Strawbarter guide
How Strawbarter works
Strawbarter is a UK-wide marketplace. Browse listings, agree an exchange directly with another member and confirm when it is complete. Check each listing for its location and details.
Quick start
- Browse the UK-wide marketplace and filter by county or UK region. Explore listings.
- Post an offer of goods, digital products or services, or create a wanted listing. Create a listing.
- Choose whether an offer is for sale, for trade or for sale or trade, then select a publication option.
- When an offer accepts trades, members can message, counter, accept or decline a proposal and agree the exchange between them.
- After the exchange, both members confirm completion in Strawbarter. Feedback is available once it is complete.
Start with a listing
Browse listings for goods, digital products and services. You can also post a wanted listing to describe what you are looking for.
Understand listing credits
Credits are used to publish a listing. The publication options are:
- Free: 0 credits.
- Basic: 1 credit for its first accepted publication.
- Premium: 4 credits for its first accepted publication.
Each US$1 adds 4 credits. New members receive 20 welcome credits. Free publication and private drafts use no credits; paid tiers are charged once, on a listing’s first accepted publication.
Free welcome and referral credits have no cash refund or redemption value.
Choose how to exchange
An offer listing can be marked For sale, For trade or Sale or trade. A trade proposal is available when the listing accepts trades.
Make and agree a proposal
Sign in to propose a trade and describe what you can offer. Members can message, counter, accept or decline a proposal. Take time to agree the details before accepting.
What to check before you agree
- What exactly will each person give and receive, and what is included?
- What condition is each item in? Ask about wear, faults or missing parts, and request more photos or details if needed.
- Is the listing available, pending or gone? Ask before agreeing; an online listing may not be up to date.
If details remain unclear or you feel pressured, pause or decline.
Complete the exchange and trade safely
Both members confirm completion in Strawbarter before an exchange is marked complete. Feedback is available after completion.
- Keep useful details in the exchange conversation.
- For physical goods, choose a sensible handover where you feel safe.
Community guidelines and trading safety tips
These practical suggestions apply across Strawbarter’s UK-wide marketplace. Choose arrangements that suit the people, goods or services involved.
Be respectful and honest
Treat other members respectfully. Describe what you offer honestly, including known faults or limits, and be clear about what you expect in return.
Agree the details before you commit
- Confirm what each person will give and receive, including any conditions.
- Discuss item or service condition, availability and any questions.
- Agree timing, collection or delivery, costs and other terms directly.
Plan a safer local handover
- When practical, choose a busy public place and meet during daylight.
- Tell someone where you are going and who you are meeting.
- Use your judgement about home collection or bulky goods; pause if an arrangement does not feel right.
Watch for scams and protect your privacy
- Be cautious if someone pressures you to act quickly or changes terms suddenly.
- Do not follow suspicious links or share passwords, PINs or one-time bank codes.
- Be wary of an overpayment followed by a request to send money back or pay a refund.
You can pause or decline an exchange at any time. Members arrange terms directly. Strawbarter does not confirm listing accuracy or availability, process member-to-member payments, mediate disputes or guarantee a safe trade.
Frequently asked questions
What are publication credits for?
Credits are used to publish listings and buy boosts; members agree trade terms directly with each other. Free publication costs 0 credits, Basic costs 1 credit and Premium costs 4 credits on a listing’s first accepted publication. Each US$1 adds 4 credits, and new members receive 20 welcome credits. Separately, an offer can be marked “This offer is genuinely free” to show that the offer itself is free.
How do direct swaps work?
A trade proposal is available when an offer accepts trades. Members message and agree what they will exchange; publication credits do not set the terms of a swap.
Can I boost my listing?
An approved, unpaused listing can be boosted for 24 hours at a cost of 4 credits. Visit My listings to manage a listing, or view your credits.
How do friend invites work?
Your reusable invite link is under Invite friends. After you and the person you invite have both verified your email addresses, you each receive 20 free referral credits. Free welcome and referral credits have no cash refund or redemption value.
How does listing discovery work?
Listings are UK-wide. You can filter discovery by county or UK region.
What appears on a public member profile?
A profile can show the member name, join date, completed-trade count and active offers. A profile photo, region and short bio are optional. The “Email verified” badge appears when the member has verified their email.