Swaptree Inc.

About Swaptree Inc.

Swaptree Inc. was established in June 2004 by founders Greg Boesel and Mark Havener (originally cited as Mark Hexamer), two book lovers who envisioned a broader, more efficient platform for swapping books and other media. The company operated an online platform that facilitated the trading of used books, CDs, DVDs, and video games among its users.

The core of Swaptree's service was its proprietary algorithm that enabled complex, multi-party trades. Unlike simple point-based systems where users accumulate credits, Swaptree's technology could arrange three or even four-way swaps, significantly expanding the trading possibilities. A user would list the items they had and the items they wanted, and the system would identify a chain of users to make the exchange happen. This item-for-item trading model was a key differentiator, allowing for cross-media exchanges, such as a video game for a book.

The business model was primarily ad-supported, as the service was free for users, who were only responsible for their own shipping costs. Swaptree also offered a postage-printing service to streamline the shipping process for its members. Despite its concept, the company faced considerable challenges, particularly concerning customer service. Numerous users reported issues with unresolved disputes, items lost in the mail, and a general lack of responsiveness from the company, which tarnished its reputation.

In late 2012, Swaptree was acquired by Netcycler Inc. Following the acquisition, the Swaptree platform was shut down, and the acquiring company launched Swap.com in 2013, shifting the business model from direct peer-to-peer swapping to a centralized online consignment and thrift store.