Many Turning To Barter in Tight Economy

Businesses are turning to barter as a way to increase sales, obtain new customers, and obtain products and services that would otherwise need to be delayed because of limited cash flow. Individuals are also using barter to sell unwanted items and obtain the things they want without spending cash.

EDMONTON, Alberta January 20 2004-- Slow sales after the holiday season mean cash flow is challenged, but that does not mean you cannot do business. Individuals and businesses have discovered they do not need cash to complete transactions.

Barter is the art of trading what you have for what you want, and it is now the preferred currency of many entrepreneurs who prefer to keep their money in the bank as they expand their business.

People and businesses wanting to barter with each other are not confined to directly exchanging goods and services one to one, or even face to face. Barter has evolved to a new level made possible by the Internet and the innovations of modern traders, explained Hal Tagg of Platinum Barter Exchange Inc. in Edmonton.

There is no need for businesses wanting to trade with each other to be in the same city, or even the same country to conduct an exchange. If, for example, you live in Edmonton, you can sell your surplus inventory to someone in Vancouver who pays you in trade credits instead of dollars.

Then you can take those trade credits and use them to purchase advertising services you need from a company locally, or even outside the country. Your trade dollars enable you to make your purchase sooner, because you did not need to use cash. The advertising you purchase through trade will bring you new cash-paying customers.

Trading enables you to get rid of idle inventory, find a new customer, and obtain trade credits you can now use to get what you need from someone else. Your new customer obtains needed supplies without spending cash, and you get a new customer as well as trade credits to obtain what you need without cash.

I have a small business, and money is extremely tight. I was stuck with the problem of needing advertising to obtain customers, but there just was no cash available to make that happen, explained Claudette Leduc, of Dermal Patches.

Platinum Barter Exchange has created a web site that members use to list what they have to offer. Anyone can search the available products and services. When you find something you want, PBXBarter.com handles the transaction and keeps an account of trade dollars available to each member.

Platinum Barter Exchange is not only open to business owners. Anyone with something to sell is encouraged to sell for trade dollars.

Once you participate in a trade or two you will come to know how fantastic it is to trade what you offer for what you need. Once you start you will use it more and more, said Steve Hudson of Y2Marketing, the nations fastest growing marketing firm.

Everything you normally pay cash for you can obtain with trade credits. Your office furniture, computer repair, software, phone system, electrical services, painting contractor, art for your walls, and professional services like accountants, lawyers and cleaning services can all be obtained through trade, said Mike Howes of Sparklean Carpet Cleaning.

Members also trade for meals at restaurants, resort and hotel stays, and even cars and boats. Many people even trade for hot tubs, mattresses, and contact lenses. If you need it, there is a good chance you can find it either already available on the exchange, or if you let us know we can try and find it for you. This is the real cashless society, said Tagg.
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Contact:
Hal Tagg, Platinum Barter Exchange Inc., Phone 780-968-2283

David M. Bresnanan, (801) 562-5362
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