Recent College Grads: Barter!

May 18, 2012 / The BarterQuest Team / No comments

It’s the time of the year again: exams are over, and if you’re done with finals this means you’re finally done with school – for good! (or at least for the nearest future).
However, this event marks the transition into a new phase of your life. You’ll live independently from now on, you won’t just work for good grades but rather in order to receive something in exchange that allows you to maintain yourself (a salary and yes, possibly respect and appreciation).
You’re moving out of the dorm, possibly relocate to another city and you’re about to have your first “real” job. Your first salary will most likely impress you because you never earned money before or your previous jobs never paid that well. You might be tempted to splurge. But you should reconsider: you have so many expenses now. You have to pay a rent, insurance, food, etc. And very important too, you might most likely have to pay your student loans back.

It makes sense to take advantage of the frugal behavior you taught yourself during your college years and continue it. Once you get used to splurging every here and there it gets hard to get back to a more modest spending behavior.
A great way to save money is – bartering! Students are the perfect candidates because they’re usually on tight budgets but in need of expensive things like textbooks, clothes and so on. Barter is the perfect solution to the problem.
Someone is happy to finally get rid of unused stuff while someone else is happy to receive something they need. It’s a perfect win-win.
But it doesn’t end there. You don’t have to stop bartering just because you’ve graduated, actually it’s one of the best reasons to continue. You’re maintaining your frugal lifestyle and will be able to overcome your debts and even make some savings. Happy trading!

“We cannot direct the wind but we can adjust the sails” ~Author Unknown

Category: Featured Posts, Save Money Barter /

Mother’s Day is coming up

May 11, 2012 / The BarterQuest Team / No comments

We celebrate it every year (or I guess most of us do) to honor our mothers and show them our appreciation and love. However, when it comes to presents for our mom, most of us aren’t creative and opt for the classic flower bouquet (I’m not innocent myself…).
I recently read a study that suggested 91% of all moms would prefer an iPad over flowers. To be honest that information didn’t surprise me (I’d be one of them) but seriously, it’s not just a lack of creativity that haunts most of us, it’s also limited financial freedom.
When it comes to presents I’m a firm believer that the value of the gift doesn’t matter. What matters is the gesture and whether it comes from the heart. I have a hard time accepting presents that people give me because they felt obligated. You might argue how would I know but trust me, I can always tell.
A person who is happy to give you a present is more excited about you opening it than you yourself are. And usually these are impersonal presents anyways. I’m not saying that I don’t appreciate gift cards or presents in general, but when my good friend made the effort to bake gluten free cookies for me, I was touched. Such gestures are priceless.

But back to Mother’s Day. And I just figured you could use this as a suggestion: in case your mother enjoys cookies, bake for her! Most cookie recipes are simple and don’t require you to be a chef. If you’re not sure about baking, how about cooking dinner for your mother, or invite her for brunch? I’m sure she’d appreciate the gesture and the quality time she’d get to spend with her child/children.
And in case you really lack creativity, go and buy flowers but make sure you do it because it makes you happy to see your mother happy.
And remember to rather show her your gratitude whenever you can instead of buying her flowers once a year.

“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom” ~Marcel Proust

Category: All About Bartering, Featured Posts /

Bartering Children’s Gear

April 30, 2012 / The BarterQuest Team / No comments

You might wonder why we decided to write about this specific category. Well, it’s very simple: children’s clothes, toys and other equipment are simply made to be swapped!
Have you ever wondered how fast your child is growing out of those shoes you just recently bought? This can really sum up. And at some point it might be argued that it’s wasted money if you’re buying new things just so your child can wear/use them for a couple of weeks or months.
But when it comes to children’s stuff it’s not only a matter of size. A newborn appreciates other toys than a 4-year old. And different 4-year olds may have different preferences (actually we’re absolutely sure they do!).

So what to do with all the useless toys your child once used to play with? What to do with all the toys and clothes you received as presents but never really used? Get rid of it, and get something you can actually use in exchange. And in order to do so you don’t even have to leave the house. In fact, you don’t have to move at all. Stay right where you are, comfortably seated and click yourself to the perfect trade. We know that being a mother is a full time job so you might appreciate the fact that you don’t have to leave the house to shop for children’s gear. It takes a couple of seconds to connect you to thousands of other mothers who are just as keen to swap and trade as you are. At BarterQuest we even dedicated a club to all mothers. It’s meant to connect you with like-minded women in order to increase your chances of a successful trade, connect you with other mothers, enable you to exchange advice, discuss problems and so on. It’s a platform created for you and meant to be customized by you.

