Historical and Current Contexts of Bartering

Depending upon your cultural experience and history the term “barter” can elicit a number of scenes in your mind:

o a 19th century American frontier doctor accepting a chicken in trade for an office visit

o an Italian cobbler trading a shoe repair for a fabulous meal

o or maybe a Basque sheep herder trading a swatch of wool for a bottle of aged Tempranillo

Within our economic structure it has seemed, at least generally speaking, that bartering has been a thing of the past. Yet, the truth is that bartering never totally vanished from our socio-economic landscape. It just became less common and with our current global economic situation, bartering seems to be making a huge come back! » Read more: More Than a Recession Buster, Bartering For Better Business

When you hear the word ‘Barter’ do you instinctively think of two farmers trading a horse for a cow, or the likes of latter-day trappers carrying furs to a trading post to exchange them for food and provisions, or like millions of savvy business owners around the globe, do you think of a high-tech way of marketing your goods and services beyond your usual scope, and becoming more efficient in the process?

It’s strange that during my entire business education at university (and I was fortunate enough to be educated in some of the best business establishments in London, Munich and Florence)not once did the word nor concept of barter ever surface – even in economics. Strange, don’t you think, when barter was the foundation of all modern commerce? » Read more: Barter – An Introduction to the Oldest Marketing Tool for Business

Barter is becoming an increasingly popular method of commerce. The U.S. Department of Commerce estimates that 20 to 25% of world trade is now barter. Corporate barter is now a 20 billion dollar industry. It seems as though everyone from the big corporations on the New York Stock Exchange to small home-based businesses are jumping on the barter bandwagon.

I never thought about barter as a tool for building my businesses. That changed in April when I joined a local barter network in Vermont. For a small membership fee and a small commission on each trade, I now have access to almost 200 (and growing) local merchants’ products and services including everything from popular restaurants, to spa services, electricians, hotels, rental cars, landscapers, and yes, even flying or sailing lessons! » Read more: Can Barter Help Increase Cash Sales and Visability for Your Small Business?

Have you ever faced any of the following situations?
One: You need a lawyer but you don`t have the cash for
the retainer. Two: You have a warehouse full of
inventory that just isn`t moving. Three: Sales are
down and you need more customers.

Each of the above problems might be alleviated by
bartering. » Read more: Barter Your Way to Profits

Don’t despair that prices of goods keep increasing, and you are having a hard time keeping up with your daily living expenses. Some people are starting to be creative and finding other ways to acquire things they need without robbing the bank. Most are doing what our forefathers have done in the past, with some twinge of Internet technology – the age old practice of bartering. Most people are now conducting barter trades by joining online barter clubs.

Recent statistics show that bartering is becoming more popular, with over a $1 billion worth of transactions conducted in 2008. Most of these are done by companies, who are either trying to dispose of their excess inventories, or simply trying to improve their cash flow by not paying cash for some of the things they need. » Read more: Easy Bartering Through Online Barter Clubs

No, this article is not going to teach you how to exchange your goats with your neighbor’s chickens, although that may not be such a bad idea anymore, during these desperate times. This is a simple guide for those who are rediscovering the value of barter trading, which is making a comeback because of the economic benefits that people get out of it.

Bartering, as many of us know, is the act of exchanging goods or services without using money. Modern day bartering can now be done through the Internet, via online barter clubs which act as trading portals. People who want the ease and functionality of a website can join these barter clubs, find good deals, and get the deal done using trade dollars. This is an online currency that determines the value of the thing or service being traded, making it easier for the members to decide on the things they would want to barter. » Read more: 5 Tips to Succeed In Bartering

The barter trade industry is becoming more and more appealing yet again not just for one-on-one transactions between individuals but for businesses as well. It makes for a good option that could seal amazing deals for win-win situations.

It is ironic that after starting as the only way to do business, bartering is now making a comeback. When money was invented, the barter trade took a back seat. In recent years, however, it never managed to stay at the back seat as people are getting highly interested to make it into another phenomenon. As global recession looms, barter exchange is starting to become a necessity rather than an option. » Read more: The Significance of Barter Exchange in the Business World

With bartering gaining in popularity as the economy continues its downturn, it’s entirely possible that you’ve decided that you’d like to give barter a try. Perhaps you have a skill that you know is worth something in trade. Alternatively, maybe you’ve just had a baby graduate to toddler-hood, and you’re dying to clean out the nursery and rid yourself of the extra clutter. The only problem is, you’ve never engaged in barter before and you have no idea where to begin in terms of pricing your goods or services. As with all new things, they seem difficult and intimidating until you know what you’re doing. After that, you’re in for smooth sailing. After learning a few basic rules about barter pricing, you’ll be ready to jump on the barter bandwagon and find out what all of your friends already know: barter is not only fun, it’s profitable! » Read more: Unlock the Secrets of Barter Pricing

When you exchange goods and or services without the use of money, you are bartering. Bartering is actually a very creative way to do business nowadays especially to help lower expenses. Most importantly you do not need to own a business to barter.

Due to the flexibility, barter trade has grown in popularity. It has evolved into a more sophisticated business module when compared to ancient times. However, the concept is still the same. You exchange goods and or services with something that you want or need. Unlike in the past when such trade is done directly, modern times have embraced a commercial platform for businesses to negotiate and trade. » Read more: 3 Reasons Why You Must Barter

Barter groups will tell you that they will bring in business that you probably wouldn’t get because of the geographic area they can cover. Which is pretty much physically impossible for you to do.

They’ll tell you that they can save you time… time training, time pounding the pavement, time managing the barter deals you make & time coming up with ways to spend your Barter dollars.

All of this is basically true. There are however, some things that you need to be aware of that may alter the effectiveness of a barter group. » Read more: Bartering With a Trade Group Or on My Own?