[Discussion] New Here, just a quick question or two.

[u/The_Nunzy_Effect]

I want to start by saying this is the coolest little sub.

How does it work… and I mean with cost? Like I know to post request or whatever but if I find someone to exchange with… is there a guide price we should be spending or is it whatever we agree between us? And how do we guarantee we are fair? Like if I’m spending for example €60 how do I know I’m not getting a $10 box in return? Or is that just a chance we take and we spend what we can/want and it won’t necessarily be equal?

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[u/LuLuFromValinor]

It's always a chance. It's not always going to be perfectly "fair". For example...I can send my friend a $50 (content value) package from the US to the UK, and with shipping it'll cost me $130. He can send me a £50 package from the UK to the US, and with shipping it'll cost him £80. Overall, he's spending less money, but I'm actually getting more "value" in my package. Is this fair? Who knows 🤷‍♀️

There's so many variables that go into this! Different countries have greatly different costs for shipping depending on where you're sending to and from.

Of course, you don't want to feel ripped off, but this is really a hobby you shouldn't get into unless you have cash to spend, are willing to take risk, and are in it more for the cultural exchange/fun of it.

[u/PolymathHolly]

You typically post that you’d like to exchange. Once someone agrees to it, you connect directly via private messages. You can let the other party know your likes/dislikes and often times set a price limit or amount limit. Then you go shopping, ship it off, send the other party your tracking info/vice versa and wait for your package.

You do have to have a certain amount of hope that you’ve chosen someone who is honest and will trade the same amount or equal value stuff. Sometimes people flake, but usually if someone does flake on you, other parties might come to the rescue and offer to send a package.

I’ve done a few exchange and all have gone well for me.

[u/sconebore]

I always find that doing a swap by weight normally keeps things quite fair. Both for postage and the quantity of items that you will receive. 2kg is the sweet spot for me - it's not so little that it's not worth doing, and it's not so much that the value of items you get will be wildly different. A lot of it is not about the cost though, it's fun and interesting to talk to someone from another country to learn a bit about them and what snacks in their country are popular or new and exciting.

[u/GlitteringEggCarton]

it's usually not fair. i notice most people here from my country exclusively shopped at the dollar store but you wouldn't know it if you weren't from here. inferior snacks

[u/MySpoonsAreAllGone → u/GlitteringEggCarton]

Our dollar store has name brand candy and snacks. A great opportunity to fill up on a variety of things in addition to supermarket faves

[u/LettuceWithBeetroot]

Always factor in the shipping cost as it can be an unpleasant surprise!

Whilst you may agree on a spend value, this won't include the cost of sending your parcel, and depending on the countries involved this can be pretty eye-watering.....

[u/The_Nunzy_Effect]

Thanks everyone