Once your kids are in college, it’s definitely time to get rid of all the children’s stuff you kept “just in case”. Baby cribs, strollers, baby seats and so on. Why let this stuff taking up space in your home? And trust me: your children won’t want to use the same stuff for their children. Passing on baby cribs from generation to generation might seem like a somewhat nice tradition, but in the end it’s far from convenient. Times change and products improve.
So start bartering for children’s gear now and be amazed with how much money you will end up saving. Happy trading!

Category: Mothers Swap Shop, Save Money Barter / Tags: , ,

Celebrate Earth Day with an eco-friendly Lunch!

April 20, 2012 / admin / No comments

On Sunday April 22nd, millions of people worldwide will celebrate Earth Day, an event that aims to increase environmental awareness and inspire future generations to encourage the growth of a global green economy.
At BarterQuest we care about the environment and we encourage people to live a more sustainable lifestyle. In order to make a long-term impact on the environment, we have incorporated eco-friendly categories in our website. Our site allows users to redistribute unused items instead of disposing them.

Because we strive to make the planet greener, we decided to actively participate in this event. Therefore we chose to not only switch off the lights and the A/C today, but also to eat organic. But it doesn’t end there; on top of that we were having a vegan lunch! You might ask yourself why eating vegan is so much better for the environment. Well, here are some facts: the amount of land used to grow crops to feed livestock is 10 times we need to grow crops for human consumption. Also, if you consider the feeding, housing, transporting, and slaughtering of animals, and then the packing and transporting of the flesh and products themselves, you’re looking at a tremendous expense and degradation of natural resources.
So we prepared three lovely tasty meals that are not only good for us but also for our planet. Our choices included thai curry, tofu salad with sun dried tomatoes, and protein quesadilla with garden vegetables.

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Are you tempted by this yummy food? Don’t worry here’s the Thai Curry recipe. This healthy and organic meal will fully satisfy your taste buds.

Heat some oil (i.e. olive or canola oil) in a large skillet over high heat.
Add some tofu cubes (you should marinate the tofu with some curry paste, garlic and lemon grass overnight) and fry until golden.
Remove to paper towels and set aside.
Now add some more oil (if necessary) in the same skillet over medium heat.
Add some chopped onion and minced garlic. Then throw in some veggies you like (i.e. eggplant, carrots, zucchini, broccoli) and fry while occasionally stirring.
Now add curry paste and fry for another minute while stirring.
Then pour in some coconut milk. Add lemon grass and let simmer for about half an hour on very low heat. Remove lemon grass, add salt and pepper and cilantro, throw in the tofu cubes and mix everything. Serve over rice. Enjoy!

Make sure to participate in Earth Day Events Sunday April 22nd 2012. But remember, Earth Day is every day. You can make a difference.

