Meeting up
- Choose public, familiar places. Practice fields, games, school pickup, or a busy parking lot are all better than an unfamiliar private address.
- Bring someone with you. Exchanges at a game or practice you're already attending are ideal - there's no extra trip and you're around people you know.
- Daylight hours are best. If you're coordinating a drop-off or meetup, aim for daytime.
- Trust your gut. If anything about a message or meetup request feels off, it's okay to decline or ask to reschedule somewhere more comfortable.
Shipping instead of meeting up
- If you'd rather not meet in person, local shipping is always an option - agree on it in your exchange messages first.
- Consider using a shipping label with tracking so both sides know when gear is on its way.
Protecting your personal information
- Keep detailed conversations - exact addresses, phone numbers, school names - inside the site's messaging until you've agreed on a plan you're comfortable with.
- You don't need to share more than a general area or zip code to arrange a nearby exchange.
- Only give out precise meeting details once you've agreed on a time, place, and who's coming.
Checking gear before you go
- Review listing photos and condition notes ahead of time, and ask questions before you request if anything's unclear.
- At the exchange, take a quick look at the item together before parting ways.
Trust signals to look for
- Check a member's review history and rating before agreeing to an exchange.
- Leave an honest review after every exchange - it helps the next family and keeps the whole community trustworthy.
Something feel wrong?
If a listing, message, or meetup ever makes you uncomfortable, you can decline at any time. Use Report a listing to flag a specific listing, or reach out through Contact us for anything else. If you ever feel your immediate safety is at risk, contact local authorities first.