Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about SwapLocal.

How SwapLocal Works

What is SwapLocal?

SwapLocal is a community barter platform where you can exchange goods and services without any money changing hands. You post what you have or can offer, find others who want it, and agree on a swap — both parties get something they need.

Is money involved?

No. SwapLocal is a cashless, money-free barter platform. All exchanges are goods for goods, services for services, or goods for services. No payments are processed on the platform.

How do I propose a swap?

Find a listing you’re interested in, then click ‘Propose Swap’. Select what you’re offering in return, add a message, and send the proposal. The other user will accept, decline, or message you to negotiate.

What if the other person doesn’t follow through?

You can report users who fail to honor an agreed swap. Verified users who accumulate complaints may be suspended. We also support a dispute resolution process for active swaps.

Identity Verification

Why do I need to verify my identity?

Verification builds trust in the community. Verified users can post listings, propose swaps, and send messages. It reduces fraud and ensures everyone on the platform is a real person.

What documents do I need to verify?

You need to upload the front and back of a government-issued photo ID (passport, driver’s license, or national ID card), plus a selfie so we can match your face to your document.

How long does verification take?

Most verifications are reviewed within 24 hours. You’ll receive a notification once a decision has been made.

What happens if my verification is rejected?

You’ll receive a reason for the rejection. You can re-submit with clearer documents, or submit an appeal if you believe the decision was incorrect.

Is my ID data stored securely?

Yes. Uploaded ID documents are stored in encrypted object storage, accessible only to administrators for verification review purposes. See our Privacy Policy for full details.

Disputes & Reporting

How do I report a listing?

Open any listing and click the ‘Report’ button. Select a reason and provide details. Reports are reviewed by our moderation team within 48 hours.

How do I report a user?

Visit the user’s public profile and click ‘Report User’. Our team will investigate and take appropriate action.

What is a dispute?

If you have an active swap with another user and something goes wrong (e.g., items are misrepresented, the other person doesn’t show up), you can open a dispute. An admin will review evidence from both sides and make a decision.

How can I track my reports and disputes?

Go to your profile and select the ‘Reports & Disputes’ tab to see all submitted reports, their statuses, and any admin responses.

Trust & Reputation

How does the reputation system work?

After completing a swap, both parties can leave a review (1–5 stars with comments). Your reputation score is an average of all reviews you’ve received. Higher reputation means more trust from the community.

What does the leaderboard show?

The leaderboard showcases the most active and well-reviewed members in the community, ranked by their reputation score and number of completed swaps.

Can I block another user?

Yes. Visit any user’s public profile and click ‘Block User’. Blocked users cannot contact you, propose swaps with you, or see your messages.