Help & FAQ

Everything you need to know about trading on xchngbl

Quick Start Guide

New to xchngbl? Start here:

  1. Create Your Profile — Sign in with Google and set up your profile with your location (city/state level).
  2. Choose Your Path — Have items to trade? Create an offer. Looking for items? Browse offers. Both? Do both! Most successful traders list items AND browse.
  3. Start Trading — When you find something you want, send a proposal. When someone wants your item, respond to their proposal.

Getting Started

How do I create an account?

  1. Click “Sign In” or “Get Started”
  2. Choose “Continue with Google”
  3. Authorize xchngbl to access your Google account
  4. Complete your profile (name, location)
  5. Start trading!

We use Google OAuth for secure authentication. We never see or store your Google password.

What information do I need?

Required: Name, email (from Google), and location (city and state for local matching).

Optional: Profile photo, bio, and phone number (only shared after trade acceptance).

Creating Your First Offer

How do I list an item for trade?

  1. Click “Create Offer” from your dashboard or navigation
  2. Add Photos (1–5 photos) — Use clear, well-lit photos showing multiple angles and any defects
  3. Describe Your Item — Title, category, condition, and detailed description
  4. Set Estimated Value (optional) — Helps match with similar-value items
  5. Publish — Review and click “Create Offer”

What items can I trade?

Most things are allowed! Common categories:

  • Clothing, shoes, bags, jewelry
  • Electronics — phones, laptops, cameras, gaming consoles
  • Books, vinyl records, DVDs, games
  • Furniture, home decor, tools
  • Sports equipment, bikes, camping gear
  • Toys, baby items, musical instruments
  • Collectibles, trading cards, antiques, art

See our Community Guidelines and Terms of Service for prohibited items.

Photo tips

  • Use natural light (near a window)
  • Show the entire item from multiple angles
  • Include close-ups of details and any damage
  • Show scale next to a common object
  • Don't use stock photos, blurry images, or photos of different items

Browsing & Discovering

How do I find items I want?

  • Browse — See what's available in your area and scroll through all active listings
  • Filter by Category — Narrow down to what you're interested in
  • Save to Wants List — Click “Save” on any item you like to build your wishlist

What are “Mutual Interests”?

When you save someone's offer to your Wants AND they save your offer to theirs — that's a Mutual Interest! Both of you get notified. These are your best trading opportunities since you both already want what the other has.

Proposing Trades

How do I propose a trade?

  1. Click “Propose Trade” on their offer
  2. Select items to offer — Choose from your items (can select multiple)
  3. Write a message (optional but recommended) — Explain why it's a good trade
  4. Review and send — They'll receive a notification

What makes a good proposal?

  • Fair value — Items roughly equal in worth and similar condition
  • Good communication — Include a friendly message explaining why it's a good trade
  • Alignment — Check if they saved any of your items and propose things they actually want
  • Prompt response — Send proposals while items are still available

Safety & Best Practices

How do I stay safe while trading?

  • Before — Meet in public places only, bring a friend, tell someone where you're going, meet during daylight
  • During — Inspect items thoroughly, ask questions, stay in public view, keep your phone charged
  • After — Let someone know you're safe, report any issues immediately

Red flags to watch for

  • Wants to meet in private or isolated locations
  • Pressures you to trade immediately
  • Asks for money in addition to the trade
  • Won't let you inspect items
  • Changes terms at the last minute
  • Has vague descriptions or photos that don't match
  • Asks for personal information too early

Trust your gut! If something feels wrong, cancel and report.

Troubleshooting

I can't upload photos

  • Check file size (must be under 10MB each)
  • Check format (JPG, JPEG, PNG, WEBP supported)
  • Check your internet connection
  • Clear browser cache or try a different browser

My proposal won't send

  • Make sure you have at least one active offer
  • Check that both your offer and theirs still exist
  • Try logging out and back in
  • Clear browser cache or try a different browser

I didn't receive an email notification

  • Check your spam/junk folder and mark as “Not Spam”
  • Verify correct email in profile settings
  • Wait 5–15 minutes — emails can be delayed
  • Log into xchngbl and check your proposals directly

The site isn't loading or is slow

  • Hard refresh: Ctrl+Shift+R (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+R (Mac)
  • Check your internet connection
  • Clear browser cache
  • Try a different browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)

I found a bug

Email xchngbl@xchngbl.com with subject “Bug Report” and include what you were trying to do, what happened instead, your device and browser, screenshots if possible, and steps to reproduce.

Tips for Successful Trading

What makes a great trader?

  • Honest — Accurate descriptions, real photos, disclose all flaws
  • Responsive — Reply to proposals within 24–48 hours
  • Reliable — Show up on time, honor commitments
  • Safe — Meet in public, inspect items, trust your instincts
  • Respectful — Polite communication, handle declines gracefully

How do I get more proposals?

  • Take great photos — clear, well-lit, multiple angles
  • Write detailed descriptions with measurements and specs
  • Set realistic estimated values
  • Respond to all proposals, even to politely decline
  • Keep offers fresh — update descriptions and photos
  • Be active — browse, save items, propose trades, create mutual interests

Getting Help

How do I contact support?

Email: xchngbl@xchngbl.com

Response times:

  • Critical bugs: 2–4 hours
  • General questions: 24–48 hours
  • Feature requests: 48 hours

When emailing, include your username, a detailed description of the issue, screenshots if relevant, and what you've already tried.

How do I report a user?

Click the “Report” button on any offer or profile, select a reason, and add details. You can also email xchngbl@xchngbl.com with subject “Report User” including the username, what happened, and evidence.

We investigate all reports within 24–48 hours.

How do I suggest a feature?

Email xchngbl@xchngbl.com with subject “Feature Request” and include what feature you want, why it would be helpful, and how you envision it working. We read every suggestion and popular requests get built first!

More Resources

Still have questions? Email us at xchngbl@xchngbl.com — we're here to help you trade successfully!