Bartering is a way to directly exchange goods and services without the use of currency. People have been trading for centuries, but the internet has opened up a whole new world of possibilities in this field. Whether you're looking to get some value from your excess stuff, or want to save money on a service swap, read on to find out how to find trade-in opportunities and make deals that will make everyone happy.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Choosing Services and Items to Offer
Step 1. Evaluate your professional services
The most obvious choice of bartering is a service that you already provide as a job, or that you have given in the past. Everything from dental work to carpentry can be offered in barter. Let potential barter partners know that you have professional experience in that industry and they will likely find your offer more attractive.
If you are a businessman, consider offering your standard services in exchange for designing brochures, preparing a tax return or carrying out another business need. This can be a great way to attract customers who otherwise would not give you the job or would not buy your goods, without losing value
Step 2. Identify skills related to your hobbies
If you like to cook, you can offer people a home cooked meal or some cakes. Objects of art and crafts are sometimes in great demand, especially if you offer to create a personalized piece. If you can't think of a good or service that you can get out of your hobby, ask a friend for suggestions: maybe he is able to see that the small jobs you do on your car or the poems you write in your free time have you. given precious potential, while you fail to realize it.
Think about hobbies related to home maintenance, such as gardening and DIY
Step 3. Collect ideas to identify your less obvious skills
Many people take on special skills in their work, hobbies or everyday life and don't always realize it. Make a list of all the activities you do regularly. Analyze each item on this list and evaluate what specialist skills and knowledge you have that allow you to perform these tasks quickly and with good results.
- Many people have difficulty with math calculations, such as preparing their tax return paperwork or keeping their business or household expense accounts in an orderly fashion. Being fast, accurate, knowing how to multiply and divide can sometimes be all it takes to offer some basic services.
- Other skills to consider could be the organization of the house, the resolution of computer problems, translations (if you are bilingual) or the processing and correction of texts.
Step 4. Offer less specialized services that others may not be able to do or do not want to do
Many activities that can be bartered involve pet sitting, mowing the garden, running errands, cleaning the house and other services that some people can perform more easily than others. If you enjoy these normal activities, or if you find that you can do them quickly, consider offering these services. These tasks could be uncomfortable for people who have no transportation, health or mobility problems, or a busy day.
If you have specific skills or experience in any of these areas, please indicate when offering your services in bartering. Budgeting for groceries or taking care of an exotic pet might seem trivial, but it could instead be exactly what someone is looking for
Step 5. Find items you want to get rid of
Look around you by analyzing the environment around you from a bartering point of view; there may be small items that are difficult to sell, but easy to barter in small exchanges. Books and clothing you no longer want, a toaster or other appliance you don't use or even closed bottles of wine or food items can be exchanged by organizing bartering.
- If you trade small items frequently, look for free or inexpensive items at local or flea markets that you can trade in later.
- If you have a small garden or raise animals for eggs or meat, you may want to trade in some products from these activities.
Step 6. Borrow the use of your home, car or other expensive items
If you can arrange a home exchange to go on vacation, you can save a lot of money on the hotel room. Alternatively, consider renting a room in the house by making an exchange rather than asking for money or simply allow a "backpacker" traveler to use the sofa for a few days. You may also find people who are interested in borrowing the car, or who need to be driven to some specific location. If you have a saw, lawn mower, or other expensive tools, you may want to lend them to a barter partner.
This type of trading can be a little more risky, since you are offering valuables that will need to be returned to you. Depending on your degree of discomfort, consider trading only with trusted people, friends, or people with whom you have a mutual friend who can vouch for
Part 2 of 3: Finding Bartering Opportunities
Step 1. Look for bartering sites on the internet
This online page offers a list of several Italian sites for trading. Make sure you read the instructions carefully and know any membership fees and / or any costs you may incur to receive or send articles, before engaging and signing up for a new site.
- Some websites require you to pay for the cost of shipping items, which can also be challenging if you are sending heavy or bulky items. It is always wise to find out how much shipping can cost before accepting an exchange.
