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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
—
With the economy in recession, companies and
individuals are increasingly doing business using the oldest form of
financing: barter. These are not cheapskates trying to swap guitar lessons for a TV on Craigslist. Over the years, Barry Moltz, 48, a Chicago business consultant and author, has swapped his services for a Persian rug, a recliner, massages for his wife and catered parties. Mr. Moltz used to receive about one inquiry a month from someone who wanted to hire him, couldn't pay full price and offered a trade as part of the payment instead. Now it's closer to one a week. Barter always increases during economic downturns, says Don Mardak, chief operating officer of International Monetary Systems (IMS), a New Berlin, Wisconsin-based firm that operates a membership-based trading network for businesses. The firm added a record 3,200 members this year; sales representatives are resetting their targets. Lauren Milligan, 38, founder of ResuMayday in Warrenville, traded her résumé-writing skills for a new Web site design and professional photo portrait. And she updated an acquaintance's résumé in return for his helping her husband, who plays drums in a band, by being his roadie at a gig. |
But there's a rub to trading: She's usually not interested in the products people proffer. She has turned down offers of life coaching, cleaning products, cooking equipment and cosmetics. "I work from home," she says. "Right now, I'm wearing the pajamas I slept in last night. Do you think I care about makeup?" Membership in a barter, or trade, exchange eliminates this limitation. |
