Swappa, LLC
TypePrivate
IndustryE-commerce
FoundedKansas City, Missouri (2010)
FounderBen Edwards
Headquarters
Kansas City, MO
,
United States
Key people
Ben Edwards (CEO)
Websitehttps://swappa.com

Swappa functions as a peer-to-peer marketplace, facilitating the buying and selling of both new and gently used technology products. The platform establishes a direct connection between buyers and sellers, emphasizing that all listed devices must be fully operational to be eligible for sale. To uphold this standard, Swappa has a dedicated customer service team responsible for reviewing listed devices.

The purchasing process on Swappa is straightforward, with buyers transacting directly with sellers. Notably, the platform undertakes measures to verify the legitimacy of listed devices. This includes checking the device serial number to ensure it is not associated with theft. Sellers are also required to upload photos of the device, powered on, alongside a custom listing code unique to each transaction.

Swappa relies on PayPal for handling all financial transactions, leveraging the established buyer protection mechanisms provided by the payment service. This approach enhances the overall trust and security of the marketplace for both buyers and sellers participating in the exchange of technology products.

History

Swappa was founded by Ben Edwards and launched on December 5, 2010.[1] Swappa is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, and is a remote workplace with employees spread across the United States and around the world including Ecuador, Greece, India, and Thailand.

The Swappa marketplace was launched with the goal of building a safer and simpler marketplace. It was launched to serve as an alternative to other online marketplaces such as eBay and Craigslist.

Products sold on Swappa

Swappa launched in 2010 as an Android only marketplace but started expanding the available device categories in 2012. The first new category was added in 2012 and allowed sellers to create listings for iPhones. The Swappa marketplace now allows sellers to list the following:

Buying on Swappa

Swappa users can purchase a listing from a Swappa seller with a Swappa account or using a guest account.[2] The Swappa marketplace allows buyers to find items using the on-site navigation system or using the search bar. Buyers pay the amount that is shown on the listing page, and the price shown to buyers includes standard shipping costs. After a buyer makes a purchase, they are given access to a private sale page to communicate directly with the seller and Swappa staff.

Selling on Swappa

All Swappa sellers are required to have a Swappa account.[3] Swappa users can use a standard Swappa account to list items for sale. Swappa also has a Trusted Seller program[4] and an Enterprise Seller program.[5]

Listings from sellers using a standard Swappa account or from sellers who are part of the Trusted Seller program are reviewed by Swappa's moderation team before they are approved for sale. The listing review process includes reviewing verification photos, checking the ESN or Serial Number, making sure the device meets the required criteria, and the sellers account history.  

Swappa Product Condition Categories

Swappa defines conditions as New, Mint, Good, and Fair.[6] The requirements for each category have been defined as follows:

  • New: Unopened retail packaging (factory sealed)
  • Mint: Pristine condition, no signs of wear and tear
  • Good: Excellent condition, minor wear, and tear
  • Fair: Noticeable wear and tear

Swappa Device Criteria Requirements

Swappa requires all devices to be fully functional including all functions of the screen, buttons, ports, and camera.[7] Listed devices must have a functional battery that properly charges and discharges. Devices must have a clean ESN that is ready for activation, and they cannot have an outstanding financial obligation with a carrier, have any cracked or chipped glass, water damage, or other structural issues.

Payments and Fees on Swappa

Swappa uses PayPal for Marketplaces to process payments. According to Swappa, PayPal is used for payment processing because of the protections offered for buyers and sellers.[8]

PayPal Purchase Protections for buyers include coverage for items that are damaged or lost in shipping and for items that are not as advertised. PayPal's buyer protections also include dispute resolution and are valid for 180 days from the date of purchase. PayPal protections for sellers include fraud protection and offer protection against unauthorized transactions and item not received claims.[9]

Selling on Swappa is free for sellers. Buyers pay a sale fee that is already included in the displayed price on the listing. The Swappa sale fee is tiered based on the sellers asking price.

Swappa Services

ESN/IMEI/MEID checks

Swappa requires all cellular-connected devices to be fully functional, ready for activation, and have a clean ESN / IMEI / MEID. Swappa employs a team of moderators that review listings before they are approved to ensure listed devices meet the requirements. Swappa also provides a free ESN check service that is available to the public.[10]

Repair Network

The Swappa Repair Network originally launched in 2017. The Swappa Repair Network is a directory of 2,000+ repair shops capable of providing repair services for smartphones, tablets, and other technology. Swappa re-launched the Repair Network in 2020 and introduced a Repair Calculator[11] to assist users in determining the cost of repairing a broken phone.

