You know everyone. You never waste a penny. You love to solve problems and to
help other people solve theirs. That’s why you will derive great satisfaction from
your barter system business.
It’s really just putting two and two together: what
someone has with what someone else needs, and vice versa. Making it all work as
a profitable business will be a bit more challenging than just this (which you have
probably been doing on an amateur basis most of your life). Many barter systems
are warehouse operations, with individuals buying bulk odd lots and then trying
to trade them.
You will need to become known, to gather the data, the offerings,
and the needs, and to work continually at the matches. Creating some kind of
valuation system for disparate objects and services may pose difficulties also: how
does a car wash match up with a soccer ball? Trading small ski boots for larger
ones is easier.
Your best bet is to suggest cost or product categories (i.e., $10–$25
or “Sporting Goods”) to keep people from trying to barter for more than they are
offering. Your customers will be much happier when they are exchanging things
like leaf removal service for snow-plowing, or art supplies for computer paper.
Costs will be minimal (only about $500 to start). You’ll need some way for your
clientele to reach you, and some way to track what is bartered. Your resourceful-
ness is really what you’re selling in this business. A part-time business should net
you around $15,000.
Keys to Success
Barter systems appeal to people who try to live inexpensively and not wastefully:
the cooperative market types, people in academic communities, and creative think-
ers who are trying to step off the whirl of consumerism that keeps many of us in
debt.
You’ll develop repeat customers if you can help people obtain their wants
and get rid of their don’t-wants at the same time without paying large sums of
money—just a small fee to you for the privilege. This business is a classic example
of making something out of nothing. Virtually no investment, no training required,
nothing but hard work on your part.
Start-up cost: $500–$2,000
Potential earnings: $15,000 and up
Typical fees: $15 or more per transaction
Advertising: Community newspaper classifieds, bulletin boards, flyers,
networking, participation in community activities related
to recycling, cooperative grocery stores, Web site detailing
your services
Qualifications: Friendliness, attention to detail
Equipment needed: A fast computer and high-speed Internet access
Staff required: No
Hidden costs: Phone bill may be higher than expected.
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