• Provide lots of details on what you are offering and what you are looking for. Include photos if possible.

• Identify the terms of shipping, including costs, before you agree to a trade. For obvious reasons (privacy, security), conduct all communication only via the bartering website.

• If you negotiate delivery locally, consider meeting in a public place during business hours. Don't invite strangers to your home or share unnecessary personal or financial information.

• If possible (via member ratings, say; some sites have such ratings, much like eBay), find out as much as you can about the person you're trading with before you agree to a transaction. The sites take no responsibility for fraud or other disputes.

• Trust your instincts. If something seems fishy, try to get more information and don't proceed until you feel comfortable.