Thanks

These times call for barter and trade!

For those of you wondering how to set up your own barter club, there is some software I’ve helped to build over at curomuto.com barter exchange software. It’s built to handle direct barter and community currencies, and is priced to be affordable for average joes. We’ve also got a great resource section on our site for anyone interested in finding some of the most useful sites for learning about barter and community currencies.

THANKS for http://www.CraftyTrade.com (Kris) & http://www.commuto.com (Danny).
I love audiobooks and saw one called http://www.swapaudiobooks.com. I’ll check it out.
If anyone has one to recommend please do.

FREECYCLE: It’s all in the moderators. Our in Western Mass (Springfield area) are great. If you forget to put what city or region in the OFFER line they reject your post. No sob stories and they limit the number of WANTEDs.

LOCAL CURRENCIES: Yep. Ultimately what we all need are local currencies. They have tons of them over in Europe especially Germany. Basically they make trade so much easier. Neat looking magazine (Mark).

You didn’t include one resource that many of our friends enjoy: http://www.timebanks.org/

Time banks are community based groups that hold events, meetings and have a board, and members can make exchanges for various services. We have yet to make it to a meeting, since we usually find just what we need through Craig’s List, and Freecycle. I think it may come in handy when we have more time to give, as it is we barely have enough time to keep up with our own stuff!

It depends heavily on the moderators, if the moderators are not doing a good job or doing what they are supposed to be doing it will become a craigslist free for all.

The site is nicely organized into 4 different category searches for the specified type of interactions each user is seeking. You can decide to just learn or just teach. You can find those who would like to exchange lessons with what you are savvy/knowledgable in with something that you aren’t yet they otherwise are. You can link up with service professionals (like electricians, carpenters, etc.) and assist them for the day / project and in return get priceless exposure & training for your DIY projects at home (they benefit from the free help). Finally, there is a section called “SOCIALS” where you can find others in your area who have shared interests and would like to link up with others to ‘do’ what it is they mutually enjoy (i.e. hiking, knitting, playing poker, etc.). And actually, there’s a bartering section within this category for a number of things.

Again, it’s a new site, but I think once people like us take a look at it and get some postings on there, it could really take off and be a huge asset to us all who love to learn new things and engage in many different activities without the silly cost of paying to do so! I mean for goodness sakes, we all know something!

Hope to find others with the same interests as me! :)

Oh and Freecycle is not a bartering group, no trading is allowed.

One man’s trash, is another man’s treasure.

Mark
editor@ccmag.net

It seems like I should try Paperback Swap.

I’ve given away lots of stuff but it always more of a hassle these days. For some reason, some people seem to think that when you are giving them something free, it should be at their convenience only. Duh? I’m giving it away, the idea is you, if needed, adjust to my schedule.

As for getting things, I’ve given up trying. I used to answer ads that were literally posted a few minutes and still get no response. Too many people now vying for everything. And with the way email is setup, the LAST people to email actually get their emails read first. Early birds actually lose.

Now, I’m just giving away stuff to Salvation Army and local thrift shops. It’s easier than dealing with all these folks who for the most part are just often a pain to deal with (don’t show up when they say they will, etc.) And though the selection there is no longer very good (the people who work there and their friends pick over the donations. Not supposed to, but they do and with the new upscale “volunteers”, forget about it), I can still find some bits every now and then. (A few years ago it used to be fantastic. Now there is less good stuff and more people looking for it.)

I think it’s a sign of the times. A lot of people are desperate but many are using tough times as an excuse for trying to coax stuff out of people even when they do have money. I don’t mind helping someone who really needs it. I have a problem with people who do have the means/resources to buy stuff. Let the folks who really need it get it.

My experience: People who really need stuff? They hate asking. Hate, hate, hate it. And they really don’t beg or give the equivalent of sob stories.

They’re far too embarassed and ashamed to want anyone to know.

And they are the folks who are extremely polite, keep their word and are very appreciative.

Craigslist is hit and miss. I’ve had terrific experiences and awful ones. You really do get a sense from how they respond initially to your request. The worst is the folks who play everyone against each other for availability or price. And promise you something, then say: Oh, it’s gone.

The key is being super polite and also dealing with people who really want to do this, which is not always the case. (They get into a mode for decluttering, it seems, then don’t want to be bothered with the work of bartering, selling, etc.)

Love paperback swap. Most members send stuff in great shape. But again, you’ve got people who are now recylcing stuff they’ve gotten from garage sales, etc. (Smelly, dirty, yes, actual MOLD, books from some people. You have to be upfront that you won’t accept certain conditions.)

anyway – for kids stuff – it’s WAY better than freecycle. :)