Protection Plans

Swappa partnered with Warranty Life in 2016 to provide protection plans for used phones purchased from the Swappa marketplace. In 2018, Swappa and Warranty Life began offering protection plans for used MacBooks purchased from the Swappa marketplace. The Warranty Life protection plans include 1 year of coverage, and cover issues such as broken screens, water damage, and power surges.

Swappa Local

Swappa Local was introduced in June 2019 as a way for buyers and sellers to connect and meet up locally. Swappa Local listings function in the same manner as a traditional Swappa listing and the Swappa moderation team reviews every Local listing before it is approved.

Carrier Phone Plans and Reviews

In December 2019, Swappa added carrier Phone Plan pages. The Phone Plan pages outline the different wireless plans available from the three major U.S. wireless carriers; AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, and wireless plans that are available from MVNO carriers. The Phone Plan pages also include a section for Swappa users to review and rate wireless carriers.

Growth

Swappa facilitated $500,000 in seller proceeds in 2011 and reported $1,000,000 in seller proceeds for 2012. Reported seller proceeds for years 2013 - 2017 are as follows:

  • 2013: $7,000,000
  • 2014: $23,000,000
  • 2015: $43,000,000
  • 2016: $60,000,000
  • 2017: $77,000,000

Seller proceeds for 2018 were reported as $92 million, and total over $300 million since Swappa was founded in 2010.[12]

Recognition

  • 2013: mobile software development community XDA made Swappa its official marketplace for devices.[13]
  • 2016: the Wall Street Journal noted Swappa as being The Smart Way to Trade in Old Gadgets for Cash.[14]
  • 2018: the New York Times noted Swappa as being a good way to buy a used phone without getting fleeced.[15]
  • 2018: Swappa received the Sitejabber Customer Choice Award.[16]
  • 2019: Swappa was noted as one of the most reputable places you can shop online for used phones by CNN.[17]
  • 2020: the Los Angeles Times included Swappa as part of a list of the best places to sell your used phone online.[18]
  • 2020: The Today Show included Swappa in their story about creating a virtual classroom at home.[19]

References

  1. ↑ "About Swappa". Swappa.com. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  2. ↑ "FAQ: How do I buy a listing on Swappa? - Swappa". Swappa.com. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  3. ↑ "FAQ: How do I list a product on Swappa? - Swappa". Swappa.com. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  4. ↑ "FAQ: What's a trusted seller? - Swappa". Swappa.com. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  5. ↑ "FAQ: What is an enterprise seller? - Swappa". Swappa.com. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  6. ↑ "FAQ: What are the requirements for product condition categories on Swappa? - Swappa". Swappa.com. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  7. ↑ "FAQ: What criteria does a product have to meet to be listed on Swappa? - Swappa". Swappa.com. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  8. ↑ "FAQ: Payments - Swappa". Swappa.com. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  9. ↑ "PayPal Purchase Protection for Buyers – PayPal US". www.paypal.com. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  10. ↑ "IMEI Check / Check IMEI Numbers Free - Swappa". Swappa.com. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  11. ↑ "Phone Repair Calculator: Find Cost and Value - Swappa". Swappa.com. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  12. ↑ "About Swappa". Swappa.com. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  13. ↑ "XDA Makes Swappa Its Official Marketplace". xda-developers. 2013-02-26. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  14. ↑ Olivarez-Giles, Nathan (2016-12-30). "The Smart Way to Trade In Old Gadgets for Cash". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  15. ↑ Gordon, Whitson (2018-11-01). "How to Buy a Used Phone Without Getting Fleeced (Published 2018)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  16. ↑ "2020 Customer Choice Awards - Sitejabber". www.sitejabber.com. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  17. ↑ Cipriani, Jason (2019-10-21). "Used Google Pixels: A guide on where and how to buy one along with how to trade-in". CNN Underscored. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  18. ↑ "How to sell your cellphone online: We evaluated 10 options so you don't have to". Los Angeles Times. 2020-10-17. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  19. ↑ "How to create a virtual classroom at home for your kids". TODAY.com. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
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