Frequently asked questions

Is BookSwap free to use?

Yes — completely free for both buyers and sellers. BookSwap charges no commission on sales. The only fee deducted is Stripe's payment processing fee (~1.5% + CHF 0.30), which covers the cost of secure payment infrastructure.

How do I pay for a book?

Priced listings can be paid securely through BookSwap using Stripe — which supports TWINT, all major credit and debit cards, and Apple Pay. Simply click "Buy now" on any listing and you will be guided through checkout. Free listings are arranged directly with the seller via message.

What if there's a problem with my order?

Contact the seller directly — most issues are resolved that way. If something is clearly wrong (item not as described, no response), use the Report button on the listing. We review all reports.

Can I list books in any language?

Yes. We support German, French, Italian, English, Romansh, and dozens more languages including Spanish, Japanese, Arabic, and many others.

How does the ISBN lookup work?

Enter the ISBN printed on the back of your book and we automatically fetch the title, author, and cover from Open Library or Google Books. No typing needed.

Is my email address shared with buyers?

Only when you choose to respond. When a buyer contacts you, we forward their message to your email. Your address is not shown on your public profile.

Can I upload photos of my book?

Yes — you can upload a cover photo plus up to 4 additional photos showing the actual condition of the book. Buyers can see all photos on the listing page.

Can I sell multiple books together as a bundle?

Yes. When creating or editing a listing, tick 'This is a bundle / lot', enter how many books are included, and use the description to list the titles. The listing will be shown with a Bundle badge so buyers can spot it easily.

How do I request a bundle deal from a seller?

Go to any seller's public profile. You'll see a small circle button on each listing card — select 2 or more books you want together, then click 'Request bundle'. A message window opens where you can suggest a combined price or add any note. The seller receives your request in their messages and can reply directly.

How do saved searches and alerts work?

Run a search on the Search page, then click 'Save this search for alerts' (visible when logged in). Give it a name and save it. From then on, whenever a seller lists a new book that matches your filters (keyword, genre, language, condition, canton), you'll receive an email notification with a direct link to the listing. You can view and delete your saved searches at any time from your profile.

How do I delete my account?

Go to Profile → Edit profile → scroll to the bottom → Danger zone → Delete my account. This permanently removes all your data, listings, and photos.

When will a mobile app be available?

A React Native app for iOS and Android is planned for a future phase. For now the site works great on mobile browsers.

Is it safe to pay through BookSwap?

Yes. All payments are processed by Stripe — one of the world's most trusted payment processors. Your card details are never shared with the seller or stored on BookSwap. Stripe uses bank-level encryption and fraud detection on every transaction.

How does the seller receive their money?

Sellers connect their bank account once via Stripe (a secure, Stripe-hosted process). When a buyer pays, the money is transferred directly to the seller's bank account within 3–5 business days. BookSwap never holds your money.

What payment methods are accepted?

Buyers can pay with TWINT, all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex), and Apple Pay. The payment page is hosted by Stripe and adapts to your device and location automatically.