Bartering in Our Community - Ethical or No?

[Layah 7013]

This thought came into my mind literally seconds ago and I decided to post about it to get everyone's thoughts before I chickened out. I'm a bit of a wuss when it comes to posting my own original ideas anywhere other than in my ads or my blog so here goes:

Before we had currency, and before all were well off enough to posess it, we humans used the barter system. I'm sure I don't need to explain it but, in a nutshell, instead of paying for goods and services with cash, another good or service of equal value would be given as payment. For example, if I had an abundance of cattle but desired some chickens, I could trade one of my cows for X number of chickens to someone who was interested in owning a cow of his or her own. Both parties were hapy as they then each posessed a source of milk and egg layers. (Please bear with me, I do have a point)

My question is, how would something similar be viewed today? Obviously I'm not suggesting an hour of PSE in exchange for a donkey but what if it were something more practical such as car repairs, legal help, rent, dentistry, tattooing, etc? What are your thoughts on this?

[Guest S****r]

I believe this discussion was brought up before and mod would not approve it

[roamingguy 300292]

Here is the thread on negotiating...overall a very heated discussion with most against it

 

http://www.cerb.ca/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=141558&highlight=negotiating

 

RG

[MightyPen 67414]

I think it's totally fine if both parties are comfortable with it. What two people choose to exchange is entirely between them. After all, what's the difference between asking for $500, versus something you both agree is worth $500?

 

Part of the trick, though, is agreeing beforehand on what's really worth $500, plus ensuring that Service B really does get performed following the delivery of Service A. There can be a lot of practical problems making service-barter work in real life.

 

Currency is immediate and convenient, which is one of the reasons it's so popular in general. ;)

 

Incidentally I voted "no opinion" because I don't think is a bad idea, nor a great idea, just a bit tricky and situational.

[Brad 49548]

I think it's one of those ideas that is good and fine in theory (MightyPen as usual summed it up well) but I would say likely to be bad in actual practice.

 

I think the can of worms it would open is that it would encourage too many guys to start offering services in return instead of the requested donation amount. It's all too easy to picture a fellow telling one lady how "the other lady agreed if I washed her dishes and walked her dog I'd get 30 minutes!" Or "you let my friend have time with you for court-side tickets, why can't I??"

 

It's my opinion that it's a lady's right to decide what her time is worth--be that a $ amount or some other good or service. And if the only time such an exchange happened was a when a lady specifically advertised for such, then it may not be too bad. But as I say, doing so comes with the risk that it will increase how often guys try such negotiations when it's not appropriate or wanted.

[roamingguy 300292]

I would just add to MightyPen's comment that since it is the lady who determines what her rate is, it is up to her to offer bartering as an option for paying the donation. It isn't up to a client/prospective client to offer to pay via bartering, it reeks of negotiating. And most ladies have it in their websites no negotiating.

It would be tricky to, pardon the pun, negotiate a bartering arrangement where both parties have a mutually benefited. The simplest thing is to pay the lady's rate. If the lady needs a certain service she has the money from paid encounters to pay for the service.

My barter arrangement then would be I'll provide you with X amount of dollars for Y amount of your time LOL

A rambling

 

RG

[Phaedrus 209521]

Part of the trick, though, is agreeing beforehand on what's really worth $500, plus ensuring that Service B really does get performed following the delivery of Service A. There can be a lot of practical problems making service-barter work in real life.

 

True. Plus the need to spend time haggling every time you do it, since you can't have an up-front rate for your time if you don't know what you're going to be exchanging it for. I get the impression most ladies aren't fond of haggling.

[Meaghan McLeod 179664]

Gawd - great idea in theory, but difficult to finalize.

 

I would never want someone to approach me to barter my services. Period.

 

If however I choose to ask my regular if he wants to barter with me, that would be my decision. I would never do it though.

 

I would prefer to pay for things with cash. Easier Imo.

[MightyPen 67414]

I would never want someone to approach me to barter my services. Period.

