Top Tips for Using Bookswap UK

For any bookworms with a bookcase that is, frankly, getting out of hand, there is a perfect UK website that has recently been absolutely bossing the game. Need to get rid of some old books? Want to swap them out for some newer titles? Then you'll find your newest bookish obsession with Bookswap UK.

Bookswap UK is a fantastic website that lets you swap your unwanted books for another's second-hand ones, simply by paying for postage. For every book you send, you get a point to use on a book for yourself - it's as easy as that! 1 point = 1 book for you! Curate a wishlist so that you can get notified when a particular book becomes available for swapping, and browse the most popular swapped books for a bit of inspiration. Books are easy to post out through Hermes, and its a brilliant and economical way to refresh your shelves!

@bookswapuk on Instagram
Photo credits: @catchmewritingwordy

For anyone new to the site, here are our top tips to help you get the most out of Bookswap UK:

1. Make a wishlist

This may sound like a really obvious place to start, but it's the best way for you to find the books that you really want. When you create a wishlist, you can get notified when someone puts one of those books up for swapping, so you can be sure that you'll swap a book that you really want to read.

2. Check for all versions of a certain title

When you're looking for a specific book, make sure that you search for a few different versions of it. That includes different covers, paperback vs hardback, and also any different versions of the title name that might be out there. For example, try searching without 'the' or 'a', if the title normally has a prefix.

3. Don't just get the first thing you see

It can be so tempting to just grab the first books that you see when you know you've got points to play with, especially when you first sign up. But that book might not be exactly what you're looking for - so hang back a second. Your book point isn't going anywhere, so it might be better to wait until something from your wishlist becomes available.

@betwixt.the.pages on Instagram

4. Fastest finger first!

When a book comes up as being available, its the fastest finger first who gets to nab it. So if you're really desperate for a certain title, make sure to turn your email notifications on! That way, when it gets listed, you'll find out straight away.

5. Check the condition

All the books that are listed as available to swap will have a tag for their condition. Just double check the additional comments that the book swapper may have put on in case there's something else you need to know about the state that the book is in (i.e. if it's never been read before, or if the spine is cracked).

6. Check the swapper

If you're ordering a book off someone, make sure to take a little look at their user rating to see how people have rated them in the past on reliability. You can also message anyone offering a book to find out a bit more about things like its condition (particularly if that's missing in the book's description). 

7. Buying points

If you don't have any book swapping points left, you can still buy the book - you just have to buy the point too. Its normally no more than £3.00, but remember that this is on top of postage - sometimes buying the book brand new can be cheaper, but it sort of defeats the point of swapping!

8. Use a referral link

If you haven't already signed up, then you can get an extra book swapping point by using a referral link - that's two free points instead of one just for signing up!

To use Ginge Reads’ referral code, click here.

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Bookswap UK currently only covers the United Kingdom, but according to their Instagram FAQ highlight, they are planning to expand. There may also be an app arriving in the future.

This is an incredible start-up which is not only better for your bank account, but better for the environment too. We cannot encourage you enough to get involved and start swapping books. Who knows what absolute bargains you might find!

Visit the website at: https://bookswap.co.uk

Note: this is not a paid advertisement for Bookswap UK, and Ginge Reads receives no benefits from this post - we simply love the site!