How do I barter?

**trinaren** · 12-06-2009, 08:06 PM

Has anyone here ever bartered with a business? I'm interested in taking a dance class, and would like to barter for it, but I have no idea how to go about doing it. Do you have any tips for how to bring up the topic and what I should say?

**marjorie** · 12-06-2009, 10:25 PM

If it were me, I'd think about what skills I have to offer that they might be in need of. Then I'd think about what the dance classes would be worth to me... how much time and effort on my part. Next I'd try getting comfortable with the person who would make the decision, and have a "casual chat" out of the hearing of others. Private deals are generally made more easily I think. HTH

**madhen** · 12-06-2009, 11:53 PM

I agree that the only way you'll know what they are willing to trade for dance lessons is to ask. I'd be up front and not waste their time, but be sincere in your request and don't undervalue either their time or yours.

**frugalfranny** · 12-07-2009, 02:01 AM

Like madhen says - never know until you ask - when you have figured out what you are willing to trade.

Also if CL is popular in your area post a bartering ad on CL - think there is even a 'specific' category for batering.

I have and do barter a fair amt. but have never done it for classes.........I trade 'stuff' - possessions - plants - garden produce.

JUST ASK........all they can say is no. I might even be tempted to call the dance studios. In this economy I would bet that they have had lots of things done/offered.

**Grainlady** · 12-07-2009, 08:31 AM

I have a friend who is the queen of barter, but she also has a bartering skill she can equate to cash, which is something you will also have to offer in-kind. If you can provide a service like janitorial, secretarial, laundry, grounds (mowing or snow removal), etc., then you need to figure how much an hour the pay for those services are and off set that amount per hour by the charges for the classes.

My friend is a massage therapist and barters for pet care from a vet. clinic and dental work from her dentist. The entire staff of both these businesses get a half-hour body or foot massage, which keeps the staff happy. She recently bartered to get some remodeling work done in her kitchen, and also a plumber to do some plumbing for her.

Because she charges $ X per 1/2-hour, the other professionals can discharge her bill based on her services dollar-for-dollar.

**redmaples** · 12-07-2009, 08:48 AM

good advice everyone gave here. I love to barter & would like to do more. hope you get to make a trade for your dance classes. it's a great idea.

**trinaren** · 12-07-2009, 08:55 AM

Thanks everyone. Now, how should I bring it up? When they say how much it is, do I just say "instead of cash, would you be interested in ____ instead?" How do other people bring it up?

**old_lady_in_the_shoe** · 12-07-2009, 09:36 AM

We barter as a business, it is usually fun and easy. We have bartered with a dentist, we cleaned his carpet and he gives us services for the same amount of $$ (hubby and I do not have insurance so this is a good thing). We have also do this with a mechanic, once again dollar for dollar and if we went overr we paid the difference. We have usually already done work for them so it seems to be an easy subject, I mean really if you can get away with paying and offer a service that you already provide, then it is a win win. We just ask straight out...Would you like to barter this out...
we get a good response almost every time. We do get a few people who would just rather pay and we are ok with that and respect that decision too. I say just ask and have fun with it!

**frugalwarrior2** · 12-07-2009, 09:48 AM

No you usually have to set it up before services are rendered. My dentist doesn't take our insurance so we have a huge diff. at times. My DH needed a crown. He told the dentist he would debug and upgrade his computer system in exchange. It saved us tons. Specific terms should be discussed. Talk only w/ the person who can make that decicion. Try nt to ask in front of other customers. You must have a service that is marketable and equitable.

**Mummy2** · 12-07-2009, 09:49 AM

I barter my skills for things needed. I just tell the person what I can do and if they want to trade services of items. It works well for Us/ me.

**Mummy2** · 12-07-2009, 09:51 AM

I dont offer proof reading services, see above!

**mombottoo** · 12-07-2009, 11:24 AM

I personally have never bartered, but my good friend barters her services to clean a dentist's office & in return he does their dental work. My dd & her hubby barter their services to a farmer, they help bring in the hay and in return they get the hay they need for their small farm. My dh has bartered his auto repair know how for remodeling work we've needed done in the past...worked out very well for us and our contractor.

If I were to barter I would approach the owner and tell them how much I would like to take their "whatever", but cannot afford cash. Then I would tell them what I could trade in lieu of cash and see where it went from there.

**shoiji** · 12-07-2009, 12:46 PM

You can always start with I love dancing..... One place let me clean the art studio for free weekend time at the studio.

Most importantly, have the discussion when no one else is around. Will lessen the chance of other people getting the same idea. The same as if you were going on an interview.

Ask what types of services you could provide. Do you need someone to come in and clean the studio, help out with filing, making stage scenery, whatever skills you can bring. Make sure you settle on the time required also.

**gottadance** · 12-09-2009, 12:56 AM

I bartered on Craig's List but I traded my used car for an exterior house painting - it was a great deal. I think with bartering you have to also show them how it would save them money. For example, if you are willing to clean their studio, they might be paying for that. Find out what they're paying, how often they do it and then say that you'd be willing to do it at no charge in exchange for X hours of dance classes. What you offer should be equivalent to what the monetary amount is you're asking for in dance classes.

I wish there were easier ways to barter - I think bartering is great and I have marketing/communications/writing/editing skills to offer as well as landscaping for wildlife. I've found Craig's List to be filled with men who barter guy things - tools, electronics, services, etc. As a single woman, I'm loathe to let some stranger in my house. I was trying to barter a laptop for someone to clean my basement carpet, but I just wasn't comfortable letting someone come into my house that I didn't know. Anyone know of any good barter groups? Don't mean to distract from this question - back to the topic.

**RetiredVeryEarly** · 12-09-2009, 02:26 AM

The local craigslist has a barter section. There is also a local sales and barter yahoo group. Go to yahoo groups and search for barter maybe?

I found someone on a local sales and barter list who was promoting their tailoring servies. I emailed them and asked if I could trade homemade jam or salsa for having some pants taken in. She said yes. That was the only formal bartering I have done.

However, I have done LOTS of cosmic bartering. :-) Basically I give away lots of fruits and vegies, and sometimes plants, and rocks for landscaping. People on their own in appreciation for the free produce often give me things later, such as a box of green tea, a box of cereal, toothpaste, whatever they happen to have gotten free or cheap or just don't want. One neighbor we gave produce to for a while now gives us all the day old bread, rolls, cookies, & bagels we want. One guy who gets produce from us emails us before posting on freecycle, and if we want what he has, he delivers it to our house! So basically people give me things because I gave them things, but it isn't in exchange per se. We are just being nice to each other. I guess you could call it karma in action..