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Maxwell Shukuya is a California-based writer covering tech, travel, product reviews, and personal finance. Based in California, his work has previously been featured in Capital Public Radio, Submerge Magazine, and City on a Hill Press.
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If you limit yourself to Reddit’s front page, you’d think that the site was only for silly videos, lewd discussions, and lukewarm politics. And that’s not far from the truth. But if you know where to look, Reddit is also a thriving internet bazaar, where users can buy, sell, and swap luxury fountain pens, fine teas, liquid-cooled graphics cards, and computers.
These niche Reddit marketplaces can be overwhelming. But as someone who purchased their laptop from r/HardwareSwap four years ago (yes, the laptop is still chugging along), I think Reddit is one of the most underrated secondhand marketplaces online. Without going through the subreddit’s entire bloated wiki (there’s too much to cover), I’ll explain what r/HardwareSwap is, how to use it, and how I bought my computer there for just $500.
What Is r/HardwareSwap?
Like other Reddit marketplaces, r/HardwareSwap is a forum where users can buy, sell, and swap technology, including computer components, gaming consoles, smartphones, laptops, and headphones. If you have an old MacBook lying around, you could make a post seeking a buyer. Similarly, buyers can tell the community what they’re looking for. The only reason the marketplace doesn’t descend into chaos is that there are strict rules and a third-partyfeedback system called Heatware. In the sections that follow, I’ll explain the subreddit’s basics along with my experience as a buyer.
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Photo credit: CheapismHow Does r/HardwareSwap Work?
Don’t let the subreddit’s daunting wiki discourage you. At its core, the system is fairly simple. Redditors who want to buy or sell hardware post a detailed listing and wait for other users to express interest. Once you’ve decided to make your sale or purchase, the transaction is made over PayPal, which offers buyer and seller protections.
Navigating the Subreddit
When I was looking for a computer, I made my own “buying” post and also checked the subreddit daily for suitable laptops. But since Reddit isn’t designed for shopping, it’s not always easy to find what you’re looking for. The best you can do is sort by the “Buying” or “Selling” flair or use the search function. Either way, you’re going to do a lot of digging. It doesn’t help that post titles are clunky and unintuitive, though you’ll begin to appreciate the standardizationonce you get used to the format.
Contacting a Buyer or Seller
After you’ve found a suitable buyer or seller, you’ll send them a private message and leave a comment to let them know you’ve contacted them directly. The Redditor I contacted was quite polite and responsive. He answered my questions and even provided proof that the computer had recently been repaired.
Making the Purchase or Sale
You’ll buy or sell the product using PayPal’s invoice function. And assuming everything goes well, you’ll confirm the purchase or sale and leave feedback. In my experience, everything went smoothly. And despite some trepidation I had about buying a used laptop — one that had been repaired once, no less — it continues to run without issue.
Related:Don't Make These 11 Mistakes the Next Time You Go Thrifting
What Are the Other Reddit Marketplaces?
While I've only used r/HardwareSwap, Reddit has countless marketplaces, many of which cater to niche interests. Some of the most popular ones include:
r/AppleSwap: buy, sell, and trade Apple products
r/MakeupExchange: buy, sell, and trade makeup and skincare products
r/PenSwap: buy, sell, and trade luxury pens
r/BookExchange: trade books (no buying or selling)
r/TeaExchange: buy, sell, and trade tea
r/GameSale: buy and sell video games for consoles
r/GameSwap: trade games
r/GearTrade: buy, sell, and trade outdoor gear
The Bottom Line
It’s not easy to buy or sell something on Reddit. You have to read through boring wikis, navigate the site’s clunky user interface, and trust that some random person on the internet won’t rip you off. But if you’re willing to put in the work, you can make some extra cash and find rare deals on well-maintained used goods. In my case, I spent just $500 on a used laptop that still works well four years later— a great deal, considering similar machines sell for over $1,000.
Just remember to follow three rules: Read the wiki, be patient, and exercise caution.
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