Agree a Marketplace swap or trade clearly
Quick answer
Describe and inspect each side of the trade, then state any cash adjustment separately. If condition or included pieces change, agree a revised exchange, postpone or decline before handing over either item.
Enlarge diagramState both sides of the exchange
A trade has two items to inspect and two decisions to accept, even when little cash changes hands. Write down each item, condition, included pieces and any cash adjustment. Use realistic alternatives to judge the exchange rather than treating a seller’s “trade value” as an appraisal.
Kijiji’s posting guide supports a Swap / Trade listing type. The listing label does not verify either item or make prohibited goods acceptable. Check the platform’s current rules for what you propose to exchange.
A complete two-sided agreement
In this fictional example, one person offers a camera tripod and the other offers an equipment bag. These are agreed negotiation values for the example, not market prices.
| Side | Item and accepted condition | Included pieces | Agreed value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alex | Identified tripod, locks hold in the agreed ordinary test, disclosed cosmetic marks | Correct mounting plate and carrying sleeve | $100 |
| Sam | Identified bag, closures and straps work, disclosed surface wear | Agreed dividers and rain cover | $60 |
Sam proposes the bag plus $40 for Alex’s tripod. The adjustment is stated separately so there is no confusion about who pays whom. Both inspect before either finally hands over their item or the cash. They agree the meeting, ordinary test and included pieces in advance.
The values are useful only if the actual items meet those descriptions. If a working tripod can be bought separately for less, Alex’s original purchase price does not force Sam to accept $100 as its current exchange value.
What if one side fails inspection?
At handover, the tripod’s mounting plate is missing. Sam needs the tripod complete and has found a confirmed correct replacement costing an illustrative $25 delivered. They can propose reducing the tripod’s agreed value to $75, making the cash adjustment $15: 75 −60. Alex can accept or decline. Neither person should assume the original arrangement obliges the other to accept a different item.
There are three practical outcomes: explicitly agree the revised $15 exchange; postpone while Alex supplies the correct plate; or decline and each person leaves with their original property. If the plate’s compatibility or availability is uncertain, a guessed $25 allowance is not enough to establish a complete tripod.
A more serious fault, such as a lock that will not hold, may cause Sam to decline entirely. The bag being in excellent condition does not repair the tripod. Inspect each side independently before discussing a revised balance.
Keep ownership and payment checks intact
Ask the relevant questions about ownership, identity and included accessories just as you would for a cash purchase. If the trade involves a device, follow the account-release workflow. For example, Apple’s Activation Lock guidance requires the authorised owner to release an applicable device; an attractive trade does not make a locked one usable.
Arrange any cash adjustment through the agreed method and verify it appropriately. Do not hand over your item while the other person promises to bring theirs later unless you deliberately understand and accept a different arrangement. A simultaneous meeting still does not itself create purchase protection.
Record the final exchange
The FTC’s marketplace advice supports checking terms and keeping evidence. A useful purchase record can describe both items, their included pieces, observed condition, the cash direction and amount, and the date. Record the final $15 adjustment if that is what was agreed, rather than keeping only the original $40 message.
Do not label the informal record a guarantee of title or future performance. Its purpose is to make the agreement clear. A worthwhile swap leaves both people with the item and obligations they actually accepted; if that cannot be established, keeping your own item is a valid result.