Has bartering worked for you and do you barter often?

[hightechrex]

Is the bartering system still alive and well? Do people still do it? In what instances have you bartered with success? Would you suggest it, and if so why or why not?

I ask this, because I feel it would help me keep my costs down. Maybe I can save a couple bucks on uniforms, office supplies, equipment, software, etc by bartering with willing parties.

 

[bertie40]

In my time I've traded my services for a Spanish guitar and a leather vibrating chair (plus stool). I still have them.

I play a wicked Eric Clapton on that chair. I can't play the guitar to save my life.

One of my current customers is in the plumbing trade, so I hoping to negotiate a deal concerning my failing boiler.

 

[hightechrex]

In my time I've traded my services for a Spanish guitar and a leather vibrating chair (plus stool). I still have them.

I play a wicked Eric Clapton on that chair. I can't play the guitar to save my life.

One of my current customers is in the plumbing trade, so I hoping to negotiate a deal concerning my failing boiler.

As we speak, I'm in the process of bartering promotional t-shirts for my business. I want to have 24 made. I'm gonna try and see If I can convert it into a maintenance contract. He has a real big office and has quite a few slow computers in there. He also needs a wireless extender setup or maybe a few access points.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

As long as you keep it under control.
And both business owners will be aware of the "true costs" of services.

 

[hightechrex]

As long as you keep it under control.
And both business owners will be aware of the "true costs" of services.

I Agree, that has been my primary concern. Maybe not "concern," but It's the most important. Don't want to rip myself off in the process. But on the flip side, I think it would be great networking among business clients. Good way for me to build relationships.

 

[PCX]

My opinion is the bartering or negotiating is only appropriate when you are dealing with big numbers (business clients) with plenty of room (profit margin) to safely negotiate a reasonable price. The longer the contract, the more negotiating room.

I don't negotiate with residential end users. Considering what can be make in the business world compared to what we make with residential end users, there is not enough room to negotiate and no incentive to do so. Even if you do gain a faithful customer in this way, they are likely to nickel and dime you every time and maybe use your services a couple times a year.

 

[hightechrex]

My opinion is the bartering or negotiating is only appropriate when you are dealing with big numbers (business clients) with plenty of room (profit margin) to safely negotiate a reasonable price. The longer the contract, the more negotiating room.

I don't negotiate with residential end users. Considering what can be make in the business world compared to what we make with residential end users, there is not enough room to negotiate and no incentive to do so. Even if you do gain a faithful customer in this way, they are likely to nickel and dime you every time and maybe use your services a couple times a year.

Yep, business clients were the main ones that I intended on dealing with for that exact reason. I've been in this industry for almost a year and I find myself shying farther and farther away from residential clients and more towards business. As you said, there is alot more money in business. With that being said, I try to not to discriminate because all business clients are residents at some point and in some cases, residents are potential business clients.

 

[cmonova]

You can always join something like dobarter.com or one in your area and have numerous businesses to barter with vice on an individual basis

 

[Knightsman]

I'm done bartering. People dont understand the true value you bring to the table, and want more and more. They think whatever they bartered is worth more and more.

I dont like having to spell out, that this or that isnt going to cover even more work. To me thats common sense. So I just avoid it now.

 

[Paul Rodgers]

Never done it but I would barter on services only and would expect the same from others.

 

[Steve202]

I barter on advertising if possible. I've had some advertising costs halved just by asking for a better rate.

 

[cmonova]

The network I belong to has thousands of barter members across the nation and even in other countries. You can offer a variety of services exactly how you want. You can do as much or as little as you want. I've used it to pay for:
Marketing Materials
Car Washes (unlimited)
Various places to eat
Vacations to Florida/Virginia Beach
Etc.

This is a pic of just "some" of the things that other owners offer on barter.

 

['putertutor]

This is a pic of just "some" of the things that other owners offer on barter.

That looks like a big list, but I can't make out any individual item.

I have bartered with residential customers, but only when the deal was well in my favor and only if I am the one to bring it up. I have found that whenever someone asks me for work in trade, they often have a very low opinion of what the work is worth and worse, it sets up the expectation going forward that you are willing to barter on all deals.

Businesses, like PCX mentioned, may be a better deal, but even then, I feel that it is too easy for one party to get the short end of the stick, especially when one is providing a service against a product. The guy offering the product will likely feel his tangible goods are of more value than your intangible services. You, after all, are only providing your time, he is providing something substantial. That is the thought process I see happening all to easily, and what makes bartering unappealing to me personally.

 

[brock029]

Make sure to check your tax laws, I am not sure about federal tax but I know in Texas if your business trades your services for something in return you still have to pay sales tax on what it should have cost on the work performed. Infact the company that makes my business cards put a sign up saying the Texas Comptroller has ordered that they no longer make trades, probably because they weren't paying tax on it.

I have yet to trade anything but my dad traded concrete work for a motorhome. Tons of small businesses still do it.

 

[RazorJack]

We recently bartered for shirts. We went in, cleaned and defragged 6 pcs and installed a NAS device. Total time was under 2 hours. In return, we're getting 12 t-shirts, 12 hoodies, and a monthly maintenance contract.

 

[cmonova]

That looks like a big list, but I can't make out any individual item.

Sorry about that here you go:
http://computermedicsofnova.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Screen-Shot-2013-01-23-at-3.09.37-PM.png
Again, that is just a partial list.

 

[hightechrex]

The guy offering the product will likely feel his tangible goods are of more value than your intangible services. You, after all, are only providing your time, he is providing something substantial. That is the thought process I see happening all to easily, and what makes bartering unappealing to me personally.

This was my biggest concern. I will have to explain everything in detail, so hopefully that's not a problem. Even then, once you look at the cost of software needed to do the service and even the gas it quickly adds up. If there reasonable people they should understand.

 

[hightechrex]

We recently bartered for shirts. We went in, cleaned and defragged 6 pcs and installed a NAS device. Total time was under 2 hours. In return, we're getting 12 t-shirts, 12 hoodies, and a monthly maintenance contract.

Exactly what I'm trying to do right now. Any pictures?

 

[RazorJack]

Exactly what I'm trying to do right now. Any pictures?

We're still waiting on the shirts to be printed. I'll see if I can get the proof and possibly post it..

 

[score444]

When we moved into our new office about a year and a half ago, we wanted to use a local alarm company instead of a national like ADT. The monthly rate is about $20 higher than we could be paying to ADT, plus there was a $500 setup charge for the equipment and installation while ADT would do it for free.
We saw potential to do IT work for this local alarm company, so we ended up bartering the $500 setup charge.
Basically, they didn't charge us for the setup and they got X hours of free labor from us. They quickly used up their free hours and now have become one of our top paying clients. If we would have just looked to spend as little as possible on the alarm, we would have never gotten this client.
One lesson we learned from this was if possible, try and do business locally. It may cost a little more, but you have a good chance at being able to sell your services to them.