- On some websites, members contact each other to arrange an exchange. In others, "points" (or another virtual currency) are earned for providing items or services, which you can later use to request items or services from other people.
Step 2. Join a time bank to exchange services only
If you are more interested in trading services than goods, join a time bank in your area or start one yourself. Anyone who joins these associations can "hire" someone else for any type of job. Instead of being paid, the person doing the work earns the number of hours worked in the database. He can then "hire" another bank member time for the same amount of hours. In the standard time bank system, an hour of a given job is always the same value as an hour of another job, regardless of how much it would normally cost to do it in the traditional market. This system makes trading much easier.
For example, Federico gives Piero six hours of math lessons and earns six hours which are recorded in the time bank. Federico then "consumes" four hours by "hiring" another member of the time bank, Paolo, to carry out four hours of carpentry. Federico now has two credit hours in the time bank, which he can use to hire any other member
Step 3. Find bartering opportunities in your community
By doing an online search to find bartering groups in your city or region you may find a forum in your area where you can trade with close people. Also check for any announcements or flyers from your community to find out about offers and bargains. One of the main advantages of local offerings is the possibility of exchanging services that involve face-to-face meetings, or of items that are too heavy or delicate when sent by post.
Major large websites often allow you to search for offers in your region
Step 4. Advertise in your local community
Whether you are looking for individual exchanges or services for your business, on-site advertising is a great way to draw attention to your barter offer. Hang flyers in your community, talk to the neighborhood or organize a family gift exchange for the holiday season. Find regular or long-term bartering partners so you can save on recurring needs, such as lawn care or build better relationships with your neighbors.
The community center, your community newspaper, or parish can help you advertise your services for free or for a small fee
Step 5. Find a way to combine different companies in bartering activities
Businesses can use other methods to organize bartering deals with customers, but your business may be looking for ways to save money by involving other companies. So consider joining several companies and organizing bartering. Just like in private bartering groups, most exchanges work by crediting your business account with a virtual currency each time you provide a service for another user. You can use this virtual currency to acquire other benefits in return, although you may have to pay a commission for the bartering performed.
Always look for the most accredited companies on the market, do online research of their reviews in order to find the best reliable and serious partners
Step 6. Ask
It never hurts to ask if someone is willing to barter, as long as you're willing to take even "no" for an answer. Most people and businesses don't use bartering, but might consider it if an interesting opportunity presents itself. Indicate what services or goods you are offering, ask if there is anything specific they are looking for, but drop the subject if you see that they show no interest.
Part 3 of 3: Arranging a Barter
Step 1. Suggest the possibility of a barter
If there is a person you have not met in a group dedicated to bartering, but you seem vaguely interested, politely let her know about this possibility of exchange before going into details. Use phrases like "Are you interested in bartering?" or "Would you be willing to exchange services instead of cash if you need to do some home repairs?" Don't start by offering a specific quantity of goods and don't haggle over the price of the service; first make sure the other person is open to the idea.
Step 2. Look for a possible barter partner before making a trade
If you have been referred to a potential partner by a friend, ask if they are trustworthy. Ask him to show you examples of bartering in his job if possible, ask questions about his experience or certification if relevant. The most important thing in trading is to make sure you get a high quality "payout".
- If you are bartering for an item near your home, examine it for yourself. If, on the other hand, it is a long-distance exchange, ask to see the photographs of the article on each side.
- If you are concerned that the partner may not handle the barter properly, invite a friend or neutral third party to come with you as a witness when you do the exchange. Better yet, don't trade with untrusted people at all.
Step 3. Make a commitment to describe in detail the service or good you offer
It is better to be specific about the offer before compromising yourself too much in the exchange. Does "garden work" mean cutting the grass or landscaping by planting trees? Are the items you are offering working perfectly or are there any surprises the other person should know about? It is difficult to find an agreement if the two parties have a different view of what is offered, so it is advisable to be very clear right away.
