What is SWAP e SHOP?
SWAP e SHOP is a unique concept that combines the best features of E-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon with the best features of barter exchanges worldwide. With an inventory of nearly $50 million in goods available from our online store, SWAP e SHOP offers a much larger selection of goods at lower cost than virtually any other supplier.
How does it work?
It’s really very simple. You contact your local SWAP e SHOP associate and tell them what you want to swap (goods or services) and their retail value. You provide the goods or services and receive a shopping credit for their full retail value. You can then use that credit at the SWAP e SHOP online store anytime. You can buy one item or many, paying only a 12% transaction fee.
Example #1: Say you are a DVD distributor with an overstock of 1,000 copies of assorted DVDs with a list price of $8.95 and an original cost of $1.00. You deliver those DVDs to your local SWAP e SHOP associate and get a shopping credit for $8,950. You go to the SWAP e SHOP website and immediately buy $4,000 worth of tools and office supplies, paying a transaction fee of $480. Later in the year, you use the remaining $4,950 of your credit to buy Christmas gifts for your employees and family, for which you pay a transaction fee of $594. In total, you have received $8,950 worth of goods in exchange for your overstocked DVDs with an original cost of $1,000 plus transaction fees of $1,074.
Example #2: As a restaurant owner, you could swap $5,000 worth of gift certificates for use at your restaurant. At the SWAP e SHOP website, you might choose to get $5,000 worth of coffee at $2.99 per pound, paying only a 12% transaction fee. In effect, the coffee would cost you just $0.36 per pound, while the gift certificates bring in a good number of new customers. This, of course, is just one of many possibilities stocked by SWAP e SHOP for restaurant owners.
Example #3: If you are a firm that provides professional services—such as an accountant, attorney, hair or nail salon, plumber, electrician, interior designer, landscaper, massage therapist, or dentist—you can swap specific services or hours of service with SWAP e SHOP. You do not have to wait until your services are delivered before shopping. A few hours of your services in the future can be traded immediately for items such as jewelry, clothing, coffee, cosmetics, toys, handbags, gifts, or even a jacket or sweatshirt with the logo of your favorite ball team—paying only a 12% transaction fee.
What kind of goods and services does SWAP e SHOP accept?
Almost anything. A food wholesaler swapped $100,000 worth of frozen turkeys close to their sell-by date, a clothing store traded 80 leather jackets, a regional appliance dealer swapped 300 DVD players, a fitness supplier exchanged 20 high-end treadmills, a radio station swapped $20,000 of airtime, and a magazine traded $25,000 of ad space. A restaurant contributed $5,000 worth of gift certificates, an amusement park swapped $40,000 worth of admission passes, and a health club chain exchanged $8,000 worth of annual memberships.
Clients have even swapped cars and boats. Services that can be swapped cover a wide range, including automobile repair, legal services, accounting, construction, lawn care, travel services, website design, vocational training, medical clinics, dentistry, moving and trucking, sign making, technical writing, and many more.
Will SWAP e SHOP accept anything at all?
No, not everything. Obviously we cannot accept goods that are illegal, such as Cuban cigars or automatic weapons. We also do not accept items for which there is simply no market. However, because we have such a large network of contacts, you may be surprised at what we can accept.
What about used cars and vehicles?
Under the 2005 law, the tax deduction for a vehicle donated to charity is limited to the actual selling price of the vehicle, not an inflated “book value.” Without this tax write-off, more people may prefer to sell a used vehicle rather than donate it. As part of its service, SWAP e SHOP will accept used vehicles valued at $5,000 or more and will give you the full Kelley Blue Book value as a shopping credit for any vehicle you swap.
What happens to the goods and services swapped to SWAP e SHOP?
Unlike a barter club, your goods and services are not normally listed on the SWAP e SHOP web site. Rather, they are sold by SWAP e SHOP and its local associates to other businesses and customers. As a national company, SWAP e SHOP has a large customer base and many strategic alliances, and is thus able to sell your goods and services.
Can SWAP e SHOP increase my customer base?
Definitely. SWAP e SHOP has established relationships with many customers who may not know you. This is especially valuable if you are offering services, because you may be able to establish long-term relationships with new customers who might never have discovered you otherwise.
What are other advantages of dealing with SWAP e SHOP?
One important advantage is that your reputation will be enhanced because you will not be seen as a discounter. By swapping your excess inventory with SWAP e SHOP, you don’t need to advertise heavy discounts, and customers will be more inclined to pay your regular prices. Another benefit is that swapping your goods for shopping credits conserves your cash and can help reduce borrowing for major purchases, building repairs, or business expansion. A further advantage is that you clear excess inventory that may be taking up valuable floor space or costing you money in storage.
SWAP e SHOP also helps you make better use of your capacity year-round. For instance, restaurants have empty tables, spas have unused exercise machines, movers have idle trucks, and accountants have open hours. SWAP e SHOP allows you to trade stagnant assets for valuable goods and services that you would normally pay cash for.
Why is getting goods through SWAP e SHOP better than buying at discount prices online or at a warehouse wholesaler? The key reason is that you don’t need cash for your purchases from SWAP e SHOP. By swapping your excess inventory of goods or providing services at full list price, you can cover many of your business expenses—such as office equipment, clothing, and gifts—with only a very small outlay of cash.
Why is SWAP e SHOP better than a barter club?
Several reasons: First, the bartering process is quite cumbersome at most barter clubs, and they charge a fee just to join. At SWAP e SHOP, there is no sign-up fee. Second, your choices of goods and services are limited to what someone else has traded in, and you generally have to wait for the items you need. In some cases, you must have a special relationship to get anything worthwhile. At SWAP e SHOP, you can always access our online store, with a product inventory of nearly $50 million to choose from. Our state-of-the-art website lists and shows pictures of all the items available. No barter club comes close to this.
Do I have to be a member of SWAP e SHOP to use it?
Yes. Becoming a member is simple. Simply fill out the SWAP e SHOP form—it only takes a few minutes.
How long does it take to become a member?
Normally, membership applications are processed the same day they are received, and approval is almost immediate.
What is the cost to become a member of SWAP e SHOP?
Nothing. Membership is absolutely free.
How much can I swap on SWAP e SHOP?
As much or as little as you want. You can swap $500 or $500,000. There are no monthly or annual requirements or limits.
How do I submit goods (or services) to SWAP e SHOP?
When you become a member, you will have access to a page on the website with a swap form. List the items you want to swap and complete a simple online form. SWAP e SHOP will process your request immediately and reply by email with instructions on how and where to deliver the items.
What are the limitations of SWAP e SHOP?
We have about $50 million in inventory, and it changes constantly. In general, your best bet is to review and select from the products and services that are currently available.
How often do items change on SWAP e SHOP online store?
Although we maintain nearly $50 million in inventory at all times, we continue to add items daily to the SWAP e SHOP store thanks to our strong relationships and contracts with product suppliers. In the future, we expect to have $500 million worth of products in our store for you to choose from.