South Orange Maplewood's Old-Fashioned Online Swap Meet

Need a child's plastic pool? Have a couch that needs to go?   Swap Meet SO-Ma is the way to go. It's an old-fashioned idea -- swap what you don't want for what you do -- that meets social media.

The swap meet Facebook page is, according to the description posted by group organizer Kristen Tyler of South Orange, a place to "Swap, Buy, Sell, Give away, post curb alerts and more for Maplewood/ South Orange Residents and neighbors. Local FreeBay!"

Swap/Meet SOMa has seen plenty of giving and getting. Kid stuff is plentiful, from wooden tracks to full-sized outdoor climbing toys. However, household items and clothing also pop up as giveaways, and most members of the group arrange for pickup online.

This Patch editor recently offered a table and two chairs.  Nancy Janow had another, similar table and was happy to have a set. The transaction was completed in a matter of hours.

"I love doing this," says frequent swapper Mary. "It's such an easy way to make sure stuff that's still good stays in the community. I hope everyone will give it a try."

The Facebook group is "open."