Karin and Tiffany

Category: Featured Posts, Green Barter / Tags: , , , ,

Benefits of Online Bartering

April 13, 2012 / admin / One comment

Let’s talk about barter. We all know the concept because we do it all the time. It’s in our genetic program (I believe) to trade and reciprocate. When we were little we swapped sandwiches for lunch, exchanged clothes or accessories, toys and so on. It’s a human instinct to negotiate, compare and trade. Done correctly, it’s a classic win-win situation: both parties gain a benefit.
Bartering is an old concept from the times when there was no currency. You might think now that we have money, things are much less complicated. But in fact they are not. Using money in situations you wouldn’t have to can be a waste. And why not gaining double benefits by finally getting rid of an unwanted item and receiving a needed one instead? By doing so you also contribute to a greener world by conserving resources (basically you recycle).
I’ve talked about bartering in general. Now, what are the concrete benefits of bartering online? Are there benefits at all? And how does that work anyway?
Let me tell you, there are numerous benefits. First of all, thanks to the internet as a driving force of globalization, we can reach people all over the globe – within seconds! This is a very interesting aspect when it comes to trading. The potential group of people you could trade with becomes almost infinitely large. You can basically reach millions of people in split seconds. This brings me to my next point: it’s efficient! There is no longer the need to reach out to people who might have what you want and who might possibly engage in a trade with you and meet them personally. Also, there is no reason to be embarrassed. Being part of a barter network means you’re among like-minded people. We understand people who don’t feel like asking the dentist whether they can pay with apples instead of cash.
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Another aspect that should be considered is the fact that people who join online trading communities come from different backgrounds and join the network for different reasons. This increases the chances for you to find a matching trading partner.
You can basically go online, register (which only takes a few seconds at http://www.barterquest.com) and your successful trade is only a couple of clicks away. You don’t need cash or a credit card, simply ship your item to your trading partner or perform the negotiated service (or provide your Real Estate). Speaking of goods, services and Real Estate: you can barter with all three categories, meaning BQ will let you trade the temporary use of your house with a car or the service of a nanny and so on (you get the idea).
So why don’t you become a member of the BarterQuest network today, make your lifestyle greener, save money and have fun? We’re looking forward to welcome you in our community! http://www.barterquest.com.

Karin

Category: All About Bartering, Featured Posts, Save Money Barter / Tags: , , , ,

7 Tips for Bartering Products and Services

April 6, 2012 / admin / No comments

Originally at http://www.negotiatingtechniques.org/14/7-tips-for-bartering-products-and-services/

Make It Fair Be sure you are both trading a fair value including shipping. It may be neccessary to trade more than one product/service or issue a gift certificate for the remaining amount. Communicate Keep in good contact with the person you are bartering with, both durring and after the trade. Visiting message boards/groups making announcements in appropriate catagories is one way. Many sites also have a special section just for bartering. They need to be managed to determine a common goal, establish objectives and set a course to obtain the desired results. Negotiators and parents can adopt mediation techniques to improve their skills at handling conflict. A mediator delegates responsibilities not only to get the job done but also to give everyone a vested interest in the outcome. By directing and delegating, the mediator effectively makes both parties more equal and more likely to be able to come to an agreement. In the right situation, using inclusion to integrate everyone’s needs into the solution can yield very positive results. Mediators are masters of group manipulation.

They must get warring parties to set aside their differences and reach an accord. Most people are used to being told what is right to do. A mediator is unable to make the decision for the group. He does not function as a judge or jury. He must enable each of the parties to make their own settlement decisions.

team with joined hands

Getting people to do things they would not ordinarily want to do can involve, among other things, manipulation. But this is typically a subset of the use of effective leadership and management skills. While manipulation has a bad connotation of trickery or deceit, it can be simply good negotiating. When managing the negotiating process you are seeking to maneuver the other person into agreeing to your terms. If a little manipulation will get them to consider your arguments is required, then it is well suited to the purpose. Being able to lead others, convincing them to hear what is being said, and to consider options is a mark of a good leader. Tricking others into doing your will is not.

Use of trickery will likely lead to agreements that fall apart after the test of time. In any dispute those involved make up a small group and are subject to traditional group dynamics. Filling this role is what makes mediators effective at resolving disputes.

Category: All About Bartering, Featured Posts, How to / Tags: , , ,

Shoot Like a Pro! How To Take Better Pictures Of Your Items

March 30, 2012 / admin / No comments

We all know that a good picture will most likely increase your chances of successful trading. People want to see a clear and detailed shot of the product. By doing this, you will attract other users and will become a pro at bartering!
Here are some easy steps on how to make your Haves and Wants stand out!
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1. Use natural light
Natural light makes good photos, it’s as simple as that. Take pictures during daytime and avoid using a flash, as it will create unwanted shadows. Natural light will display your item with a good color balance and will attract more BarterQuest users.

2. Shoot from different angles
Get down on one knee, tilt your camera slightly to the right, and shoot. Those are simple angle adjustments that will truly make your items stand out. Using different angles will add depth to your photos, will show all sides of your item, and will enhance your item’s features.
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3. Get in close
Taking close ups of your Goods on BarterQuest is important. To take a nice close up shot, you need to use the Macro button (the flower icon) on your camera. This setting will create a small depth of field, bringing your items in the foreground into sharp focus, and minimizing any distracting elements in the background.

