never exchange personal details such as; address, phone number or email address. Find someone else to swap with.
How do I report improper use?
If you are suspicious about any swaps or swappers please email us using ‘contact us’ with the details and we will investigate.
Should I give out my contact details?
We do not advise you to swap your details but to use the email messaging system within the secure area of the Studentswapshop.com site.
How to swap safely:
Your safety is paramount to us - Please click on this Home Office link for information on Student Safety.
In the meantime, here are a few do's and don'ts . . .
Do’s
Only swap with registered members
Only swap messages and agree your swap details through the studentswapshop.com site
Keep your exchange places on campus – that way you have plenty of other students around you.
Make sure it’s a busy place like the Student Union and on campus
Take a friend with you, especially if it is not on campus
Tell someone where you are going
If your item is small enough consider swapping by post
If you have any concerns contact us
If uncertain do not swap
Don’ts
Don’t give any personal details
Don’t swap in unfamiliar or remote places
Don’t swap late at night
Don’t meet people on your own
Don’t meet off campus if avoidable
Don't approach any suspicious persons
Don't commit to a transaction if you have any doubts
Don't approach or get into any unfamiliar vehicles to conduct a transaction.