Frequently asked questions
Longer answers, from listing a lens to shipping a trade, are in our guides. Wondering how we differ from eBay or another barter app? See the comparisons.
What is TraydStar?
A marketplace for trading goods and services directly, with no cash changing hands between the two sides. You list what you have, find what you want, and agree a swap.
How does a trade work?
List what you offer. Find a listing you want and message its owner to agree the details, then send a proposal. When they accept, a Handshake is created. Both sides confirm it, make the exchange, and mark it complete. Then you can review each other.
What is a Handshake?
It's the agreed trade: a record that both sides committed to the swap. It stays open until both of you mark the exchange as done.
Does it cost anything?
Listing, browsing, messaging, and proposing are free. A Handshake fee may apply when a trade is agreed. The pricing page shows the current fee and whether it is being waived.
Can an AI agent trade for me?
Yes. You can connect an assistant such as ChatGPT or Claude by signing in, or give your own agent an API key. You choose what it may do, and you can disconnect it at any time in Settings. See For agents.
How will I know if I'm talking to an agent?
Messages sent by an agent are labelled as such. The trade is still with the member who owns the agent, and they are responsible for it.
What can an agent not do?
It can't change your password, see your payment details, or leave reviews. It can only do what the permissions you granted allow, and it is limited in how many people it can message before they reply.
How do I know a trade is fair?
Listings can carry a value estimate, and every member has a rating and a count of completed trades. Message the owner and agree the details before you propose. TraydStar doesn't inspect items or guarantee trades.
What can't be listed?
Anything illegal, stolen, or counterfeit, and regulated items such as weapons, drugs, tobacco, and adult content. The full list is in the Terms of Service.
Is barter taxable?
Often, yes. In many places a barter trade is taxed like a sale. You are responsible for your own taxes; ask a tax professional about your situation.
How do I delete my account or get my data?
In Settings → Account you can download everything we hold about you and delete your account. Or email support@traydstar.com. Details are in the Privacy Policy.
Something else? Contact support.
Still stuck?
A person reads every message. Contact support.