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4. Choose a plain background
Using a white seamless neutral background is the best way to highlight your item’s features. The item must be the first thing that people see when looking at your pictures, there should not be any background clutters. Remember that you are trying to barter for your items. If you do not have a white background, you can always use a poster board, a bed sheet, a light colored wall or even pattern wallpapers.

5. Take multiple shots
You are a beginner at taking attractive pictures, not a problem; just take as many shots of the item as you can. Some of them will turn out to be just great! Members of the BarterQuest community love looking at different pictures before choosing which item they want to barter for. Take a variety of shots using different angles. Posting multiple pictures of your item shows that you are trustworthy and that you have nothing to hide!

You are now a professional at taking beautiful pictures of your listings! Remember that fantastic pictures will increase your chances of finding a trading partner! The more pictures, the better. Now go use your camera and take a picture worth a thousand swaps!

-Tiffany

Category: Featured Posts, How to / Tags: , , ,

How to Approach a House Swap

March 23, 2012 / admin / One comment

Originally at http://www.allinclusivespringbreak.org/tag/house-swap/

People who do house swapping, and some call it home exchanges, very often discover that it can take them to unexpected places and surprises. You have a new way to meet people and see new places as a local rather than a tourist. You can just throw out all the hotels, too, unless you love paying for them and living in them. We’re going to share some excellent house swapping tips to ensure success with this unique venture.

The most effortless technique for becoming a part of home exchanges is to join a club for house swapping. There are many different organizations that you can seek online, which allow you access to a worldwide membership of individuals who are excited about this type of travel. An annual fee is necessary, however this is generally quite affordable, especially when you think of all the money you’ll be saving by vacationing in this method. You might want to join multiple home exchange organizations to get to know more people and have a better shot of meeting someone to make an agreement with. When you join these agencies, be sure to post a complete profile, including a picture, so people will know who you are. Check the website often for new listings and it won’t take long for you to have complete access to the world of home exchange.

Do you have any ideas at this stage? You may already have guessed that home exchange services is a large field with much to discover. We have found other folks think these points are valuable in their search. Continue reading and you will see what we mean about important nuances you need to know about. So what we suggest is to really try to discover what you need, and that will usually be determined by your circumstances. You have a solid base of a few important points, and we will make that much stronger for you as follows.

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Worries about the other party are usually seen in people new to this process, but yes sometimes you may wonder about the integrity of the people living in your home. As far as we can tell, and know, those who are in agencies are honest people and understand that they need to be respectful with other people’s homes. Still, it’s perfectly acceptable to ask for references before letting someone stay in your home. If you own the home, you may want to contact your insurance company to ask if such an arrangement will put you at any risk. Of course if you rent, then it’s really a good idea to let the landlord know what is going on with the house swap. Likewise, don’t be offended if they ask for references or ask you to sign a contract.

You will have more success when your home exchange listing, with the agency, creates the desire to find out more and be open to staying in your home and area. There are two points involved, obviously your house but also the location where you live. Include photos, not only of yourself but of your home and neighborhood. Create a compelling ad by the use of videos of your house, your local area, and include yourself as well. Don’t be afraid to act like a travel agent or chamber of commerce representative for your area. You know what is appealing where you live, and there is someone out there who will agree with you. Talk about the benefits of visiting your area, and then show them why they’ll love it.

There really are a lot of benefits to experiencing the home exchange for travel and fun. You’d be surprised at the numbers of people who do this and enjoy doing it. There are so many positive reasons to try this, and they key is working with a good agency. We urge you to be open about this because it’s such a cool way to travel, so at least look into it.

Category: Featured Posts, How to / Tags: , , ,

Bartering Tips For Online Business

March 16, 2012 / admin / No comments

Back in the early days of civilisation when there was no accepted form of currency, purchasing was based on the barter system. If the caveman down the way had a hunk of dinosaur meat you were interested in, you could offer him a pelt of fur in exchange for it. You got to eat, the other guy got to stay warm. It was a win-win situation.
Things have certainly changed in modern society but the barter system is still in use. Trading products, services, or promotional efforts provides an affordable way to extend your internet marketing reach.

