Barter groups allow people to exchange goods and services, with various types of exchange groups available. Members can trade anything they own or make, and it’s a great way to access goods or services that may be unaffordable. Starting a swap group involves finding members and agreeing on rules for fair trades.
A barter group is a club of people who come together to exchange goods or services. There are many types of exchange groups. An individual exchange group works on the single exchange system, in which people exchange one good or service for another directly.
In a “special money” exchange group, members provide goods or services in exchange for counterfeit dollars. This money can later be used to “buy” services from other group members. Typically, this type of swap group only works well if there is an organizer to keep track of the swaps.
All sorts of things can be traded within the confines of a trading group, from old clothes and toys that are still in good shape, to firewood and homemade crafts. Services such as tutoring, babysitting, home repairs and even food preparation are also highly sought after in a swap group. As a general rule, anything you can make or own can be traded as long as there is a demand for it. Bartering is a great way to gain access to goods or services that you might not otherwise be able to afford.
The first step in starting a swap group is finding members. A basic club can be organized among neighbors as a way to save money and strengthen community ties. The individual system is easy to set up, listing all members and the goods or services they have available for exchange. The list can be photocopied or emailed to all members for reference. With the help of a coordinator, it is possible to create a regional exchange group, where the coordinator acts as the contact person or intermediary, maintaining files and organizing meetings for the actual negotiations.
Another way to create a swap group is to organize monthly themed meetings – winter clothes, after Christmas, toys – where members can exchange items directly. Internet barter groups are also becoming popular. They can be open to visitors, like Craigslist, or private Yahoo or MSN groups, which you can only join by invitation.
To ensure exit from any exchange group, it is important to create a set of rules and agree on what constitutes a “fair trade” beforehand. This can be done verbally or through a written contract. If the club has a coordinator, he or she can oversee the exchanges and ensure that both parties provide the promised goods or services.
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