Safety
Most exchanges are quick and uneventful. These habits keep it that way.
The meetup checklist
Meet in public
Pick a spot with other people around. Never a home, never somewhere isolated.
Meet during appropriate hours
Daylight, or a time when plenty of other people are around.
Tell a parent/guardian or trusted adult
Let them know who you're meeting, where and when.
Consider bringing a friend
It's easier, and it's normal. Nobody will think it's weird.
Inspect the item before paying
Check that it matches the photos and works the way the listing says.
Do not send money before seeing the item
No deposits, no holds, no paying ahead. Pay at the meetup.
Do not share your home address
You never need it for a SWAPD exchange. Keep it out of messages too.
Do not share passwords or sensitive information
Nobody from SWAPD will ever ask for your password or a login code.
Report suspicious behavior
Pressure to pay early, move off SWAPD or meet somewhere private is worth reporting.
Block users who make you uncomfortable
You don't owe anyone an explanation, and they aren't told.
Good places to meet
Anywhere public, well lit and busy works. A few ideas:
- On campus in a busy area, before or after school
- A public library
- A busy coffee shop
- A police station lobby or a designated “safe exchange zone”
If the other person only wants to meet somewhere private, that's a good reason to walk away from the deal.
Report or block
Moderators review every report. Reporting is private: the other person is never told who reported them.
If you are in immediate danger, call 911 and tell a trusted adult right away. Reports on SWAPD are not monitored around the clock.
Prohibited items
These can't be listed on SWAPD, no matter how they're described:
- Alcohol
- Nicotine / vapes
- Drugs
- Weapons
- Adult products
- Illegal goods
- Prescription / restricted medications
- Dangerous chemicals and fireworks
- Stolen goods
- Other age-restricted or unsafe products
Listings are screened automatically when they're posted and reviewed by moderators. Listings that break the rules are removed, and accounts can be banned. If you spot something that shouldn't be here, report the listing.