Five Boroughs Clothing Swap

I’ve been a longtime swapper in the Five Boroughs Clothing Swap Meetup group. And you have to know how to swap in order to make the most of these events. So if you see something you like, grab it. Well, preferably not out of someone’s hands (it’s happened). But be quick and decisive. Like a swap ninja. Another thing is you can’t always expect to bring home as many good things as you bring. My rule of thumb is don’t bring items to a swap unless you are absolutely ready to part with them. I’ve never been to one of the «Tags On» swaps, but when I volunteer with check-​in for the regular swaps, I always encourage people who bring quality items with the tags on to take them to Buffalo Exchange and make some money!

DO NOT GO TO THESE SWAPS!
I paid the $ 8 entrance fee and went to today’s «Tags On Swap». All of the items I brought had tags on, except for a dress that was in pristine unworn condition. My items, despite their brand new condition, were only given 1 and 2 points out of a 3 point system at check-​in. Naturally, I assumed that all the other items must be in just as new or even better than my items. Why else would my brand new items get 1 or 2 points?
However, the other items were appalling. Less than 50% had tags. Not only did they not have tags, they were not even close to being new looking. How can those items get 2 or even 3 points? The system is totally unfair. If the swap is meant to be for just couple of friends, say it! Don’t open up a meetup group and charge people money for it. There was absolutely nothing that was worth swapping.
Most of the items I put down disappeared within seconds, because they are so new. Everything else was a joke. There were worn shoes, a pair of party sunglasses, a free gift watch from a motor club, and an one-​piece bathing suit without the hygiene protection slip. How can anyone call it a «Tags On Swap» and ask for money in order to participate?
What was also outrageous was that, while perfectly fine clothing gets 1 point or 2, the organizer gave a plain translucent purple slip 3 points. Everything about the swap is very unfair and it’s all up the whims of those who sit at the check-​in/​out area.
Besides the organizer, the other participants don’t seem to care that it’s a «Tags On Swap». They brought in all these old and odd things and would get the same points as someone who really treats it as a «Tags On Swap». And then they would quickly grab up the few actually new items. Swaps should not be about who can bring in the cheapest item and trade up the most. Unfortunately, this is what this meetup group is about, which means the selection was awful. Only people who brought the worse items can perceive the experience as fun.
I ended up leaving with what I could get of my things. So I basically paid $ 8 in order to donate half of my clothes to a Meetup group. Donate your clothes elsewhere; you won’t have to pay to do so.
SAVE YOUR CLOTHES, TIME, AND MONEY! IT’S NOT WORTH IT!