Confessions of a Swapper: AngieB

Confessions of a Swapper is a series that profiles MSA's top swappers. Want to share your own swapping experiences with the community? Details for how to get in touch are located at the bottom of the page. 

This week in "Confessions of a Swapper," we're going to meet AngieB, who's completed almost 800 swaps with a 100% positive feedback rating. (That's a lot of swaps!!)

I asked Angie to share a fun fact about herself, and it's a great one:

I am a huge Disney fan, and I make a trip to the parks every year. My favorite "if I win the lottery" daydream is to move to Golden Oak and live at Walt Disney World. It's located on Disney property but away from the parks. The houses are incredibly amazing and each of them has special and unique details, even some hidden mickey's. It's a golf cart neighborhood, so I'd be able to easily get to the restaurants and on-site spa at the four seasons without ever needing to hop in a car and take a freeway. It's also full service and they provide you with housekeeping, landscaping, and any home repairs or updates you have a need for. It sounds like a lifestyle I could really get used to!

Can I admit to you all that I Googled "Golden Oak Disney" immediately after reading this? Wowzers! What a place!

Before we zoom on to Angie's interview, let's take a quick look at what the Swaps site is all about.

What is the MSA Swap site?

Image from MSA's Swap site.

The Swaps section of My Subscription Addiction launched way back in 2014, and it's a place where members of the community can exchange items they receive in subscription boxes. If you've ever wanted to get your hands on a subscription box item you missed out on, Swaps is the place to make it happen. Coveting the Teressa Foglia X Curateur "Lynn" Hat you missed in Spring's Curateur box? Looking to add the Library of Flowers Field & Flowers Luminary from Summer's Margot Elena Subscription Box to your candle collection? Swaps provides a platform where you can connect with other members of the community to trade for the items you can't stop thinking about.

To become a swapper, you'll need to sign up for a free MSA account and set up your profile. After you confirm your email address, you can navigate to the Swaps section and join the Swap site waitlist. Once you've been approved, you're ready to start swapping! (FYI-- your MSA profile is for more than just swaps. It's is a great place to keep track of your subscriptions, opt in to brand-specific emails, and create your subscription wishlist.)

You can browse the wide selection of items and request swaps from members of the community who've listed items that catch your eye. They'll then be invited to browse your listed items. Agree on items you'd like to trade? You've got yourself a swap! Each participant ships their half of the trade and provides tracking information. When the swap is complete, both parties submit feedback.

Over 20,000 swaps have been completed, and there are over 4,000 registered swappers. All members of the My Subscription Addiction community are welcome to participate.

Now, without further ado, let's meet Angie!

Confessions of a Swapper: AngieB

Lindsey: Angie, thanks so much for reaching out and expressing an interest in being a part of this series! Let's start at the beginning: how long have you been swapping on MSA?

Angie: I have been swapping on MSA since 2014.

L: How did you discover Swaps?

A: I found out about subscription boxes from a blog, and I started getting my own boxes. I found myself reading up on any spoilers I could find. I came across MSA and followed it regularly because it was the best place to hear about other boxes.

L: How frequently do you use Swaps?

A: I used to do 2-3 swaps a day. I've slowed down a little this year, and I do maybe 2-3 a month now.

L: What are your 3 favorite swaps you have completed? What made them stand out?

A: The first swap I ever did was such an amazing feeling. I traded a photo frame for some serum and I remember thinking it's so great there was a way to send an item to someone who actually wanted it rather than dropping it in the donation box. The next swap that stands out to me is I received a really nice leather purse. I cannot remember what I traded for it, but I love the purse and use it regularly. The third swap that stands out to me is due to the swapper. I don't even remember what the items were, but there was a lot of back and forth. We had been chatting, and I learned she was suffering from a serious health condition and she was just really on my mind. I sent her some additional items that I knew she could use' and it really felt good hearing it lifted her spirits. It's a reminder that it's a real human on the other side of the swap.

L: What are the “holy grail” items on your swapping wish list?

A: I love Shiseido products and swap generously when that's in the mix- I love a good serum. I'm also on the lookout for the Hand Forged Britannia Fruit Spoon from a box that stopped years ago. Once in a while it pops up on swaps, but I haven't been able to get it yet.

L: When you receive a box, how do you decide which products to keep and which to swap? 

A: I don't wear eyeshadow so anytime I get a new palette, it automatically gets listed. I also prefer unscented products, and I have sensitivity to flowery smells, so all perfumes and anything with too much fragrance gets listed.

L: Do you upcycle in other ways?

A: I have been known to use things for purposes other than what it's intended for. I received a great Kate Spade breakfast tray and I created a cute cat feeding station, but I don't really upcycle because I'm simply not that creative.

L: What's your favorite thing about Swaps?

A: My favorite thing about Swaps is being able to send an item to someone who can actually use it and receiving items I'll actually use. If it wasn't for Swaps I can't imagine how much I would have just tossed or trashed over the years because I didn't need or want it.

L: What's your favorite subscription? And what do you love about subscriptions?

A: I tend to start/stop subscriptions all the time. There was a time I was subscribed to 25-30 a month. Once I noticed my stock was building up too much, I decided to slow down. I now try to limit to no more than five current subscriptions. I do try to have a mix of household items & beauty. I'm currently on a Disney kick, and I'm getting Mickey Monthly and Bibbidi boxes and I'm loving them both. I'm also currently receiving Cate and Chloe, and that's one I've put in rotation many times over the years. FabFitFun is the subscription I've been subscribed to the longest, and I'll never give that one up.

L: What advice do you have for new swappers who are just getting started? What pieces of swap etiquette should they know? 

A: This really is a great community. I would say be responsive, communicative, and ship as soon as you are able to. Always let the swapper know if something gets in the way of completing the swap. Also, recognize that life happens to everyone, and be patient with the person on the other end when something doesn't go as planned. Most swappers will go out of their way to make a swap right when something arrives damaged or they sent the wrong item. And pay attention to RV, which is something to help guide if it's a fair swap. It's not the only thing people look at, but just be aware if you are asking for a high-value household item but only have a few makeup items on your profile, you are unlikely to get a successful swap. In those cases, it's worth saving it on your follows and keeping an eye on it to try at a later time. If you have your eye on something, it is worth trying for. I'm a swapper with a lot of stock right now, so I'm pretty generous with my swaps and I'm not overly concerned with an equal value, especially for makeup and beauty products. I do pay a little closer attention to high-in-demand items, but otherwise, I would rather send items to someone who can use them rather than let them expire in my closet. I've also been known to check people's follows just to see if there is anything else I can throw in.

Thanks so much, Angie, for taking the time to speak with me about Swaps. I really appreciate it!

Now, I want to hear from YOU. Are you an active swapper who'd like to share your swapping stories, tips, and tricks? Get in touch at [email protected].

Have a swap-related story to share? Or a question about Swaps? Drop a note in the comments section below! Eager to start swapping? Sign up here.