Swap old stuff for new stuff with Commuto

Commuto is a smart swapping community that's been designed to undermine the in-person swap meet of the past with an online system that finds other people with items you want automatically.

Like Craigslist's wanted section you can list items you're looking for, be it electronics, text books, video games, or any other common good. You can also list items you own but are looking to pawn off. To aid in that, there's a built in search that will let you pull in things like box art and product information so you don't have to type anything in. I found it to be less than complete for some older items, but for things like books, video games, and DVDs, it picked up nearly everything I searched for.

After you've posted a wanted item, other people within your area will be alerted to the fact that you're in need and offer to swap one of their own items. Alternately, if they've already listed ownership of said item, the service will do a little virtual handshake to introduce you to the other person.

Like Craiglist, Commuto is all about keeping things local, so there's no integrated payment system or way to auction off your goods. Instead, you just get in touch with the other person and arrange a swap. It's delightfully simple and will work great as long as there are enough users in your area. There were only eight items in my neck of the woods, so your millage may vary.

Managing a successful trade on Commuto requires time, but less than you might get waiting for it to sell on eBay.

(Credit: CNET Networks)

[teachtopia]

Great idea.
A few suggestions however....
The copyright should be current as of July 28, 08 it says 07 on the bottom
and..
users should be able to see some example and more before getting the huge sign-up prompt on the front page..

[brianwcu]

Like the sleek interface personally, it was really easy to get up and running. Sadly though right now, not many people have found this site. Only like 8 people in my city and its surroundings. (Raleigh/Durham/Cary).

[commentista]

aren't there already a bazillion sites like this?
Someone needs to up the neighborhoods apps on Facebook and turn that into local swapping.

[Emily1943]

This is similar to Freecycle, or where I am it's called Freeshare. How is it an improvement. On Freeshare, I offer items and if someone responds, or several persons respond, I make an arrangement for them to come and take whatever it is I offered.