Barter Systems, Trading What You Have For What You Want
Bartering has been around literally forever or nearly so. In fact, bartering predates the use of formal currency as a measure of exchange for labor or goods.
What is bartering? Simply put, its the exchange of goods or services without the use or exchange of formal currency. You may, for example, barter with a friend to mow your lawn in exchange for babysitting her children for two hours. Or, in a more formal arrangement, you may barter with your landlord to do maintenance or repairs for other tenants in exchange for a reduction in rent. It remains a useful way to exchange goods or services without having to bring money into the equation.
Now, bartering has a new twist. With the advent of the Internet, online barter sites are showing up everywhere. Some sites are local, while others have a reach thats literally worldwide.
In general, these sites allow users to post ads on what they have to offer and what they would like in return. Some sites are free, while others charge a users fee. Care to Trade, at http://Caretotrade.com, is one example of a goods-exchange site. With Care to Trade, you can...