Incidentally, part of my premise was that the SP was interested in doing this in the first place (which Layah seemed to be saying).

 

As you and RG touch upon, no client should be introducing barter as a negotiating tactic. (Or negotiating at all.)

 

• "Hey, I got this '79 Ford Pinto..."
   
  
• "I'm really ace with a Bedazzler; I could add studs and rhinestones to change your wardrobe from dull to daring!"
  

Ew.

 

Stay classy, my friends! ;)

[Mikeyboy 27133]

I would just add to MightyPen's comment that since it is the lady who determines what her rate is, it is up to her to offer bartering as an option for paying the donation. It isn't up to a client/prospective client to offer to pay via bartering, it reeks of negotiating. And most ladies have it in their websites no negotiating.

It would be tricky to, pardon the pun, negotiate a bartering arrangement where both parties have a mutually benefited. The simplest thing is to pay the lady's rate. If the lady needs a certain service she has the money from paid encounters to pay for the service.

My barter arrangement then would be I'll provide you with X amount of dollars for Y amount of your time LOL

A rambling

 

RG

 

I don't think the intention of this thread and that are the same. Sure some negotiation would be involved with a barter system, but not in the way the other question was asked. That had to do with haggling down prices, which is down right insulting in my book. That implies a hobbiest looked at a posted rate and asking for a lesser price. Bartering simply implies alternative means of compensation than money that is agreed upon by both parties.

 

So what if an sp posted in an ad saying: my rate is x $, however "if you're a mechanic, I'm having trouble getting my engine revving", or "if you know about roofing, I'm getting wet in all the wrong places", would there be an issue with that?

 

Obviously it would have to be agreed upon by both. Showing up with a vase that you figure is worth a certain amount would not be cool if she is expecting cash. But otherwise, why not? Modern currency is merely a means to standardize transactions and ultimately, make them fairly taxable. I don't see an issue if it is good for both and agreed upon. It may however open doors for the other type of haggling mentioned above.

 

Edit: sorry, meant to quote rg's original post. Stupid smart phones. ;)

[MightyPen 67414]

BITCOIN!

 

'Cause it's 2014, and no thread is complete without a Bitcoin reference. :)

[Phaedrus 209521]

BITCOIN!

 

'Cause it's 2014, and no thread is complete without a Bitcoin reference. :)

 

No! Titcoin!

[cinelli 22184]

I have exchanged labour for services but it was at the Sp's request.

 

If both parties are okay with it, fine.

[Miss Jessica Lee 43328]

Anyone here on ITEX?

 

I'm seriously considering becoming a member :D

[Guest Cr**gCa***ng]

Once again I find myself in total agreement with you and that you have articulated it better than I ever could...good job as we are sooo smart!! LOL ;)

 

I think it's totally fine if both parties are comfortable with it. What two people choose to exchange is entirely between them. After all, what's the difference between asking for $500, versus something you both agree is worth $500?

 

Part of the trick, though, is agreeing beforehand on what's really worth $500, plus ensuring that Service B really does get performed following the delivery of Service A. There can be a lot of practical problems making service-barter work in real life.

 

Currency is immediate and convenient, which is one of the reasons it's so popular in general. ;)

 

Incidentally I voted "no opinion" because I don't think is a bad idea, nor a great idea, just a bit tricky and situational.

 

Additional Comments:

Anyone here on ITEX?

 

I'm seriously considering becoming a member :D

 

First I heard of it Jessica so I googled it and found http://www.itex.com/

 

The problem I see with bartering is the valuation of the goods or services being exchanged. I'll stick with cash as I love my goats and sheep too much to part with them, but I may have a cranky cat I could exchange. LOL

[Mec88 331]

While this may be ok if both parties are totally clear on the the agreed arrangement with something like a vehicle repair or a home repair but there is always a possibility of unforeseen problems during a repair. I'm sure some of you have been in the situation where you have had some kind of job done and the final bill ends up being more than the original quote. It's complicated and may change the SP client relationship.

