Frequently Asked Questions
What is Buy or Barter and how does it work?
Buy or Barter was founded on the principle of creating an effective and hassle-free barter system for all. This platform allows individuals and businesses to exchange goods or services without using traditional currency. Members must list items or services they have available and can negotiate trades directly with other members. Think of it as e-commerce with the added benefit of engaging in barter.
How do I sign up and create an account?
Signing up is easy! Just visit our website and click on the “Sign Up” button. Follow the prompts to provide your details, create a profile, and start listing your items or services for trade.
Is the website open to both individuals and businesses?
Yes, our platform is open to both individuals and businesses. Whether you want to trade personal items or offer your professional services, you’re welcome to join.
Are there any fees for using the barter platform?
We offer both free and premium membership options. Our free membership allows you to list a limited number of items. Premium membership comes with additional features and allows unlimited listings for a monthly fee, prioritised listings on the platform, dedicated customer service team and a bunch of other features that will make your Buy or Barter experience a smooth and successful one.
How do I find items or services I'm interested in?
You can use our search filters to browse items or services by category, post code, or just keywords. This makes it easy to find things that match your interests. Alternatively, you can look through the members’ listings to see if there’s something that caught your gaze, and then initiate a barter offer with one of your own listings (that is, of course, if you don’t want to just buy it outright for the price stated).
How do I initiate a trade with someone?
When you find an item or service you’re interested in, you can send a barter offer to the other member. They’ll receive your proposal and if your offer is enticing, they can start a conversation with you via the dedicated chat. They might even respond with a counterproposal, and this allows yourself and them to discuss what works best for the both of you.
What if I don't receive what was agreed upon in a trade?
While we encourage honesty and transparency in all exchanges, disputes may arise. Our aim is to enable an easy process for buying, selling and exchanging goods and services, but sometimes two parties may not arrive at an agreement. We recommend communicating openly with the other party with your needs and/or expectations, and this can help avoid any trouble due to miscommunication or misrepresentation. If however, you still need clarification or are having issues, you can contact our support team for assistance.
Can I trade across different categories?
Yes, you’re not limited to trading within a specific category. You can trade items or services from various categories, as long as both parties agree on the terms of the barter.
Is there a rating system for members?
Yes, as we are building a community of honest and trust-worthy members, we have designed a rating and feedback system. After any transaction is completed, members can, and are encouraged to leave feedback and rate their experience. This helps to promote the positively rated members within the community.
How do I edit or delete a listing?
You can manage your listings in your account via the dedicated dashboard. From there, you can edit details, add or remove photos and videos, mark items as traded, or delete listings that are no longer available.
Can I negotiate the terms of a trade?
Absolutely! Bartering is all about finding mutually beneficial terms. You can negotiate with the other party through our messaging system until both parties are satisfied.
Is there a limit to the number of trades I can make?
There’s no set limit to the number of trades you can make. As long as you have items or services to offer and there are members interested, you can continue to barter. And even if you don’t, you can continue to use the platform to buy or sell like you would on any other e-commerce website.
What if I want to temporarily suspend trading or close my account?
You can temporarily deactivate your listings or account if needed. Visit your account settings to find the options for managing your listings and account visibility.
How do I report suspicious or fraudulent activity?
If you come across any suspicious or fraudulent activity on Buy or Barter, please report it to our support team immediately and your report will be completely anonymous. We take such matters seriously and will investigate promptly.
Can I barter with members outside of the UK?
While our platform is primarily focused on the UK, you might find members from other countries as well. It’s possible to trade internationally, but keep in mind that shipping and logistics may vary and you would need to discuss the specifics of this transaction with them.
“I still have some doubts, can you clarify these for me?”
We certainly can! Please reach out to us via the customer support channels and we will do our best to assist you in any matter.