How trade value and cash differences work on TBBN

Every item that can be traded has a trade value — what it's worth in a swap. When you build an offer, TBBN compares the trade value of what you want with the trade value of what you're offering, so you can see whether it's an even swap or who owes the difference.

How an item's trade value is worked out

When someone lists an item for trade they set three amounts:

Price — what the item is worth to them.
Asking extra — cash they'd want on top in a swap.
Willing to add — cash they'd add on top in a swap.

Trade value = Price + Asking extra − Willing to add

The listing page shows the result as Trade value.

How your offer is valued

Your offer value = the trade value of each item you offer + any cash you add on top.

The Build your swap panel then shows:

Even swap — the two sides are worth the same.
You still owe an amount — your side is worth less; add cash on top or another item.
[The other person] owes you an amount — your side is worth more.

Examples

An even swap. Your board game is listed at $40. Their headphones are listed at $40. Neither of you set Asking extra or Willing to add. Both trade values are $40 — an even swap, no cash needed.

Covering a difference with cash. Your item: $80. The item you want: $100. With no other adjustments, the difference is $20. Add $20 under Add cash on top and it becomes an even swap.

Asking extra. A bike is listed at $150 with Asking extra $30, so its trade value is $180. Offering your $150 scooter leaves You still owe $30.

Willing to add. A camera is listed at $300 with Willing to add $50, so its trade value is $250. The owner is saying they'd take a $250 item for it.

Several items. You offer a $60 jacket and a $45 pair of boots for a $100 watch: your offer value is $105, so [the owner] owes you $5 — or you simply call it close enough.

Store trades: other charges

When a store is involved, its checkout may add taxes, delivery or other store charges on top of the value difference. You see them at that store's checkout before you pay. Always read the checkout, hold, delivery and return terms before you confirm.

Common questions

Who decides the price? The person listing the item. TBBN doesn't value items for you.

Is the difference paid through TBBN? No. In a person-to-person swap you settle any difference between yourselves when you meet. In a store trade it's part of the store's checkout.

Can I offer cash only? No — a swap offer must include at least one of your own items.