Howdy, Folks!
I do like the *idea* of barter. It looks great on paper.
So do Multi-Level Marketing and Communism.
Let's look at some scenarios:
1. Goods for services, i.e., a portable computer for two hours of a provider's time.
Sounds good, doesn't it?
Computer is handed over, time is spent. Everyone's happy.
Then, an hour later...the computer crashes. Turns out it's got a dying hard drive, shorting power supply, and the logic board's a mess of patchwork repairs where bad contacts have been jumped. It's a lemon.
BUT...
The deal was a laptop computer for two hours, and that deal WAS honored by everyone.
Is this still a good barter setup?
2. Services for Services, i.e., Hobbyist replaces an alternator in a provider's car for 90 minutes of the provider's time.
Hobbyist pulls the alternator, takes it to Auto Parts Place, gets a replacement, puts it in, tests it out; all good.
Sounds good, doesn't it?
Provider provides an hour's time; services are exchanged. A week later, the alternator fails. It's not the fault of the LABOR; the part itself has failed. Another alternator needs to be installed.
The deal was an alternator replacement job for an hour, and that deal WAS honored by everyone.
Is this still a good barter setup?
3. Goods for services, i.e., Hobbyist is going to trade an unlocked smart phone for an hour of a provider's time.
Hobbyist makes the appointment, is all set up, has his smart phone ready for the trade.
Sounds good, doesn't it?
Hobbyist gets a call 3 days before the appointment from the provider; she is canceling the appointment(I think 72 hours is a reasonable amount of time to call to cancel - just wanting to say this is NOT the issue, here). Reason - 2 hours after getting off the phone with the Hobbyist, the provider found the same phone online on sale, and when the provider calculates her normal hourly rate compared to the sale price, realizes it behooves her to schedule a regular paying appointment instead, as she will then be able to afford the phone AND have a significant amount of money left over. The provider does allow the Hobbyist the right of first refusal for the time slot, if he wants to pay.
The deal was an unlocked smart phone for an hour, however that deal did NOT go through as originally agreed upon. Reasonable cancellation arrangements were made, the reasons were completely logical and understandable.
Is this still a good barter setup?
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Like I said - I do like the idea of barter. However - it can be very challenging to make it work well for everyone.
Good luck to everyone in their bartering endeavors!
My Bio Page - Texas - Austin
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My Bio Page - Texas - San Antonio
