New on Colombia Move: “Trade-in accepted” and fast-responding sellers

Quick answer: starting today you can mark your sales ad on Colombia Move with “Accept swap” and write what you would receive (for example, “motorcycle of lower value + difference”). Buyers see it as a label on the ad and can filter only for ads with a swap at /buscar?permuta=1. Additionally, sellers who respond quickly via the site's chat now show a badge “Responds in ~N min” on search cards.

These are two small screen changes, but they address two things that weigh heavily when buying used items in Colombia: “Will they accept my item as part of payment?” y “Does this seller actually reply?”.

What is “Accept swap” and where does it appear

In Colombia, a swap (permuta) is a common way to negotiate: car for car, motorcycle plus difference, a high-end cell phone for a simpler one plus cash, even a house for an apartment. The Civil Code (article 1955) defines it as a contract in which the parties are obligated to give one thing for another. Until today, in most classifieds, the only way to say it was to write “I accept swaps” in the description and hope someone would read it.

Now it is an ad field:

• When posting or editing a sales ad, turn on the switch “Accept swap”. If you want, complete “What would you receive?” with a short line (up to 140 characters).
• On the ad card the label 🔄 appears Accepts swap in search results.
• In the ad, right below the price, you see the label with your note: “Accepts swap · motorcycle of lower value + difference”.
• In search, the filter “Only ads that accept swaps” leaves only those ads. It works with any other filter: city, price, category.

It only applies to sales ads. Rentals, jobs, and services do not show it, because it does not make sense there.

Ready-made searches for buyers

If you have something to give as part of payment, start here:

• Cars that accept swaps
• Motorcycles that accept swaps
• Cell phones that accept swaps
• Computers that accept swaps
• Everything that accepts swaps

If there is nothing in your city today, create a search alert for that category and we will notify you when someone posts something new.

How to make a swap without surprises

The label says the seller is open to a trade. It does not replace checking what you receive. Before closing:

1. Vehicles: check both cars or motorcycles on the RUNT, request an expert inspection (peritaje), and confirm that neither has a lien or seizure. We have a guide on expert inspection for buying or selling a used car and another one on vehicles with liens or seizures. The transfer for each vehicle is done before the transit authority; calculate the cost with the transfer calculator.
2. Cell phones: check the IMEI of both devices on the official CRC inquiry (imeicolombia.com.co) before swapping. More details on selling a used cell phone and the IMEI.
3. Real Estate: a real estate swap is formalized via a public deed at a notary. Verify both property registry records (folios de matrícula); we explain how in verifying real estate registration at the SNR.
4. The difference in money: put it in writing, with the value each party gives to their item. Avoid handing over cash on the street; if it is in cash, check the bills (how to identify counterfeit bills).
5. Meet in a safe place and in daylight. For vehicles, it is better at an inspection workshop or at the transit office itself.

New badge: “Responds in ~N min”

The other novelty is for buyers tired of writing and not receiving an answer. When a seller replies quickly via Colombia Move chat, their cards in search results show a green badge with their typical response time: “Responds in ~15 min”, “Responds in ~2h”.

How it is calculated, no fine print:

• We look at the most recent conversations the seller has received in their ads and measure the time between the buyer's first message and the seller's first response.
• We use the median, not the average, so that a late response after a long holiday weekend doesn't penalize someone who almost always answers in minutes.
• Are needed at least 2 conversations to display the data, and the calculation updates every hour.
• It only appears on cards when the typical response time is less than a day. The full data is visible in the shop and on the seller's profile.
• Only site chat counts. We don't see WhatsApp or call responses, so they don't count for or against you.

For sellers: how to earn the badge

Respond via the Colombia Move chat, even if you continue the conversation on WhatsApp later. A “Hi! Yes, it’s available, would you like to see it?” in the first few minutes already counts. Turn on message notifications so you don't miss anything. Once you have two answered conversations, the badge will appear automatically at the next update.

And if you accept trades, turn it on: it’s already in the posting form, and for an ad you already have, go to My ads → Edit. A buyer with a car to offer as part of the payment filters by trade and finds you, not the seller who left it hidden in the description.

Looking for more marketplace news? Also check out the new AI features for posting and buying.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to activate “I accept trades”?

Nothing. It’s a free field in the ad, just like the condition or price, and it doesn’t change the cost of posting. Since September 2026, it appears in the posting form and when editing any sale ad you already have active.

Is it safe to trade with someone I met on the marketplace?

It can be if you check what you are receiving with the same care as if you were buying it. Check vehicles on the RUNT and with a technical inspection, check mobile phone IMEIs on the CRC website, and verify real estate property deeds. Always meet in a busy public place during the day.

Where do I activate trades on an ad I already posted?

Go to My ads, open the ad and tap Edit. There you will see the “I accept trade” switch and the “What would you receive?” field, with space for a 140-character line. It only appears on sale ads, not on rentals, jobs, or services.

Am I obligated to accept any trade offered to me?

No. The label only says you are open to negotiating a trade; you decide what you accept and under what conditions. To avoid receiving offers that don't suit you, write in “What would you receive?” what you are interested in, for example “motorcycle of lower value plus difference”.

How is the “Responds in ~N min” badge calculated?

Since September 2026, we calculate it using the median time between the buyer's first message and the seller's first response in their most recent conversations. We use the median rather than the average so that one late response after a holiday doesn’t penalize someone who almost always replies in minutes.

Why don't I see my response time on the cards?

Because you need at least two conversations answered via the site chat and, on the cards, it only shows if your typical response time is less than one day. The data is recalculated every hour, and responses via WhatsApp or phone calls are not included in the calculation.