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Art of Barter – The Vintage Way of Payment

Two businesspeople shaking hands.

The art of barter may seem like a native idea for some, but it has come back in this economic recession as a means to acquire objects without cash. Far more things are being traded on Craigslist now, and bartering can always be a good tool. Cash and credit cards have been over used in our economy, so much so that people are realizing cash and credit aren’t the only methods of payment. Bartering is the idea of using tangible goods that one owns in exchange for something else. People find this useful with Christmas gifts, for vacations, baby clothes, or in your profession, people often trade their job talents or skills for a four or five day vacation or something else that has equal value the other other bartering party. There is no end to what can be bartered between different people, as long as both people agree to make the exchange. So why is the art of barter important?

The Art of Barter

There are a few ways you can barter with people and get a better deal. I am not talking about arguing with the guy at the thrift shop so you can get that plaid sweater 50% off, we are talking about exchanging a good for a good. A sweater for a hat. most people think if someone is selling something they want cash. They’re going to go out and buy something probably worse than what they sold you. The art of barter solves this problem. Here are some tips.
1. Give them something they’ll want – Dont go to the bartering table with a wooden spoon. To win the bartering game, you have to have something worthwhile
2. Go Big First – Many people start at their maximum price, or with their best item. This is the biggest mistake in the art of barter. Take your least “worthy” item vs. their best item. It may not be fair to them, but you are not playing fair. You are bartering. Go for the gut.
3. Don’t give up – Some people are persistent. Be persistent back. Its almost like a game of chicken when bartering gets ugly. The deal needs to happen, but it also needs to happen on your terms. Don’t get bullied.
4. Remorse – When bartering, or trading a good for a good, many people regret what they got in return. You made the trade, take out the blade. The best part of bartering is that you get to do it all over again with the item you just got.

Online Bartering Sites

There are many different online sites that contain bartering, Craigslist is one that has recently become popular in this area nearly doubling their online bartering exchange. On Craigslist people either place items they want to trade, or they tell exactly what they would like to receive for their trade, or other people merely say what they want and let the person who has that object determine what to exchange. BizXchange is also a popular site for bartering as well as U-Exchange.

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