Posted on Tuesday, April 14, 2009
MERIDIAN -- The oldest form of currency is making a comeback. Bartering was once the only way to do business -- then cash took over. But with the slumping economy, many people are using bartering as a way to get by. With the ability to post ads online for free, many business owners are taking advantage and posting not just their services -- but offers of trade.
They're bartering and it's bringing in business -- even if no cash is ever exchanged. "I kind of have a good mix of people who are willing to pay cash and people who are willing to barter, and so it kind of works out that I can help people like that and they give me things I need," said Ash Curry. Curry has received ATVs, carpet, a pool table, and a trailer -- all in exchange for concrete work. He's been advertising on Web sites like Craigslist for the past year and says a quarter of his business is coming from people wanting to make a trade. Curry is not alone, in fact, several goods and services are being traded.
Justin Peterson posts his window tinting service online every day. With his business down by 60 percent this year, he says it's a great way to get people in the door and get what he needs without spending a dime. "Generally it comes out a little bit better than if I was to have to pay it out of my pocket, it would cost me a little more," said Peterson. "It's the oldest form of currency, that's how people used to do it in the old day, it worked for them, that's how it should work for us," said Curry.
These men say they have turned down some jobs if the trade isn't equal to their services.
Curry says when he accepts items that he doesn't need, he eventually sells them online.
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