FAQ

Please be advised that every peace. love. swap event is run by different swap organizers – so while our mission statement and general system remains the same, the way each swap is run might vary slightly, so it is important to visit the swap home page of the swap you’re attending and email your LOCAL swap organizer if you have any questions.

How does it work?

Check your local swap page for event dates and times, if the swap offers a prepay option for ticket, purchase your ticket online. If you want to volunteer, email the swap organizer directly. Drop-off your items during the drop-off time* (preferably from REUSABLE bags -not plastic shopping bags), check in, and get a raffle ticket. (keep your 1/2 of the raffle ticket you will need to show it to get in to the swap). All items should be freshly washed, clean and in good condition. Clothes should be on hangers – except for pants, shorts & skirts sized 0-18 months – (if you can’t get hangers – check with your swap organizer, they should have extra & you can likely hang your items when you arrive). When the swap starts, volunteers are let in first, followed by the swappers that prepaid (according to when they purchased their tickets). After all prepaid swappers are in, the swappers that paid at the door will be let in (according to when they purchased their ticket.)** You will be asked to show your ticket & go in (with your own bag) & collect what you need from the swap.*** It’s that easy. Oh.. If you brought hangers, and you want them back – simply find some that are similar – and feel free to take them home with you so you can hang your stuff for the next swap. Remember, the key to a great swap is to only take what you need until the next swap, not to replace an entire wardrobe.

*Some swap locations have early (the day before the swap) drop off times. Make sure to check the local event page.

**This system might vary slightly from location to location – please check the local swap page that you are attending to see if there are any specific instructions and/or different way they are doing things.

***Some swap locations (due to size) have a ‘one bag rule’ – details would be on the swap event page. Basically you are still allowed to take whatever you need, but you are limited to only bringing in one shopping bag to the swap and filling it – taking it out – and coming back in to refill (you are also allowed one large item at a time..)

What are poor swapping habits to avoid?

Poor Swapping Habits to Avoid *** important to read this if you have never attended a swap.

How much does it cost?

$5 if you prepay online, slightly higher fee if you pay at the door – door fee is determined by each local swap organizer please check LOCAL swap page. Volunteers are free.

What is the benefit of prepaying online?

Swappers that prepay get to go in first (after volunteers). However, not all swap events offer the ability to pay online so check the swap home page first.

I paid online and won’t be able to come, can I get a refund?

Unfortunately, no. We can’t offer refunds. Depending on the swap, you can purchase tickets up to the night before the swap – and with some swaps an hour before the swap starts – so there is no need to purchase a ticket way in advance if you are unsure you can attend. You should wait until you know you can go, and then purchase your ticket. If an emergency arises, contact your local swap organizer about a possible credit.

*** please check the local swap page that you are attending to see if there are specific refund/credit rules or instructions.

What does the admission fee include?

The admission gets in one swapper and one person to watch your kiddos if needed (ie mom and dad). If you can’t afford to pay the admission -We always need volunteers. Contact your local swap organizer to volunteer.

What do I bring?/ What do I not bring?

CLEAN, freshly laundered, gently used items for babies and kids ages 0-14, and maternity items. PLEASE make sure your items are things that YOU would want to take home – Clothes, shoes, books, movies, toys, baby stuff, walkers, bouncers, highchairs, portacribs. Email your local swap organizer if you have any questions! We can’t stress to you enough how important it is that you WASH your stuff before you bring it! DON’T bring clothes with holes or large or very bad stains, don’t bring games that don’t work or toys that are broken..in other words…. don’t bring your junk :) – it will not be accepted. Try not to bring stuff out of season. At this time, no cribs.

Do you accept recalled items?

We don’t want recalled items however, we have no way of knowing if an item is recalled as it’s dropped off and don’t have the manpower/time to check everything. Please don’t bring things if they are out of date/expired/recalled. You can check here: http://www.recalls.gov/ . Also, if you get something at the swap – check it when you get home if you think it might be out of date (ie car-seats/ bouncy seats..) It is up to you to check if an item has been recalled - Again, please check this website: http://www.recalls.gov/ .

If I bring 10 things can I only take 10 things? How much can I take?

