How one startup’s new marketplace is putting last-minute, hard-to-find phones, gaming systems under the tree

With standard shipping deadlines expiring and days ticking away before Christmas, a new marketplace extension — Swappa Local — is helping gift-givers get their hands on gently used tech before the holidays.

“It’s a game changer right now because you can’t turn on the news without hearing about all the shipping delays,” said Sara Beane, media relations specialist with KC-based Swappa. “This is going to really help people as they do their last push to get holiday gifts in time.”

The Swappa Local marketplace offers same- or next-day delivery service of affordable, used electronics — think phones, laptops, gaming systems, smartwatches, home tech and tablets — through Roadie, a startup subsidiary of UPS that uses delivery drivers in local communities. The service relaunched Dec. 16 in 43 markets across the U.S., including Swappa’s hometown, Kansas City.

Click here to see if Swappa Local is available in your city.

The startup offers the safest marketplace for used tech, Beane said, with more than $100 million in seller proceeds projected for 2021.

“We’re such a great alternative because we really put safety first,” Beane said, noting Swappa vetts all sellers before a transaction. “When you come to our site, you can buy with confidence. We have criteria before anyone can list something for sale.”

Swappa Local initially launched as a marketplace extension in 2019 with face-to-face, in-person meetups, but its rollout was paused with the COVID’s arrival, Beane said, emphasizing its pre-holiday 2021 reemergence — with safe socially distanced delivery via Roadie — is well-timed for people hoping to beat the perils of traditional ground shipping.

Click here to see which items — from smart watches to DSLR cameras — are available on Swappa now.

“Phones are our big thing with Swappa,” Beane said. “iPhones are very popular. This time of year, people are looking for gaming systems. They might see some product shortages and come to us to see if they can find one gently used.”

Swappa Local also provides a more affordable option for families who might not be able to pay for a brand-new piece of electronics, Beane said, or who might be needing to purchase several phones for their multiple children. The platform also helped provide affordable options for families to purchase laptops when schools were fully virtual, she noted.

For sellers using the marketplace, Swappa offers additional benefits.

“It’s a great way to get a life out of something that still has a lot of life in it,” Beane said. “People don’t realize they can still get money from some of the things sitting in their closet. You’ll be surprised that some people will find value in it.”

Click here to start selling with Swappa.

With Swappa Local’s debut, the startup’s main marketplace remains available to users.

“You can still buy things no matter where you live in the country,” Beane said. “That will never change; we’re just adding a way for you to buy something through a local seller.”