When you offer an item, take photographs or, in the case of an art assignment, display photographs of previous works. They don't need to be professional photos, but make sure they aren't blurry and make them in front of a smooth background
Step 4. Determine the value of each service
For casual homework between friends, you might quickly decide in conversation that a French lesson is worth a homemade pie. When it comes to strangers, or you need to perform more delicate services, it's worth discussing the value more formally. Each party should explain how much they would normally be willing to pay for the good or service that is provided. Be willing to haggle over this amount or reduce the price, if there is still a deal that still saves money. Once you've decided that, for example, a treadmill is worth € 50 and an hour of garden work is worth € 15, finding a fair trade for both parties should be easier.
Since no money is being exchanged, the value of each party's contribution is rarely exactly determined. In the example above, the gardener might agree to work for 3 hours (value of € 45) and receive a treadmill (value of € 50) in return, rather than working exactly 3 hours and 20 minutes (which would be the exact value. of € 50)
Step 5. Add something extra if you can't reach an agreement
If you do not find an agreement on an exchange of services or goods that seems right for all concerned, propose something more. This can be cash, another item you are trying to get rid of, or another service.
Step 6. Involve a third party if necessary
This strategy is more likely to be followed by people who have experience in bartering or who are part of a bartering community. Pay attention to people who need special services and consider if you can work for a three-way exchange. For example, Alfredo can take Mauro's dogs for a walk; Mauro can repair Carolina's roof and Carolina can mow Alfredo's lawn.
Step 7. Make sure the following are guaranteed
For larger transactions, or for transactions with strangers, it is a good idea to enter into a written agreement. For many small exchanges, a verbal or e-mail understanding may be sufficient. In both cases, make sure you agree on the following points before defining the collaboration:
- Who has to provide the tools, ingredients or raw materials? If material is to be purchased, who pays for it and who keeps the new tools or excess materials when finished?
- What is the deadline for completing the service or delivering the goods? If it is a long-term or recurring service, identify a future date to discuss and see if both parties are satisfied.
- How many interventions are planned for the service? For those services that require an unpredictable amount of time, such as website maintenance, it may be a good idea to agree on a maximum number of hours before establishing a new agreement.
- If someone is providing a service in your home or garden, do they have to call you ahead of time to come or do you still allow them to stop and work even if you are not at home?
Step 8. Learn how to have an attentive and polite conversation
If you are communicating by phone or email, try to reply as soon as possible. If you anticipate a delay before you can make a decision, make a service agreement, or provide an item for exchange, please provide the other party with an estimate of the time it will take. Make it clear that you are expecting an email response with a yes or no and politely ask the other person if they have made a decision and if you will have an answer within a few days.
If you decide not to accept an agreement, notify the other party as soon as possible. Don't assume that she will understand simply why you stop communicating with her
Step 9. State the bartering activities in your tax return, if required by the law in your country
In the United States and many other countries, businesses are required to report their barter income based on the estimated value of the service or goods received. Individuals are also required to report capital gains if they manage to "earn" on a deal, again based on the appraised value of the services or goods traded.
- If you are unsure of the value of the items traded, try to find similar examples online, such as items that are sold on eBay or Subito.it.
- Contact your accountant or a union if you need to declare the value of the goods / services traded and do not know how to do so. In some states it is necessary to fill in a special section of the tax return form.
Step 10. Be aware that friends and family may want to trade more informally
Know that many people already trade with people they know, but you can think of this as a friendly trade or gift exchange. Your friends or family may turn down an explicit barter offer, because it may seem too commercial, or they may even agree, but don't understand that you actually expect them to treat it as a binding commitment. In this case, it may be better to trade only things of little value, make informal exchanges and reduce the expectations of returns or the idea of obtaining high quality services.
Advice
Another place to look for new bartering opportunities is the farmer's market. Some farmers are happy to exchange their excess produce for hours in the fields or other goods and services
Warnings
- Beware of scammers. Some people do not respect their part of the agreement, so know that the exchange can take place at your own risk! If the barter involves a high-value product or service and you think the other party is acting suspiciously, consider canceling the exchange.
- In many countries, it is mandatory to pay taxes on any profits from bartering based on the monetary value of the items traded. For the moment, this obligation is not envisaged in Italy.
