"How To Use Barter To Ride Out The Recession"

Rising unemployment and financial setbacks are pushing more Americans to get creative. They're increasingly turning to bartering, the most ancient form of commerce and the new currency of these tough economic times.

Most of the exchanges are made via the Internet. Postings on the bartering section of the Web site Craig's List have doubled in the past year.
Craig's List connects people who want to barter, says traffic is up nearly 200 percent.

These days a lot of people have time and skills but no money.
We come across people every day who know something that we do not know and have a certain skill or trade that we can certainly capitalize on.
Ads include everything from an attorney offering legal help for landscaping to an English teacher who will tutor for a carpet installation.

Bartering allows the 20-year business owner to hold on to cash, a precious commodity these days. They have found that Bartering is how we can ride out the recession.
"It seemed like a smart thing to do". Now there able to use these barter dollars to buy services they usually have to pay cash for. "It's not a cure-all, but it's a nice option to have."

More businesses are turning to bartering exchanges as the credit crisis has caused many traditional sources of business financing to dry up.
As a result, bartering exchanges are reporting significant increases in membership, as businesses look to take advantage of the age-old system of trading goods or services to generate credit that can be used for future transactions.
About 400,000 companies nationwide do business-to-business bartering, generating $4 billion in transactions annually, said the International Reciprocal Trade Association.

Some business owners are seeing the benefit in trading their goods or services instead of dealing in cash.
It's going back to the basics with bartering can help a business owner cut down on personal and business operating costs in a tight economy.

Whether you're trading services or goods, bartering can help out your bottom line and even help generate new customers.
This recession has caused people to be more open to thinking outside the box.

Another advantage is that businesses can use the barter exchange to find new customers and use excess capacity.
Not having to spend money in this kind of economy is a good thing.
Becoming a member of a barter club allows us to hold on to cash reserves while still getting the things we need for your business.

Economic downturn or recession, call it what you want things are looking pretty bleak. Big Business, Insurance Companies and Financiers have been bailed out. What has been forgotten in all of this? Small businesses owners. I contend that there is nothing “small” about these businesses!!

Small businesses are hurting now more than ever. There is no bail out in sight for these risk takers. Small business is the life blood of the economy and yet, sadly has received less than one percent of the current stimulus package. Did you receive yours?

There are, however, options available for the small business owners that could help.
Some businesses have joined what is known as a barter club or trade exchange.
A trade exchange is a facilitator and third party record-keeper for a select group of businesses that trade or barter their products or services instead of paying cash.

Many businesses are already bartering on a direct one-on-one basis. It is not always easy to arrange a direct trade. It depends on finding another business who is willing to trade and who has what you need and wants what you have. Sometimes you can get burned when products get delivered and nothing is received in return.

Belonging to a trade exchange eliminates both problems. The barter in an exchange is not a direct trade. Bartering through a trade exchange is perfectly legitimate, and a reputable exchange will not allow illegal transactions.

If your business is feeling the crunch of these economic times, hunkering down and riding out the storm won’t help. Be proactive. Give us a call and we’ll gladly meet with you to discuss some options that may increase your branding and your sales while saving you cash.


"It's something to take a look at because it's a smart way to stretch the budget in an otherwise tight economy."

Please call or email us for more information, we would love to help.