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E-Mail:
bartermarket@yahoo.com
Tel: (246) 236 2820
       (246) 268 6735

There are some principles intrinsic to our very being which were always with us, and will always be with us in this world as we know it. Barter, trade, or exchange is one of them. Without this we would still be at the embryonic stage of economic, social, scientific and many other disciplines necessary to our present way of life. Bartering is the act of exchanging what we have in abundance for what we do not have, without the use of money. In reality bartering is really exchanging in a more thoughtful way and people with all types of relationships exchange consciously or automatically all the time.

So why am i writing about this? Like so many great things we take for granted, or make little use of, our exchange skills have become rusty from lack of use.

We have left the acquisition of knowledge, services and commodities to experts who don't always have our best interests at heart. Even if they did try to, it is actually impossible for them to supply us with all we need and want, while making it worth their while. People have always exchanged on a personal level, from presents, to who does the chores, to teaching, and holding each others back, etc.

Big business continues to barter effectively... unfortunately, at the personal level, where exchange began, the lack of trust, time, knowledge of each others needs, and unwillingness to find out, has brought things to snail pace.

Regretfully we do have far more acquaintances than friends in todays rushed lifestyle. Yet it is in this growth area of acquaintances where more skill is required to barter, than with close ones with whom we already have a high level of trust. It is necessary in this area of relationships to be a bit more circumspect in the way we do things. Sometimes it is necessary to measure values better by using normal monetary values, and by making a copied note of the arrangement, yet often all that's needed is to exchange things according to what value we place on them. The important thing is honesty, and being very clear about expectations.

A society where people informally exchanges, demonstrates their trust, care, and pure common sense in making life better for each other. This timeless practice can help to reveal the friend, who appears now to be only... an acquaintance.

I know of 5 main ways that we can have or obtain necessary and pleasurable services and commodities:

1. Inherent qualities, abilities and knowledge.
2. Take directly from nature.
3. Consume what we produce.
4. Barter, trade or exchange.
5. Use money to purchase.

As man became more sophisticated we moved from hunting and gathering to buying most of our commodities and services. The money system had its purpose for quick convenient transfer of huge resources over great distances, easier accounting etc.

Yet often our blind confidence and dependence on an easily manipulated resource such as the money system (which actually depends on faith) has in the past and is now again demonstrating its inherent weaknesses. Hunting and gathering in most places is at a minimum. We still produce a little of what we produce (kitchen gardens etc.) however, n wasteful countries such as we have mostly in the west (Barbados included) the area of most potential is bartering. We have many resources wasting away around us that can be exchanged for useful things we do not have.

By carefully examining our wasted resources; everything from unused passenger seats to recyclable garbage, we can be re-educated into the procedures for effective bartering. This process is very useful in personal life, but literally a 'God send' to entrepreneurs, during and after this current recession. We all have to learn more about the money system, which we don't know much about, but think we do, and are not really encouraged to better understand.

Bartering helps to build trust, which is required for most effective transactions. From bread to shoes to digital gadgets I have lost without refund, my money on new items which though proven faulty, were never replaced. The same (not worse) thing applies to bartering, it's not perfect. Yet a good understanding of bartering principles can bring 'bad deals' down to a minimum... and guess what, your side of the barter was already part of your 'waste'. Bartering digital devices can often be advantageous as the previous owner can bring you up to date on what they already know of the device.

Increasingly we buy 'pigs in bags' as digital devices and micro electronic chips enter even our cars leaving us ignorant of our own 'possessions'.
'Again a lot depends on faith.'

A word to the wise is enough.

KEEP YOUR WORD
Bartering starts with good communication in which parties involved demonstrate their ability to KEEP THEIR WORD. Over a period confidence turns into TRUST over small exchanges and the scene is set to enter bigger trades.

GOOD COMMUNICATION
Being clear and transparent about the details is crucial especially with new barter partners. Four main things must be settled:

1. PAR VALUE
2. TIME
3. PLACE
4. THIRD PARTIES

PAR VALUE
This is when the normal price value of the resources are used. That is, when a price assigned to both resources and then used to barter. No money is used.
Par is not always used as nostalgia, emergency, generosity abd other factors can greatly change values.

TIME
Time frames must be established in which the Barter is valid. If a party does not claim their part within this period, the other party is not under any obligation to pay.

PlACE
Where the barter takes place is important, changes in time and place can greatly change the value of goods and services. Again inappropriate places can negate value.

THIRD PARTIES
When employees or other third parties are needed for the transfer of resources it is crucial that they be properly communicated about necessary details or this can ruin the barter and cause embarrassment.

Often an informal copied note can increase efficiency, save confusion, and maintain or even increase levels of trust about details. Sometimes this may have to be a formal agreement. The internet can be used for these sometimes.

Please send any suggestions to improve barter quality to bartermarket@yahoo.com.