No, it doesn’t work that way. Everyone is to use their best judgment. If you bring 2 things don’t take 8 bags of stuff home with you :) If your kid is 2 years old don’t take size 4 stuff just because it’s “cute” or a brand name you like. Don’t hoard stuff- it WON’T be tolerated. (PLEASE READ POOR SWAPPING HABITS TO AVOID.) Only take what you need. Bring it back when you are done. Remember, our swaps go on all time, you can get more at the next swap. Don’t take things for other people. The bottom line is we really want this to be about the community, about moms getting together and trading items of like value with other moms. I truly believe that between all of us, we have enough stuff to go around. We just need a place to meet and exchange! This being said, every once in awhile there is that one bad apple in the bunch & don’t think we aren’t watching. There is really no room in this organization for hoarding, taking stuff that you don’t need and/or “aggressive” shopping/swapping – and if we encounter any of this behavior we will ask you to leave & post the behavior on our Facebook page as a swapping ‘Don’t’.

What’s the benefit to volunteering?

The main benefit is that you will get free admission to the swap and get to preview items that are coming in. You also get to enter the swap first. Some swaps might have different shifts – so you are only being asked to help for a short time. Also, there is usually one maybe two moms producing these events – and they do it to help their communities, they need some dedicated, responsible volunteers that have the same vision as they do.

If I volunteer, can I take stuff while I am sorting?

No. this is not fair practice. However, volunteers DO get FREE admission and they do get to enter the swap first.

I am interested in volunteering, do I just show up?

No, you must email the LOCAL swap organizer first and let them know you want to volunteer.

Can I bring my kids while I volunteer?

It’s hard to work while you have your kiddos. Contact the swap organizer first to check with them.

I can’t make it during the time of the swap – can I come early to get stuff?

Unfortunately, no. It’s not fair to the other moms waiting.

I don’t have anything to swap, can I come?

If you are an expecting ( I mean showing 6+months ) or a first time mom you are welcome to come if you don’t have anything to exchange (you obviously wouldn’t yet… but you will!) – you can pay the $5, and there is plenty of newborn stuff to go around. Other than that, we give priority to families that bring stuff to swap. However, you are still welcome to come after a certian time and “shop” and take home what you need – as long as you pay the admission, and come at the designated times (usually 30 minutes after swap starts).

I would like to start a peace. love. swap kids swap in my community – can you help me?

We would LOVE to!! EMAIL ME so we can chat about the possibilities. It’s our goal to see peace. love. swap events all over the US. or visit the “start a swap” page.

Why peace. love. swap?

There are many options out there for swapping your stuff. Simply put – nothing compares to a p.l.s event. You could host your own swap at home – but it’s not that much fun trading stuff with 10-15 people. You aren’t really going to find much to take home. Plus, it’s not an ongoing event. I have stuff that my girls have grown out of almost every month. Home swaps are quaint and fun to hang out with friends, but not really useful. There are online swap sites… not sure if you tried these. Take pictures or describe all of your items, post things, wait for someone to want your stuff, then pay 10-15$ to get a small box of stuff. Or, some sites give you weird online “credits” that you trade in. Totally time consuming, let alone all the cardboard boxes being used… you have to send and receive everything in the mail). With a p.l.s event – it’s easy, you show up with the stuff you don’t want, you get “offline” and out to play with your kids and socialize with other moms in our kid friendly venues while we sort and organize, then you take whatever you need..hellooo for only $5!!! You know you are helping others, because after the swap leftovers go to charities and families in need. It’s fun, it’s green, it’s philanthropic – and it’s coming soon to a town near you!!

DO’s and DONT’s

DO:

Have Fun
Bring your kids – keep keep an eye on them – the venues aren’t free daycare, they are welcome to play if they follow the rules
Wash your items before you bring them in
Put fliers up at your kid’s daycare center/school, supermarkets etc.. and tell your friends
Bring your own bags if possible – try to bring re-usable bags
Come back often- there is always new stuff & new moms and dads
Join the Yahoo group and post wants and sale items online
Like us on Facebook
Support the sponsors, vendors, and raffle donors that support the events :)
Be a sponsor/vendor or raffle donor yourself~ connect with lots of local moms ~

DON’T:

Don’t bring in junk – Nobody wants it. Heavily stained clothes make great rags!
Don’t hoard stuff – we have swaps all the time – just take what you need for a couple of months.
Don’t take stuff that that is too big for your child – let someone else have it, they will bring it back when they are done
Don’t be aggressive~ peace. love. swap is about getting rid of stuff and sharing – you will asked to leave.
Don’t sell items you get at the swap – - you won’t be able to come back if we find out this is happening
Don’t bring items from home that your kids might set down – it might accidentally mistaken for a swap item – if they take their shoes or sweaters off, keep them with you at all times