meeting notes, podcasts and resources
Discussion: Is it time for a trade and barter system?
The financial news has not been good in the last few weeks. Honestly, I understand a little about how panic is spreading, people are selling and the government is trying to flood the economy with more money they don’t have. But I am not an economist, a financial planner or an accountant, so I don’t know exactly what this all means. I just know it’s not good and we are going to have to spend some time digging ourselves back out of this.
I also know that my clients, friends and family are all feeling the pinch. Purchasing is at an all-time low for us. How badly does my family need this? What can I live without right now? It’s a lean and mean budget we are sporting these days.
So in this time of frugalness, and as I meet more fellow sisters, I have found myself trading services and products more often. Of course, all of this has to be put on the books as income, but the freedom to actually talk to someone to work out a trade instead of paying them is actually working quite well. When it’s stuff I need and not frivolous.
So many of you have asked if Sostane could find a way to create a barter and trade system within our group. A very good idea and I am all for exploring the idea on how it could work. At this very moment, you are all welcome to contact each other and see if that would be an option. We could add an icon to all member profiles who want to partake in barter or trading. In terms of being responsible for parties who do not fulfill their end of the deal? For now, that is going to be entirely up to you; ie a contract, a mediator or a lawyer. A simple contract and getting it down on paper can do wonders…
We are in no way endorsing or recommending these web sites below, but this is what we have found so far.
LocalBucks
seaVu
BizXchange and a BizJournal on them
ITEX Seattle
Craigs List
UsedEverywhere.com
Freecycle.org
Community Harvest of Southwest Seattle
Solid Ground
Lettuce Link
Seattle blogger barters for art and the stories behind the pieces, by the Seattle Times
Community Currency, by Seattle Wiki
Solid Ground’s Food Resources Programs Connect Community Surplus With Community Need, by WorldChanging
Do you know of any others? What has worked for you? Have you had a bad experience with them? Please leave your thoughts on the subject.
6 Comments so far
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Trade tightens the feeling of community, for me. We traded with a customer, our product (printer cartridges) for their product (dining) for our 2nd anniversary last year. It made for a great experience several levels, including a better understanding of our customer’s business. Barter means that you get to do more of what you already love to do, and at the same time promote the growth of another business you support.
I have heard that these barter systems can work well, but personally, I prefer a much less formal system. I’d rather just have someone ask me if I’m willing to trade something and be prepared for me to say no or to negotiate. And I like to do the same. In fact, one of the basic tenets of our lives (Corey and me) is doing as much as we can to support other people in their endeavors which building our own lives and businesses. We’ve found great success simply by asking if people want to do something such as contribute products to our book giveaways. If they see the value, they’ll do it, if not, they won’t and that’s fine. I’m not saying that formal systems don’t work because they do, just that for me, personally, I’d rather just handle it myself.
About all I know about this financial mess our country (and now the world?) seems to be in is…it’s not good and it will take time for us to climb out of….but I have no doubt we will recover. It will just take time and patience.
I am all for bartering and in fact have bartered with several people in the past.
I think it would be a cool idea if there was some sort of ‘barter’ icon alongside each companies profile so we can see at a glance who will barter.
Most of our bartering has just come from direct contact so I have no experience with active bartering websites.
I love bartering. It would be great if we could barter for more things – like, say, cars! Actually, the co-housing concept where small communities share large items appeals more. My biggest concern with bartering within our current economic system is that there will be a demand by the IRS to pay taxes on barters – not sure how, but that will kill the whole concept!
Co-housing communities share a great deal more than large items. They also share meetings, conflict resolution, interpersonal politics, and to a large extent, personal space. It can work very well, but requires something of a monoculture in terms of cummunication style, values, and approach to conflict. It doesn’t work well for everyone.
On the other hand, I think there’s a lot of potential for neighborhoods to share large items without all the complexities of co-housing. I tend to park my push-mower in front of my house and tell everyone they’re welcome to borrow it as long as they bring it back. Some people have actually taken me up on it. Another option is having large items owned by some type of community center.
My understanding of the legalities of barter is admittedly shaky. However, I *think* if you create a barter currency, you owe taxes on it. If you’re doing a straight swap, you don’t.
Thanks for the wonderful comments everyone. I have now added “Open to Trade” icons to Sostane Member profiles who are open to considering it. If you are a member and would like me to add the icon to your profile, just let me know (sos@sostane.com).