Share your bartering stories here :)

[erinalexmom]

I was thinking about McD getting her house painted for free so her friend can increase her painting business. I was wanting to share stories on here of times you have bartered with others for things or services rather than paid for them.
I know my friends and barter babysitting all the time

[lisaflex]

i dont barter, but, a good tip when getting tree work, electrical, plumbing, painting, etc...always offer to pay in cash and ask for at least 15% discount...works like a charm everytime!!

[savvy_sniper]

When I needed a website for my online sales a friend helped me set it up and taught me how to maintain it. He also designed my company logo for me. In return I helped him set up his eBay store and taught him all the ins and outs of eBay and PayPal. It was a win/win for both of us!

[Spirit Deer]

I took some very heavy moosehide in exchange for sewing some boots for a musher once. I made five leather dog leashes out of the moosehide and we have been using them for twenty years. They are butter-soft and so easy on the hands that anyone who handles them wants one. I hope they last forever and they just might. I donated the stiff, uncomfortable cowhide leashes we thought were so great before we got the moosehide ones to a shelter, which was happy to get them.

I made a sled bag for another musher heading for the Arctic circle. He paid me with a set of Birwin bindings for my cross country skis, which allowed me to use my warm and comfy mukluks instead of ski boots.

[McD]

When Moo was first born, a friend needed a newborn girl to photograph to add to her portfolio/website, so we got beautiful pictures of Mags for free. In turn, I refer her every chance I get, posted pictures on FB for the the world to see, etc. Word of mouth is an amazing bartering tool for those wanting to expand their business.

[BeachBaby]

I've bartered Chiropractic care since that isn't covered under our insurance.

[zakity]

I barter homemade soap for small amounts of whole wheat flour. She grinds it from her wheat berries for me.

[Josephhgoins]

Not done much batering and I am not sure if you would really count this but.....I clean my BF's house and do his laundry and in return he keeps my car in order, changes the oil, rotates tires and anything else that it needs.

I have no car skills and he is a ASE Certified Master Mechanic, so it works out well.

[frugalfoster]

I barter all the time...in fact this morning i'm bartering my haircutting services with a guy who raises beef.... but then i'd actually do my job even if i wasn't getting paid...I love the people!

[MsMarieH]

Hubby bartered setting up a plumbing company's computer network with them doing some plumbing in our basement.

[peanut]

Not a big one, but it works for us! We barter our flimsy produce bags for celery tops. A friend doesn't like celery leaves. I use them in soup. She does like the produce bags for her garbage!

I also barter my baking/canning for rides places. We only have one car and DH takes it to work in winter (which is 6 months of the year here). I cage rides with friends and make sure to share my canning with them. They return the jars for refills the next year.

[gottadance]

I bartered my car for a house/garage painting. I was buying my grandma's car with lower mileage, so I needed to sell my car. This was right when the economy tanked - no one would buy my old car. So I posted on craigslist that I would trade my car for my garage/house painting and found someone to do it. He did a great job - my house was in desperate need of a paint job - and I actually got more value. The paint job was estimated at $5-$7K. My car was only valued at $3K.

But you do have to be careful. Craigslist is full of scammers.

[mauimagic]

Love a good deal - where everyone wins!!

[zakity]

The husband of my friend who I trade soap for flour with has started making soap dishes. I am going to trade a bar of soap for a soap dish for a friend who needs one.