Trading Services
You might be in need of professional services for your company. Often accounting or legal services, necessary for the growth and compliance of your e-commerce company, present prohibitive costs to the small business owner. Why not barter for these services?
Consider offering a free banner ad or a complimentary write-up on your blog in exchange for an initial consultation or a service from a professional who offers the services you need.
If your first offer doesn’t pique the interest of a professional provider don’t give up. Provide a list of things they can choose from. There is bound to be something you can offer that is of interest.

b2b barter

Promotional Bartering
You can really extend your marketing reach if you partner with others to help spread the word about your online business. This is a simple concept, usually offered in exchange for like promotional efforts.
Working with another online individual or company, you can offer to exchange banner ads, blog posts, a link in a blogroll, or even do-follow comments.
But you can also use other items to barter with. If your website sells products, consider giving something away in return for a posted review, a testimonial, or a referral on a social media site.
Planning an event? Whether it is an online or offline gathering, find the vendors who can supply the needed components, such as webinar software. Ask if you can exchange the necessary product or service for advertising spots on your website or a complete write-up of the event afterward that showcases the vendor’s offerings.
Need a logo for your start-up? Why not offer the graphics artist a direct link from your site in exchange for the design or a deep discount?

General Bartering Tips
Bartering works best if you attempt to exchange items or services of similar value. Offering a blog post in exchange for the complete legal setup of your business is probably not going to entice a lawyer to take you up on this deal. It is easier to make appropriate offers by first assigning a dollar value to the product or service you are using to barter.
If you don’t already have a relationship established with a vendor, provide them a show of good faith by giving something upfront. With so many scam artists on the internet these days, many people are leery of deals from an unknown source.

Category: All About Bartering, Featured Posts / Tags: , ,

How to Barter Services

March 10, 2012 / admin / No comments

Originally at: http://www.barterforcash.com/how-to-offer-barter-services.html

Another interesting aspect of trade aside from common exchange of products would be barter services. The method involves trading specialties between parties. On most occasions, the exchange is bilateral and direct between the parties involved. You need to have full knowledge regarding the details of this type of barter since the goods cannot be fully quantified.
Intro to Barter Services
Barter services are the offering of services and specialties by one barterer in return for another type of service or specialty that they need. The trade is done through physical or online meetings wherein the parties involved will define the type of service they are offering including all other details such as duration of service, coverage and limitations, overhead expenses, etc. This is an effective approach for individuals who cannot fully afford with cash. It is also a common practice used by individuals who are still beginning to improve in their craft.
Examples of professional services that are offered are home repair or construction, plumbing, accounting, health care, electrical work, mechanical work and engineering. There are also personal services exchanged which may be valued less such as pet grooming, babysitting, running errands and art making. The good thing about bartering services is that any individual from any walk of life can offer their talents and skills including students. Other inclusions available include article or thesis writing, poster making and web site designing.

how-to-barter

It may be easier for you to find on the internet services you need to be bartered. There are web sites that particularly cater to bartering services. These will serve as your common meeting ground where you search for options and begin negotiating. Reliable web sites usually have a profile and complete list of all registered users so that you can immediately contact and offer to trade via private messaging, telephone or e-mail. Effective systems will provide you with exchange matches to make searches easier as well as monitor the transaction to ensure that all goes smoothly and satisfaction is guaranteed.
Things to Remember When Bartering Services
Define the service you are providing as well as the service you are looking for. Include the main service you need, how long you need it for, date and venue of services, specifications or things to be emphasized by the service, how many people are intended to provide the services for you and how expenses on the project are going to be paid for. You should also inform your fellow barterer all these details regarding the service you offer when discussing the exchange.
When looking for potential trades, try looking for local barterers who will be easier for you to locate and meet to further discuss details. If you find a remote source, it is recommended to look for a third party or inform a web site moderator regarding the trade once you finalize everything. Confirm the trader’s profile and save a copy of your emails or messages.
It will help to ask other members online who have already done barter services with the person you are transacting with. Check references or ask for some if there are none shown. You can finalize the details in paper once everything is settled. Write a barter service contract to avoid any complications and conflicts in the future. Have it signed by all parties then send a copy to the web site moderator.

Category: All About Bartering, Featured Posts, How to / Tags: , , ,
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