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I’ve traded drywall work for backhoe work[having the catails dug out of my pond] I also traded a friend with a bandsaw mill a drywall job for turning some trees into lumber for me.We both used our footage price to come up with an equal trade.
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I've traded drywall work for backhoe work[having the catails dug out of my pond] I also traded a friend with a bandsaw mill a drywall job for turning some trees into lumber for me.We both used our footage price to come up with an equal trade.
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Patty,
Had my wisdom teeth yanked out in exchange for trimming out the oral surgoen's addition.
Worked out great, got alot of work form references.
Have seen other barter relationships end badly because the two parties (one of them at least) felt that the trade was not even. You have to be very specific in the scope of work that is to be done and stick to it.
TEETH OUT; 45 min.
TRIM IN; 25hrs
Matt
*If taking your wisdom teeth out had taken 25 hours, the trade might have been more balanced, but I doubt you would have been happier. I haven't used them, but there are now barter exchanges in which you earn credit by doing work and can exchange gcredits for others' work. so you don't need to find one person who has what you want and wants what you have, just one of each. Seems the big advantage is in not paying taxes on the services you recieve for your work. Even though you are supposed to, just like you recieved money. But getting turned in seems unlikely because both parties are guilty of tax evasion.
*Thanks, guys, for such quick answers - I am heartened! : )Matthew, when I first read your post, my brain was thinking that you trimmed out your oral surgeon's teeth - huh? lol! I definitely think you're right about getting the details straight beforehand, and probably getting them down on paper, too! Sounds like you traded dollar-for-dollar.RF, so you traded retail to retail, so to speak, right?David, well, that's where you pay for the professional's expensive education, I guess. I wouldn't hire a trim carpenter to just saw some 2x4s, and I wouldn't hire a RN to do oral surgery, either! ; ) Not that either of them aren't qualified to do what they do. Also, I have heard of those bartering groups, and looked into some of the big ones - too complex, they usually charge a fee up front, and I didn't like the vibes I got. Didn't know about the tax evasion! Personally, I'd rather not fool around with the IRS!Would any of you put an ad in the paper for this kind of thing? If so, how specific would you be!Thanks again!Patty
*I have bartered for lawyer's fees,major mechanical work(rebuilt engine for my truck), and several jobs with other tradesmen. It's always been a deal of opportunity, not really pre-planned or solicited. The engine was a sweet deal-I was a bit slow when it blew, and my mechanic was looking for someone to build a bar and entertainment center. About 2 1/2 times the cost of the engine work. So there was money left over for me. These deals require a high level of trust between the parties involved. I would be leery of bartering with someone I didn't know.-John
*If you're in a rural area, a local station probably does one hour of "tradio" each day. Free, unclassified ads read over the radio. I often hear services offered and trades of goods proposed. Seems a good venue to propose a trade of services. -David
*David raises a very good and critical point. The tax code says that barter is a taxable event. Since everyone follows the letter of the tax code:-) advertising would be a good way to go. Otherwise, it seems to me asking around for one of the barter co-ops might be helpful. Or, maybe doing what brings the best business in any case, using word of mouth through your contacts. After all one wouldn't want to advertise plans to commit a violation of the tax code, might make TV some night.Disclaimer:I've never advocated evading taxes, nor am I doing so now.
*i Lotsof good advice, and food for thought, here! Thanks, guys!Patty
*Good post! I have done this several times, with mixed results. No matter, I'll continue to use this when the parties agree.Once, traded a cord of oak--split & delivered--for a truck. $100 cash finished off the deal for a newer motor.I've done lots of small jobs this way, but the last one that sticks out is the one I traded with my auto mechanic. I traded tile and door trim for his entire house and he worked on all my cars. Even though we had all the paper straight, I got kinda' screwed on the deal. It took him several years of wrenching to pay up on what he owed me. Memory of actual costs owed fade over time. A caveat: it is imperative you know who you are trading with. You better know their character quite well to reduce the odds of making this a gambling proposition. Having said that, I can't think of a better way to ensure getting the very best work done. As has been pointed out by others, you need to come to terms as soon as you broach the subject. Get it on paper, and keep an accounting of work completed. Agree on unit costs upfront. I suggest going wholesale; each party pays his own tax. Bartering is actually illegal, at least I have heard this. But, the tax code does include bartering. Ambiguous, to say the least. For tax purposes, I report any barter as like actual income.There is a national bartering club with a franchise in my region. Sounds good, you can actually get appliances, travel bookings, etc. through the system. But, for $345/year for membership, I'll line up my own barters, thank you very much.
*"I trust you people - is this idea crazy?"The bartering? or the trusting?Or both?Can't believe nobody jumped on this! :-)Rich Beckman
*Oh, Rich, you arei good!But I'm still not gonna answer your question, heh.Patty
*There is a side to bartering that is really valuable; one gets to know people instead of just having a business transaction with them.
*I have done some light bartering. Most commonly and recently I do work for a lady who owns a travel agency. Lat time the wife and I got a cruise for 4 days and 3 nights that only cost me 130 bucks and 20 hrs of my own time. about a 1600.00 cruise. I am currently doing more work and have a credit of 1400 bucks in trade for travel coming my way.Speaking of the IRS, I sure wish they would barter.Pete Draganic
*Pete, they will. Send in all your money, your first born male child (the next generation of IRS auditors), your left um, er, arm... and all will be forgiven...for this year.
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Patty: I fixed a broken ankle in exchange for a fiberglass holding tank.We were both very pleased with the deal.He could walk and I had water! John Fuhrman M.D.
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Two thoughts here:
1. Has anyone here ever bartered their skills? A lawyer I know once did a house closing in exchange for some painting; worked out fine. The lawyer's paint job was done with lots of extra care, it only took about an hour of his time to do the closing, and the painters saved the cash they would have been hard-put to spend on a lawyer. I know cash money is the best way to be paid, but bartering would seem also to have its place. What do y'all think?
2. Personally, I would love to do something like this. I have more skills than money, and my house always needs work! What do you think would be the best way to approach contractors, etc? I do those decorative finishing techniques, like washed and combed walls, and also wall-papering. I don't know what the going rate is right now, because it's not what I choose to do for money, although I would certainly consider a trade for some work on the house! I trust you people - is this idea crazy?
Patty