As more people have less cash, many of them are turning to bartering goods and services. It’s a bold leap back to the Iron Age for America’s formerly fastest-growing metropolis. From the LVRJ:
According to a craigslist spokeswoman, the site has seen a "significant growth in our bartering section as craigslist users get creative to keep their cash in their wallets during this troubling economy."
In November, 1,681 Las Vegans posted ads on craigslist offering trades. That's up from November 2007 when 1,081 ads were posted.
The Barrs placed an ad in December offering mechanical work, housecleaning, welding, yardwork or massage to anyone who had a Barbie Power Wheels Jeep to trade. It was to be a gift for their 3-year-old daughter, one they couldn't afford to buy. They haven't found any takers, yet, but Amanda Barr says they've had many past successes.
"It's actually worked out really well," she says. "We helped people move last week and they said, 'Whatever we don't fit in the van, you guys can have.' "
They have traded for tools, dirt bikes, four wheelers, home goods and other items.
Wendy Mackin has a 65-inch HDTV. She bought it three years ago for $7,000 but wants to replace it. For two weeks, she tried to sell the TV but had no takers. Finally, Mackin offered it on craigslist in exchange for an exterior house paint job, landscape work, irrigation repair or other outside work.
The response was strong and immediate. She negotiated a deal with a licensed painter.
ReviewJournal.com – Living – MAKING ENDS MEET: BACK TO BARTERING.
Too bad there’s not a big demand for writing and editing services out there–it looks like I’ll just have to keep paying cash for everything. But if there are folks out there who’d be willing to trade for a high-energy, humorous forty-five minute talk on the history and secrets of casinos, shoot me an email.