[Miss Jessica Lee 43328]

 

First I heard of it Jessica so I googled it and found http://www.itex.com/

 

The problem I see with bartering is the valuation of the goods or services being exchanged. I'll stick with cash as I love my goats and sheep too much to part with them, but I may have a cranky cat I could exchange. LOL

 

my rates won't change on ITEX, I would receive the same number of dollars just in virtual format. I can then spend my ITEX dollars on services I would normally pay cash for.... car detaililng, spa services, hotel accommodations etc.. it's not a direct trade between two individuals, it's a trade into a virtual spending pool.

 

It's a fabulous idea :D

[Guest Cr**gCa***ng]

Interesting concept for sure as I just read through the website...like I said this is the first I heard of it. Thx! I wanted to add that I voted "no opinion" on the subject as I am not sufficiently informed. Like everything there's pros and cons...for some it might work and for others it might not.

 

my rates won't change on ITEX, I would receive the same number of dollars just in virtual format. I can then spend my ITEX dollars on services I would normally pay cash for.... car detaililng, spa services, hotel accommodations etc.. it's not a direct trade between two individuals, it's a trade into a virtual spending pool.

 

It's a fabulous idea :D

[Escapefromstress 2976]

I've successfully bartered for services with clients. Sometimes I initiated the trade and sometimes the client suggested it first if they knew I needed help. Worked out really well every time.

[Guest S****r]

I have had the same experience and it has worked out. An electrician did some work for me that I couldn't afford. Someone else painted a bedroom for me and did handywork jobs that I couldn't do or didn't have the tools for. But it has to be someone that I really trust because then they are moving from my work space into my personal space.

 

One guy made me a bad offer that I did not accept as he wanted to exchange hour for hour, which was stupid, cause I could pay someone far less to do it at their regular rate. This was from some stranger online.

 

There is also Ottawa Barter in Ottawa. http://www.ottawabarter.com/ Uses virtual points or whatever they call them. I have never had the nerve to apply as an escort, though.

 

Seems too risky at this point in history.

 

I've successfully bartered for services with clients. Sometimes I initiated the trade and sometimes the client suggested it first if they knew I needed help. Worked out really well every time.

[piano8950 32577]

I think if two consenting adults come up with an agreement, then no one else needs to concern themselves with it. The same sort of logic for cash would apply here obviously - an SP/MA can set their requirement, and it would be up to the client to decide if he/she wants to engage in that agreement.

[Guest *Ste***cque**]

I haven't checked out this virtual barter site but one on one, face to face bartering has a few things that need to be considered beforehand.

This should only be initiated by the SP, otherwise it's haggling the price.

How can you be sure that the bartered service's value hasn't been inflated, which can lower the value of your service in the exchange.

If it's a car repair, lawyer, etc., you lose the anonymity you enjoy otherwise.

Finally and obviously, make sure you get your service first.

[Guest *l**e]

I've been approached for barter for massage, and personal training. I think it works great, but as many have said, it's up to the 2 individuals to decide how their respective products, services or time relate to one another in order to create a fair deal.

If that is done respectfully, bartering can be very beneficial to both parties

[Andee 220524]

I believe this discussion was brought up before and mod would not approve it

 

It is against CERB rules for clients to solicit providers with a barter proposal or negotiate their posted rates.

 

It is not against the rules for a lady to advertise a barter proposal. Then the guys can respond accordingly because she initiated it.

 

Carrie Moon had an ad once bartering for reduced rate on her services if someone would come and shovel her driveway.

[Guest Cr**gCa***ng]

I think if two consenting adults come up with an agreement, then no one else needs to concern themselves with it. The same sort of logic for cash would apply here obviously - an SP/MA can set their requirement, and it would be up to the client to decide if he/she wants to engage in that agreement.

 

Exactly, if it works it works. Both parties are in agreement and are satisfied with the transaction for all the good reasons, yay!