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Would a barter service website work?

by DianaHeuser
20 replies
I was wondering if setting up a website and or group which focuses on people bartering their services would work.

What do you think?

Di
#barter #service #website #work
  • Profile picture of the author WhiteDove
    I think that could be a very good thing. Helping each other out is always great!
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    • Profile picture of the author fin
      I don't like it. I think it's a good idea, but I just don't like the fact that your trying to go for the cheapest price possible.

      Something tells me the work will be worse.
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    • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
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      I think they can work (and I think there've been some, in the past, that have worked well?), but there are a couple of specific difficulties with them, I believe.

      A lot of legal/accounting advice is needed, because in most countries the tax authorities are very interested in these - not because they're generally designed as a way of avoiding income tax, but because the way they operate does rather lend itself to that? If you barter your services rather than being paid for them with declarable income, you're paying less tax than you would otherwise, after all?

      I believe that when such sites acquire enough of a critical mass to "become relevant/noticed", various kinds of tax investigations tend to follow, and it would therefore be really critical to be professionally advised before starting, I think.

      From the perspective of tax authorities, there's a "point of principle" involved with such businesses, and they do have a reputation for causing problems, if they can.
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  • Profile picture of the author mal129
    JVs and adswaps are like barter. There's no money exchanged and both parties benefit. But for technical services like programming, design or troubleshooting I think you might have something there.
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  • Profile picture of the author Lori Kelly
    I like the idea too. A few years ago, I bought tradingtrades.com - haven't done anything with it but my original idea was to create a market place where people could post their trades and barter their services.

    A homeowner with experience as an electrician looking for a plumber - a plumber looking for an electrician.

    Alexa's statement about the taxing authorities is an issue but I don't believe it would be your responsibility as a site owner.

    Here's an interesting article relating to a similar subject.
    Guest Post: Americans Will Need
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    • Profile picture of the author DianaHeuser
      Originally Posted by Lori Kelly View Post

      Here's an interesting article relating to a similar subject.
      Guest Post: Americans Will Need
      Thanks Lori,

      That was interesting. If I started this site I would be probably be called a revoluntionary

      Di
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    • Profile picture of the author tryinhere
      Originally Posted by DianaHeuser View Post

      ,
      It's more about people who are starting out who just do not have the resources to get certain things done so it hampers their ability to get their business going.
      If people are starting out and have no money to spend then how will the site make money ? ads maybe

      still these guys seem to do alright http://www.bartercard.com/ these were / are aussie and seem to be looking for international stuff now so maybe dip into that pond

      Originally Posted by Lori Kelly View Post

      A homeowner with experience as an electrician looking for a plumber - a plumber looking for an electrician.
      A home owner with experience as an elec would not have the proper paperwork to conduct any electrical work in a legal sense, that trade would leave you open to not getting any insurance if an electrical fault was to burn you house down because he / she was un qualified.

      But if they were a registered sparky / plumber then they would already know each other through jobs and contacts and they would not need to look that up on the web.
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      • Profile picture of the author Lori Kelly
        Originally Posted by tryinhere View Post

        ...
        A home owner with experience as an elec would not have the proper paperwork to conduct any electrical work in a legal sense, that trade would leave you open to not getting any insurance if an electrical fault was to burn you house down because he / she was un qualified.

        But if they were a registered sparky / plumber then they would already know each other through jobs and contacts and they would not need to look that up on the web.
        A licensed electrician is licensed to perform electrical work. They are usually bonded/insured as well. If permits were needed (and they're not here in Texas), then it would be the homeowner's responsibility to get the necessary permits.

        If my neighbor, who is a licensed plumber, wants a deck built, there's a good chance he doesn't know a carpenter to build his deck.

        If my neighbor, who is an interior designer, wants her backyard landscaped and willing to barter her interior design services, she might not know a landscaper and would turn to the internet to find one.
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        • Profile picture of the author tryinhere
          Originally Posted by Lori Kelly View Post

          A licensed electrician is licensed to perform electrical work. .
          Yes a licenced elec would be fine, my error as i read A homeowner with experience as an electrician looking for a plumber and i took that as being an average joe home owner who knew a bit of wiring doing the work ?

          Burning to many candles my end and pushing work, sorry for the mix up.
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          • Profile picture of the author Lori Kelly
            No worries Pete. You're right, I should have said a licensed electrician ...
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  • Profile picture of the author rosetrees
    There's a system that's been in operation in the UK for many years called LETS - Local Exchange Trading System LETS Link UK: Homepage

    There was a local branch in Guildford, where I used to live. I never used it as I had little to offer. When I moved to where I am now I looked into it again and there wasn't a local branch. There might be now.
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  • Profile picture of the author DianaHeuser
    Thanks Pete and Rose.

    I took a look at those sites. I liked the idea of the barter card. You guys have given something to think about

    Di
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  • Profile picture of the author flowbee77
    Originally Posted by DianaHeuser View Post

    I was wondering if setting up a website and or group which focuses on people bartering their services would work.

    What do you think?

    Di
    Are you referring to something like this?

    NeighborGoods - NeighborGoods

    Where the users share tools locally.
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  • Profile picture of the author gjabiz
    Originally Posted by DianaHeuser View Post

    I was wondering if setting up a website and or group which focuses on people bartering their services would work.

    What do you think?

    Di
    Diana, suggest you operate it as an EXCHANGE.

    Since there are already big and established B 2 B sites, I think what would work would be more service for service and you'd find enough people here at WF to make it profitable.

    How would the profits for you come in? Fees to register?

    I like it. Just make sure you have a good grasp of the TIME commitment it will take.

    gjabiz
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  • Profile picture of the author Marx Vergel Melencio
    Hi Diana,

    I believe that's a profitable idea. Software programmers planning to develop products need graphics design, content writing and SEO services. Content writers need software programmers, Web developers and graphics designers to set up their sites and products, then they need SEOers to drive more traffic to their sites. SEOers need software programmers, graphics designers, Web developers and content writers to reach wider audiences and promote their SEO services, content and products. That's also a good portal for JVs and other deals. Best of luck!
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  • Profile picture of the author DianaHeuser
    Marx,

    That's exactly the kind of thing I had in mind.

    Di
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  • Profile picture of the author quickcontent
    @Diana - Your idea certainly sounds good and could definitely work. Like you expressed in one of your replies, there are people who are just starting out and would be tight on money. Barter would be a great option they'd be ready to try as its a win-win-win.

    Win # 1. You get done what you want
    Win # 2. The other guy gets what he wants
    Win # 3. You also get a potential customer, or at least the guy might refer your services to someone else.

    Originally Posted by DianaHeuser View Post

    I was wondering if setting up a website and or group which focuses on people bartering their services would work.

    What do you think?

    Di
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