Getting Started with CrateMate

Welcome to CrateMate! This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get started with vinyl swapping.

Creating Your Account

Getting started is easy:

1. Click the Sign Up button in the top right corner
2. Enter your email and create a password
3. Fill in your profile details (location, bio, favorite genres)
4. Verify your email address

Setting Up Your Profile

A complete profile helps other collectors trust you:

• Add a profile photo - Profiles with photos get more swap requests
• Write a bio - Tell others about your collecting interests
• List your favorite genres - This helps match you with like-minded collectors
• Add your location - Important for calculating shipping

Listing Your First Record

Ready to add records to your collection?

1. Go to your profile and click Add Record
2. Fill in the details:
3. Artist name
4. Album title
5. Year of release
6. Condition (Mint, Near Mint, VG+, etc.)
7. Format (LP, 7", 12", etc.)
8. Upload a photo of your record
9. Add any notes about the pressing or condition
10. Click Save

Proposing Your First Swap

Found a record you want? Here's how to propose a swap:

1. Browse the Discover page or search for specific records
2. Click on a record you're interested in
3. Click Propose Swap
4. Select which of your records you'd like to offer
5. Add a message to the other collector
6. Submit your proposal

Tips for Successful Swapping

• Be accurate about condition - Honesty builds trust
• Respond promptly - Don't leave people waiting
• Pack carefully - Protect those records in transit
• Leave feedback - Help build the community

Need Help?

If you have questions, check out our [FAQ](/faq) or reach out through the [Feedback](/feedback) page.

Happy swapping!