swap events vs. online swapping

There has been so much in the news lately about swapping - in this economy, people are doing whatever they can to save a dollar. Although I originally started the swaps as more of a "recycling movement" - it certainly has been a godsend for some that simply can't afford to buy retail. Over the last year and a half of throwing kid's clothing and gear swaps, I have seen a lot of new swap ideas sprout up. I have to say that it is so cool to see so many people just exchanging the things they don't use for something "new" to them. I haven't really come across anyone that does what we do. Don't get me wrong, there are lots of kid's clothing swaps,  and they are all over, however, what we strive to do is to keep our swaps happening on a monthly or bi monthly basis - because we know how quickly kids grow out of stuff. Plus, our swaps are really a sort of play date - parents chat with other parents in the kid/family friendly venue - kids play and then  it's a swap fest!  I just wanted to post some pictures of the last swap I threw here in my town - Grass Valley at Gold Country Gymnastics. I want people to see how much stuff you can get for only the $5 admission fee.  I am not in any way putting down swap websites or other forms of swapping- in fact, I think online swap websites are great for in between swap events or if you only have one kid and don't go through that much stuff.  My only problem is I have 3 kids 5 and under - and they grow... fast. Each box I would order from a popular online swap site would cost me almost $16 (that's $5 + $15.70 shipping) - granted you get maybe 15-18 pieces - which is a great deal ($1 or so a piece) - but at one of our events - for $5 you can get all the clothes you need for all of your kids, plus.. strollers, toys, books, movies, accessories, you name it.  So the pictures below are the difference between what you get online, and what you get at an event.

 Here's what you get online for about $15 (not to mention all the waste created by all these boxes.. yikes!)

 

Now.. here is what you get for $5 at a peace. love. swap event!  (almost zero waste)

Now try to fit that stuff in a box!!! 

I am telling you .. everyone needs an event like this close to them. Please don't get me wrong - I think online swapping is awesome, if that is all that is available to you - but you can get soooo much more at an event. Then - get what you can't find from swapping at your local thrift or consignment store. Think of all the waste that is not going into the landfills by reusing. It's amazing. After this last swap - (after about 60 swappers) we had only one small shopping bag size (trader joe's bag) of trash and one small box of recycling!!! Talk about being green : )

I love it. And, if your problem is that you don't have an event like this close to home.. please just contact us - we will help you start one - your community will thank you, the earth will thank you and most of all - your wallet will thank you!

That's all for now, 

happy swapping

meg