7 Keys to Smart Bartering

As the economy continues to slump, the swap business booms

By Emily Brandon

Posted: June 10, 2008

Get creative. "This summer people are doing a lot of house swaps just to be able to afford to go on vacation," says Hardwick of SwapThing, although she'll stick to swapping books this year. Furniture, computer services, hypnosis, cabinetry, hair cutting and color services, and riding lessons have all been bartered online, in addition to the more typical movies and CDs, without the need to put expenses on your credit card. "The barter category is sort of adventuresome. People like to think outside the box more than in other categories," says Buckmaster of Craigslist. "It is a little more creative than cash transactions, and people do let their imagination run wild."

Home Exchanging Is the Quintessential Barter

Having exchanged my two vacation rental properties on Sanibel Island, Florida, I can say from personal experience that with the right combination of factors, bartering between vacation rental owners can result in some terrific "bargains".

But until now, exchanges, like vacation rentals themselves, have been a trifle iffy.

Second Porch, a new Facebook application takes out some of the guess work. On Second Porch, an vacation home owner, rental or not, actually gets to know who is inquiring of their property and vice versa.

The single most important factor in bartering homes is trust. This new social media application, Second Porch, provides that trust and the property owner can go from there.

Sylvia of NJ @ Nov 02, 2009 23:55:50 PM

another barter site

theglobaltradeexchange.com is a wonderful site full of items and services etc...I have had excellent luck with it so far, and It has over 93 million visitors at a time,no joke.....

Marillian M. Teague of FL @ Sep 11, 2009 03:13:05 AM

Bartering is free and fun!

I think bartering will be alternate way of getting things before considering buying. I can trade before spending money. I recommend http://barterquest.com in case if you are looking for online barter and site is free. My experiences with other users are more then positive so far! I think bartering is a great way to save!

Julie Bishop of NY @ Aug 20, 2009 16:56:26 PM

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