Katie Reviews: The Big Wardrobe!

Continuing with our summer reviews, here are Katie’s thoughts on the swapping site, The Big Wardrobe:

The Big Wardrobe

Last week I reviewed the curated (read: members only) reFashioner site and today I’ll talk a bit about the ‘free for all’ swap site the Big Wardrobe.
Big Wardrobe started out as a pure clothing  swap site but now there’s a lot more going on.  Not only can  you swap, offer cash or a combination of both  (if you upgrade your account -£12 a year,  you can sell your things for cash otherwise it’s swap only) and at any given time there are approximate 85,000 pieces available.  They are attempting to cover all bases: men, women, kids, books, dvds, electronic… well you get the picture, just about anything post-able you have hanging about the house is fair game.  

Big Wardrobe is about a year old and like life, it’s not quite perfect (it’s no longer truly free and to do anything but the basic swap requires paid membership and  a lot things are cash only). The issue of swaplifting (someone who arranges a swap, then never complete their end of the transaction, thus getting something for nothing) has occurred but Big Wardrobe have it under control and even have a list of deactivated offenders and their aliases.

For certain categories, it’s worth looking to other sites -for make-up try Make Up Alley. Ok, so it’s not lingerie, but we all love a bit of make-up to go with our fabulous boudoir bargains!

Big Wardrobe is a great place to find bargains and the search engine in the middle of the homepage site works pretty well. If you have a favourite brand, you have the the opportunity to search for it once you’ve chosen a category.  Other positives are: everyone and just about everything is welcomed and it’s worldwide (though primarily U.K./U.S.).  This is really a fantastic site for people more interested in different styles than in brand names (the bulk is found under  “other”) making it a browsers paradise!

Want to try you hand at Big Wardrobe swapping?

Here’s How To Play:

1. Register and become a member of Bigwardrobe.com
2. List your items… add a description and up to 3 photos.
   ( fashion related -including cosmetics & accessories, or unwanted media, electronics, toys, games etc.)
3. Decide if you want to swap or sell your item.
   NOTE: To sell you must upgrade your membership  – £12 annually
4. Finalise your listing and upload it to the BIG Wardrobe
5. Other people can now rummage through your stuff.
6. If a member sees something they like… they can:
   • a) propose a swap for something they have listed on BW
   • b) offer to buy your item for cash
   • c) propose a ‘Combo’ offer (e.g. their jeans plus £10 for your item)
7. When you accept an offer – BW will send you contact details for each other.
8. Make contact and agree (between yourselves) all payment and postage arrangements.
9. The member with the lowest feedback score always posts their item(s) / pays first.
10. If you owe money, pay promptly by either cheque or PayPal.
11. If you need to send something by post – ONLY use Recorded Delivery or a similar track-able service.
    NOTE: If you don’t send by this postal method your parcel can’t be traced if it becomes lost.
12. When your item(s) and/or money arrives, remember to leave feedback for the other member.