In short
You list an item and set its point value. Other members bid using their points. You agree the details in in-app chat, meet, and hand the item over. Points settle on completion and can be spent on anything else on the platform. No money changes hands, and there are no fees.
The four steps
- 01
List what you want to move on
~2 minutes
Photograph the item, write a short honest description, and set a point value. Listings with several clear photographs and a note about condition attract meaningfully more offers than a single blurry shot, because the first question every trader has is "what's wrong with it?". Answer that up front.
- Photograph in daylight, including any damage
- State what is included — cables, cases, accessories
- Be specific about model and age
- Set a point value that reflects condition, not what you paid
- 02
Receive offers
Usually within hours
Other members browse and place bids using their points. Offers arrive in real time and sit side by side so you can compare them. Unlike a cash listing, you are not waiting for one buyer with the right amount of money — anyone with points is a potential counterparty.
- Compare offers side by side rather than first-come-first-served
- AI-powered matching surfaces your listing to relevant members
- Nearby members see local listings first, which speeds up handover
- 03
Chat and agree the details
A few messages
Use in-app messaging to confirm condition, accessories, and where and when you will meet. Keep this conversation inside the app. It is not a formality — the message history is the record of what was agreed, and it is what protects both of you if there is a disagreement later.
- Confirm condition and what is included in writing
- Agree a public meeting place and a time
- Never move the conversation to a private number
- Ask for an extra photo if anything is unclear
- 04
Complete the swap
One handover
Meet, inspect, hand over. Points settle when the swap is marked complete, and you can spend them immediately on anything else on the platform. No money changes hands at any stage. Both members can then leave a review, which is what builds the reputation the next trader will rely on.
- Inspect before you hand over your own item
- Power on electronics and check serial numbers
- Mark the swap complete in the app so points settle
- Leave an honest review — the system only works if people do
Watch the walkthrough · 1:24
HOW TO USE LET'S BARTER
A short, complete walkthrough — listing an item, setting its point value, comparing offers, negotiating in chat, and finishing a cashless swap. Everything you need to make your first trade.
What the video covers
- 1List an item. Photograph it, describe it honestly, set a point value.
- 2Compare offers. Bids arrive in real time and sit side by side.
- 3Agree in chat. Confirm condition and handover details in the app.
- 4Complete the swap. Meet, inspect, hand over. Points settle instantly.
How the points system works
Points are the mechanism that makes any of this practical, so it is worth understanding properly. Traditional barter fails because of the double coincidence of wants — you have to find someone who wants exactly what you have and has exactly what you want. That is a rare event, and it is why barter economies gave way to money.
A points system removes the constraint. When a member takes your bicycle, you receive points. You spend those points on a laptop from an entirely different member, who spends them on something else again. Nobody in that chain had to want what the previous person was offering.
Three things worth being precise about:
- Points are set by the lister, not the platform. You decide what your item is worth. Bidders can counter, and you settle it in chat.
- Points cannot be bought or withdrawn. They are not a currency and have no value off-platform. They exist purely to match trades, which is why there are no payment fees.
- Points do not expire mid-trade or spoil. Move something out of season, hold the points, and spend them when the thing you actually want appears.
How should you value your item?
The most common beginner mistake is pricing from what you paid rather than what the item is worth now. A three-year-old phone in good condition is worth what a three-year-old phone in good condition is worth, regardless of the contract you signed.
| Factor | What to consider |
|---|---|
| Condition | Working order, cosmetic wear, battery health. Be honest — it surfaces at handover anyway. |
| Completeness | Original box, cables, chargers and accessories raise value noticeably. |
| Age and generation | How many models have been released since yours? |
| Comparable listings | What are similar items valued at on the platform right now? |
| Demand and season | Ski gear in October is worth more than ski gear in April. |
| Purchase price | The least relevant factor. Ignore it. |
How to trade safely
Peer-to-peer trading carries the same risks anywhere, and they are manageable with a short checklist. Let's Barter verifies profiles, keeps negotiation in in-app messaging, and provides reporting tools — but the behavioural habits matter more than any platform feature.
- Meet in public. Busy places, daylight hours. Many police stations offer designated exchange zones.
- Inspect first. Power on electronics, check serial numbers, confirm accessories — before you hand over your own item.
- Stay in the app. Moving to SMS removes the record that protects you both.
- Read trade history. Completed swaps and reviews tell you more than any single listing does.
- Trust your instinct. If a trade feels wrong, do not complete it. There will be another.
Frequently asked questions
How does Let's Barter work?
Let's Barter is a free, points-based barter marketplace. You list an item and set its point value, other members place bids, you agree details in in-app chat, and you complete a cashless handover. Points settle on completion and can be spent on anything else on the platform. No money changes hands at any stage.
How are points calculated?
The owner of a listing sets its point value, guided by the item's condition, age and what comparable listings are valued at. Bidders can offer more or fewer points, and the two of you settle on a figure in chat. Points are not bought with money and cannot be withdrawn — they exist only to match trades.
How do I earn points if I am new?
By listing items. You receive points when another member takes something you listed, and you also earn through completing swaps successfully, receiving positive reviews and staying active. The fastest start is to list two or three things you have genuinely finished with.
Can I spend points on anything?
Yes. That is the point of the system. Points earned from a bicycle can be spent on a laptop, a jacket or an hour of tutoring, from any member. You never need to find someone who wants your specific item.
Do I have to ship items?
Usually not. Nearby item discovery is designed around local handovers, which avoids shipping cost entirely. If you want to trade with someone further away, you and the other member arrange delivery between yourselves.
What if the item is not as described?
Inspect before you complete the swap — that is why handovers happen in person. If a listing is misrepresented, do not mark the swap complete, and use the in-app reporting tools. Because negotiation stays in in-app messaging, there is a record of what was agreed.
Is it really free?
Yes. There are no listing fees, transaction fees, commissions or subscription tiers. Because no money moves between members, there is no payment processing to charge for.
How long does a swap take?
Listing takes about two minutes. Offers typically start arriving within hours in active areas. The handover is scheduled between you and the other member, so the overall time depends mostly on how quickly you both want to meet.
Ready to list your first item?
Free to download, free to use, no listing fees ever.