New categories for swapping are now available at Switchouse.com. Formally known as SwapRat.com, the site has changed its name and has also expanded. Originally focusing as a catalog-based online swapping service for music, the site has grown with some new categories that include video games, movies, and books.

"We've taken an old transaction style of swaps and barter and we've reinvented it for the Internet," Michael Lin, CEO and founder told AW today.

Founded in July 1999, Switchouse, has set its task as "Paving the way for a new category of person-to-person e-commerce." Although swapping isn't yet as popular as auctions, Lin said that swaps and auctions should live side by side. "We show the supply and demand numbers for items so people can see if it's to valuable to swap," Lin explained. "Auctions are great for hard to find items and collectibles. Those are the items that you tend to find the outrageous bids on."

However, outrageous bids aren't an issue with durable entertainment goods such as non-collectible music CDs, video games, movies and books. They lose much of their resale value after leaving store shelves. But that's an advantage according to Manni Radara, a graphic artist by day, and regular swapper at Switchouse.

"So far in about 60 days I've completed over 40 trades and I've got ten in the queue," Radara said. His main interest is movie sound tracks and the ability to swap them has really accelerated his collection, which he estimates at close to 300 CDs. "I'm a music lover, and this is my form of day trading," he said.

The site also includes some convenient information choices including Most Wanted, Most Available, and New Listings. Switchouse is not alone in the online swapping category, as sites such as Trade-N-Swap.com, WebSwap,, Tradeaway and Intellibarter are utilizing the same barter method. Lin sees the method growing into the next big person-to-person commerce industry. Part of the attraction, according to Lin comes from swapping's friendly nature.

"The experience is much more cooperative," said Lin. "Swaps are reciprocal transactions. You get something and your swapping partner gets something that each of you wants more. It's a win win, not a competition to see who can get the best in the deal."