Bartering Services

[kap]

What is the best/fair way to barter services? Has anyone here done such exchange with neighbors and acquaintances?

[OWC Jamie]

advanced banter 101 ?

[kap]

billb wrote:
advanced banter 101 ?

Huh?

[threeprong]

With a contract that specifies scope of work on both sides and a timeline.

[Paul F.]

I SO want to make an inappropriate/tasteless comment here, it's really quite amazing that I'm resisting.

[MacArtist]

C'mon Paul...fire away!

[freeradical]

There's a reason that money was invented...

[cbelt3]

It depends on the complexity. A simple handshake should suffice if you feel your relationship and personal knowledge is strong enough to trust the other person. If the services are more extensive (I'll build and maintain your internet presence if you'll build me a house), then of course a legal contract is in order (and don't forget to pay income taxes on the fair market value, alas

)

I am not a tax attorney or CPA, nor do I play one on TV. Free advice is worth what you pay for it, YMMV, not liable for any personal, public, or galactic damage caused.

[lafinfil]

Since you are in a large metro area there should be barter banks or similar. You provide a service at a given value for credits as do others. Usually there is a small fee on the transaction that covers cost of operation. The nice thing about this system is that you do not have to negotiate directly (the bank handles that) and you do not have to barter as a direct trade, but instead you barter for a service you want.

For example - an old housemate of mine is a commercial photographer in Boston. When he needed to move his studio he bartered credits for his photography skills in exchange for a couple guys and a truck to move him. The movers did not need photography but another barter bank member did. My friend did a photo job unrelated to the movers and the movers got something else from another bank member. I think his fee based on a percentage of value was under $20.

[kap]

lafinfil wrote:
Since you are in a large metro area there should be barter banks or similar. You provide a service at a given value for credits as do others. Usually there is a small fee on the transaction that covers cost of operation. The nice thing about this system is that you do not have to negotiate directly (the bank handles that) and you do not have to barter as a direct trade, but instead you barter for a service you want.

For example - an old housemate of mine is a commercial photographer in Boston. When he needed to move his studio he bartered credits for his photography skills in exchange for a couple guys and a truck to move him. The movers did not need photography but another barter bank member did. My friend did a photo job unrelated to the movers and the movers got something else from another bank member. I think his fee based on a percentage of value was under $20.

Barter banks? Hmm, I will need to look into that. Thanks!