| Bartering is not a new concept. It's been around | | | | vacation becoming a reality. |
| probably for as long as man has walked the earth. | | | | However, given the current proliferation of barter |
| In fact, long before money existed people traded | | | | exchange websites for consumers, Rachel seized |
| goods for services or services for other services. | | | | upon an idea. She advertised her husband Ted's |
| That's how commerce took place. | | | | professional accounting services in exchange for |
| Today, bartering is as popular as it has ever been, | | | | lodging for 3 or 4 nights in a Cape Cod hotel, |
| particularly among small businesses that are often | | | | motel or similar kind of lodging. The posting |
| strapped for cash. The internet features | | | | appeared on Craigslist and, as a result, Rachel and |
| hundreds, perhaps even thousands, of barter | | | | Ted will be able to enjoy their Cape Cod vacation |
| exchange websites that have been set up to help | | | | - cost-free. |
| small, struggling businesses survive and even | | | | There are, of course, thousands of other |
| thrive by providing a way for them to access | | | | examples of successful swaps or barter |
| needed goods or services they might not | | | | exchanges between consumers in which each |
| otherwise be able to afford. | | | | party to the exchange ended up a winner. In fact, |
| The owner of a shoe store may trade a pair of | | | | each year, as summer ends and fall arrives - |
| loafers to the dentist for a check-up and a teeth | | | | along with the beginning of a new school year -- |
| whitening treatment if both are members of the | | | | many hard-pressed moms are able to trade a |
| same barter exchange and have access to one | | | | coveted service for school uniforms for their |
| another. An interior decorator may barter her | | | | school-age kids. That, of course, saves a costly |
| professional service for a pair of stylish earrings | | | | trip to the clothing store. Parents and older kids, |
| and the transaction, without the exchange of any | | | | especially those already in college, enjoy trading |
| money, will be helpful to both businesses. | | | | for school textbooks which any advanced student |
| But bartering is not exclusive to small businesses. | | | | knows tends to be alarmingly expensive. |
| It is also commonplace today among ordinary | | | | Clearly, barter works as well for individual |
| consumers - private citizens. That's because the | | | | consumers as it does for small businesses. And, |
| depressed economic climate has left many people | | | | as is true for small businesses, the consumer who |
| short of funds, without employment or facing | | | | engages in bartering meets many new friends |
| other hardships. Many regular folks just don't have | | | | (businesspeople meet and get many new |
| the money needed to buy the goods or services | | | | customers) ... enjoys a transaction in which he or |
| they want or need. But, they often have | | | | she almost always wins ... and develops a pastime |
| something they can trade. | | | | (or habit) that often turns into a compelling |
| Barter exchange websites exist for consumers, | | | | passion. |
| too. And every day more and more people with | | | | There is more for ordinary consumers to like |
| access to computers are joining these websites | | | | about bartering, as well. It provides a real |
| and taking full advantage of the opportunities that | | | | opportunity to move and rid yourself of old, |
| exist on them. In fact, online communities like | | | | dust-collecting items (just as would happen if you |
| Craigslist and Swap Thing provide environments | | | | conducted a yard sale) ... enjoy the true fun that |
| that encourage members to trade goods and | | | | comes from trading (you'll be like a "kid in a candy |
| services without any movement of money. Not a | | | | store") ... and, of course, when you trade or |
| single dime changes hands. | | | | barter, you save money. That is particularly |
| These websites are adding members daily ... lots | | | | meaningful now, in these difficult economic times. |
| of them. Just recently, Craigslist had a whopping | | | | What's more, you may also be able to acquire |
| 142,000 postings offering everything for | | | | goods that you've always wanted, but could |
| exchange except the kitchen sink. And it's actually | | | | never afford (such as expensive, if slightly-used, |
| possible that was available, as well. | | | | luxury items, including clothing and jewelry, exotic |
| Swap Thing is even more engaged. It generally | | | | vacations or great electronic merchandise for |
| has up to a phenomenal 35 million listings of | | | | your home)... or services, including health or |
| everything from school clothes to school books ... | | | | cosmetic care and treatment ... or professional |
| vacations to home rentals ... labor for merchandise | | | | services, such as accounting, tax returns, even |
| ... and on and on and on. | | | | legal advice just because you're a member of a |
| Does it really work for people who commit | | | | website exchange community=2 0and you're |
| themselves to the idea? The answer is a | | | | willing to give up something to get something in |
| resounding yes, particularly in these | | | | return - with absolutely no exchange of cash. |
| economically-depressed times when money | | | | So now you need to ask yourself: is bartering |
| problems are common in many households. | | | | something that I can enjoy and profit from? If |
| Consider the case of a woman I will call Rachel | | | | you're like millions of other people, the answer is |
| (not her real name). She and her husband Ted | | | | probably yes. And even if you are someone who |
| (not his real name, either) live in a Midwestern city | | | | stands apart from the crowd, the answer is still |
| and have always dreamed of vacationing in Cape | | | | likely to be yes. Bartering is a social experience ... |
| Cod. For Rachel, in particular, it's been a lifelong | | | | and generally quite enjoyable for those who |
| dream. And Rachel and Ted were finally going to | | | | participate in it. In all likelihood, it is something you |
| realize that dream ... until they found out that | | | | will enjoy for its social aspects and profit from, as |
| decent lodging in the area would cost about $200 | | | | well, because it will enable you to acquire needed |
| a night, somewhat beyond their vacation budget. | | | | goods and services without the use of your |
| In most cases, that shortness of available cash | | | | hard-earned money. |
| would absolutely squelch any chance of the | | | | |