Last week my cowboy husband traded a Registered Miniature Donkey for a pink saddle. Yes, you read that right. When I teased him, he said, “Well, the saddle doesn’t eat. And I can sell the saddle.” Turns out it’s a super comfortable saddle and very nicely made, so I may keep the saddle and sell (or trade) mine.
 |
| Photo by Marianne M. Smith |
Last week my cowboy husband traded a Registered Miniature Donkey for a pink saddle. Yes, you read that right. When I teased him, he said, “Well, the saddle doesn’t eat. And I can sell the saddle.” Turns out it’s a super comfortable saddle and very nicely made, so I may keep the saddle and sell (or trade) mine.
We also traded another donkey for a Martin guitar. I’ve always wanted one, but could never seem to afford it. It sounds amazing, and has motivated me to begin practicing again.
This trading thing is definitely working for us. It seems that few have extra money to buy with in our current economy, but most of us have stuff that we no longer need (or have recently acquired in trade). You may not be trading your ass, but the concepts are the same. Trading is pretty easy once you get the hang of it, but there are a few caveats:
Be sure the trade is fair on all sides. We find it’s easiest to trade for equivalent cash. If the saddle is worth X, then the donkey needs to be worth X also. Same thing if you’re trading for more than one item—just add them up. Remember that you can ask for some cash, if it’s needed to even out the trade.
 |
| http://i735.photobucket.com/albums/ww353/jpotente/barter.jpg |
Be sure you have actually seen the item you are trading for, unless you already know and trust the seller. We learned this the hard way by trading for hay once that was not the quality we were expecting.
Be careful when you are meeting with people you don’t know. You might want to move your trade item outside or meet in a busy parking lot at a mutually agreed upon location. I don’t recommend meeting with strangers alone, particularly with valuable trade items in tow.
Be willing to negotiate further. If the trade initially looks like it won’t work out, keep an open mind and ask if there is something else they might be willing to trade for. We have a long list of things we’d trade for and we don’t hesitate to share the list. And don’t forget that you can trade goods for services. For example, that saddle could be traded for concrete or electrical work. One note: Uncle Sam does say that you must exchange receipts and disclose barter in your tax returns.
 |
| http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d102/iconsandpixelslove/654.jpg |
You can get your feet wet by searching “barter” ads online. But we just post our own ads and say we are “open to approved trades.” Give it a whirl. I think you might be surprised by how effective trading can be. And it might just make you feel a little richer.
Have you done much trading? I’d love to hear about your experiences. Feel free to leave a comment or shoot me an email. And let me know if you have something you want to trade. You just never know…
Marianne M. Smith
Writer At The Ranch
Making You Look Brilliant One Word At A Time
http://writerattheranch.com
wordsmith@writerattheranch.com
Writer At The Ranch
Making You Look Brilliant One Word At A Time
http://writerattheranch.com
wordsmith@writerattheranch.com
I like that idea. Actually I've done some bartering and it worked out. Good business idea.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Stingray! That's one thing I love about bartering--you usually come out well. People are more willing to part with stuff than with cash. And the cooperative aspect of it is nice. We just made some new friends through a bartering situation.
Delete