Swaptree: The Next Cool Free Internet Thing

Posted by Brian Fairbanks

 

We were hoping to get our "Netflix For Books" idea off the ground for years now, but realized it was probably too expensive for us cheap hobo literary types.

That's why we're secretly thrilled that Swaptree, if it works, has taken over where we gave up...

1) Join swaptree.

2) List books you'd be willing to give away-- or, better yet, trade. Hell, list DVDs, CDs, dirty lingerie, and anything else with a barcode on it and they might let you do it.

3) Slap a printable mailing label on it, ship the bastard Book Rate, and wait an unsuffering long time (such as 14 days) for your trade to make it's way 50 blocks.

4) Seriously, then you should figure out what you want in exchange. Or swaptree will-- or at least, they say they will. Think this is a scam? How does this site make any money?

Check it out here.


+ DIGG + DEL.ICIO.US + REDDIT
Posted Nov 06 2008, 02:50 PM
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Comments

afellowgirl said:

I have no idea how this site makes any money (although there are google ads on it), but I swear it works, and it rocks!  I'm on my fourth book trade, and I'm super-excited because in exchange for a paperback my husband never read, I'm getting an awesome hardcover book in supposedly near-new condition.  Also, I've received my last books in just a few days. I don't work for this site or anything, I'm just an excited, cheap-ass nerd.

November 6, 2008 3:26 PM

Jen Lollipop said:

There is another site much like swaptree called paperback swap, http://www.paperbackswap.com

I've been using it for quite a while now and it's awesome! Check it out!

November 6, 2008 8:18 PM

Tess said:

couldnt agree more.  swaptree is the best site on the internet.

November 6, 2008 9:44 PM

jennerd said:

there is this other thing like netflix for books but its totally free.  its called your public library.  check it out.

November 6, 2008 10:27 PM

Brian Fairbanks said:

Yeah, yeah, very funny. But the point is that the library has only what your local library has-- it may not have Journey to the End of Night or some rare book, but a Netflix-type shipping facility would. It could be operated by an institution like the New York Public Library or the Strand, a massive enclave with hundreds of thousands of titles and, like Netflix, you wouldn't have due dates, which is one of the reasons I still haven't taken out Infinite Jest from the library here.

November 6, 2008 10:35 PM

Jerry said:

Dude, I totally agree with Tess, swaptree is the best site on the net right now! I just swapped out an old copy of Animal Farm for 'Super Bad'. Where else on the internet can you do that? Huh? Huh? I didn't think so. haha

November 7, 2008 9:39 AM

Jonathan Wallace said:

Funny comments!!!  Trading Animal Farm for Super Bad is a GREAT trade.  I, too, love Swaptree.  I have tried them all, even the paperback site mentioned above and have decided that Swaptree is the best for me.  Who wants to generate points by trading?  I have enough points on my credit card.  Swaptree does not have those stupid points!!!  I just traded the Bourne Ultimatum for the new book on Oprah's Book of the month club, The Story of Edgar Sawville.  GREAT TRADE!!!  Gotta love a movie for a book trade.  I want to thank Swaptree for helping me save money in this economy.  Peace.

November 7, 2008 11:03 AM

About Brian Fairbanks

Brian Fairbanks, the Senior National Political Correspondent for Nerve, is a filmmaker living in Brooklyn or New Orleans, depending on the season. He is a heavily-armed advocate of gun control.

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