Photo Source: Unknown
:: Barter For Goods And Services ::
Bartering has made a strong comeback! Which means there are many more available goods and services for which to trade your own goods and services!
Bartering has been around for thousands of years. Before money was invented, this type of exchange was solely relied upon by early civilizations.
It does take a keen judge of character at times; no one wants to be ripped off. If you trade me tomatoes form your garden for a little yard work, you’ll want to be fairly certain that you’ll be pleased with my work before arranging this transaction!
Bartering tends to be easier in today’s culture with the use of the internet. It’s much easier to find someone offering what you want for a bartering agreement based on what you have to trade. Sites like Craigslist, Tradeaway and Swap.com offer a venue for your bartering and networking needs. There is a resale shop in the town where I live, and their Facebook page allows local people to trade and/or buy, by posting what you are looking for or offering onto their page and making connections with people that way. With its growing popularity today, it has even settled back into our mindsets. For example, at local farmers’ markets, it’s not uncommon to find vendors swapping goods between each other.
Recently I traded 3 dozen fresh eggs for a manual meat grinder that I really wanted, but I didn’t want to spend money on it. I was thrilled I had something that the person with the meat grinder wanted – and we were both smiling ear to ear to have made the exchange!
I remember hearing once someone describing an evolution in our society through recent years: “People used to sit on their front porch, call out to neighbors or passersby and enjoy a strong sense of community. Then we all moved onto our back decks and sealed ourselves off from our neighbors seeking more privacy for ourselves.” That spoke volumes to me and has stayed with me all these years. I believe our society began to grieve its lack of community and now people are reaching out to each other much more, finding great value in the interaction.
This is a good thing. We are made for community and relationship.
By the way, I have a beautiful fly-fishing rod/reel for trade – only used once; any takers? Shhh… don’t tell my husband.
I love bartering! Have been doing it for about two years – in this way I can go to full body massages, acquire stuff I need and “sell” things I don’t need any longer – while I also getting to know new people and even making friendships 🙂
Oh my Erzsebet! … a full body massage… now that’s the way to barter!!! That’s awesome- gives me hope that opportunities to barter will continue to grow!!!