How to create a generic View for different Models?

Comprehensive report of barter exchange business models andnetworks (sites)

• I am conducting research on barter exchange networks. I would like a comprehensive report of business models that involve bartering. The report should include a link to the web page that describes the business model and a brief description of that model, highlighting what differentiates it from other similar businesses. A summary of the listing and transaction fees should be included as well. This report should not be restricted to websites, but should also include patent applications or whitepapers that have been published on the internet, technical reports, published information or web sites describing barter/exchange models, any generic write-ups and/or messge exchanges on bulletin boards regarding bartering/exhanges. In other words, the emphasis must be on business models rather than on a list of existing businesses. Other than the patent applications, all this information should be accessible via Google. Contact me for information on how to search patents if you haven't done this before. The report should include both consumer-to-consumer and business-to-business barter models. I included below a sample of such entries for the final report. 1. http://www.swapthing.com/corporate/swap_Instructions.jsp Straightforward bartering, no unusual concepts. Users can offer one or more items in exchange for each item. Free to list and join. Both seller and buyer are charged $1 each after a successful transaction ($10 if the transaction involves services rather than goods). 2. http://www.mydrew.com/help/how_it_works.htm Uses the concept of 6 degrees of separation to create private barter networks that are accessible only to their members (public bartering is also allowed). Members can offer items or cash in exchange for an item they want. Members are rated after each transaction in a way similar to eBay. Seller is charged $1.50 for each successful transaction. No other fees. 3. http://www.u-exchange.com/howitworks.asp Very basic listing site (free), does not seem to get involved in the transaction at all (members contact each other and take it from there). Makes money from Google AdWords listings on the site. 4. http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?patentnumber=5592376 Patent covers a virtual currency management and accounting system for use in barter and other non-traditional exchanges. Abstract: The Currency Exchange Network transaction management and accounting system assists businesses, employees, and consumers to engage in productive economic activity that is not supported by traditional cash- and credit-based transaction systems. The system functions as a currency exchange between the non-cash, volunteer and barter economies and the mainstream cash economy. This dual-currency system handles transactions for goods and services using a combination of cash and Community Economic Development Scrip, a new currency based on non-cash service credits.

• Answer:

  Hello arosca-ga, This has been a tough search . I took to heart your request that you wanted to understand the business models involved with barter exchange networks rather than just a list of sites. Just as you said, there are lots of directories available to help you find barter exchange web sites. It?s somewhat tougher to find market research information, statistics, market reports, case studies or white papers on the subject of barter exchange. In your question you indicated that a listing of web sites demonstrating various business models along with a short explanation of each would meet your needs. As I was doing my research I concluded that this didn?t make sense if I wanted to give you a good overview of what is involved with the barter industry. I first took a close look at the web sites you offered as examples of variety in barter approaches. I discovered that the first three are all less than six months old and are consumer or small business barter sites. This is a small segment of the barter industry. The fourth site you offered took me into the world of alternate/complementary currencies. Clearly, there was a lot to explore. My research leads me to believe that there is a lot of hope and hype around the barter industry but the prospects for it are very much up in the air. The consumer barter sites that originated in the late nineties were all pretty much wiped out in the dot-com bust. The ones that had worthwhile enabling technology went forward with leveraging that capability. Some were acquired by stronger, bigger traditional trade exchange or barter companies. Many simply vanished. This is especially true of the consumer-to-consumer barter/swap sites. Part of the reason for this is the rise of eBay. As eBay grew it heavily impacted not just the consumer oriented barter sites but also started competing with the more commercial business-to-business trade organizations. What?s going to happen next is not clear. There has been tremendous consolidation in the barter/trade exchanges and some pundits predict that a small handful will survive. Auction houses, especially eBay are still a major competitor. Note that last week at its eBay Live conference, eBay announced the launch of ProStores for small to medium businesses. This capability could entice SMB?s to move from barter to opening their own online store linked to eBay. http://www.ecommerce-guide.com/essentials/ebay/article.php/3515221 Live from San Jose: eBay Launches ProStores for SMBs By Devin Comiskey June 24, 2005 I?ve organized the material I?ve collected so that explore that topic step-by-step. Here is what I?ve got for you: -- AROSCA-GA?S SAMPLE SITES ? Review of your websites and issues and questions raised. -- BARTER EXCHANGE ? DEFINITIONS, TERMINOLOGY, CONCEPTS AND ASSOCIATED BUSINESS MODELS ? Review of the vocabulary used in the industry and overview of broad categories derived from industry web sites and papers along with alternate, less common classifications. Direct Barter vs. Trade Exchanges Consumer vs. Business Barter or Trade Exchanges Tangible Products vs. Service Products Tangible Products vs. Perishables Retail/Commercial Barter or Trade Exchanges Corporate Barter or Trade Exchanges Countertrade Exchanges -- ALTERNATE MONETARY SYSTEMS ? Overview of current status of these systems. -- BARTER EXCHANGE ? UNIVERSAL CURRENCIES ? These currencies are emerging for trade exchange networks -- BARTER EXCHANGE ? COMPLEMENTARY CURRENCIES ? These currencies are used in community oriented applications. -- BARTER EXCHANGE ? MAJOR PLAYERS ? Review of the leaders in the commercial sector. -- BARTER EXCHANGE ? ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES ? Some of these are emerging as key players and competitors and/or partners in the industry. -- BARTER EXCHANGE -- DIRECTORIES, PORTALS, ORGANIZATIONS ? These websites should be very helpful for continuing your explorations. -- BARTER EXCHANGE ? ARTICLES, PUBLICATIONS, RESOURCES ? I was able to find some excellent articles and reports and a few white papers and case studies. As you can see, figuring out what are the basic business models is more complex than you would expect, although barter and trade exchanges can be put into highly simplified categories depending on what lens you want to use. Here are some options. You can look at barter divided into two classes, direct or trade exchange. Direct barter is ?I trade something for something you have.? There is no cash payment involved. A variation is to offer a trade exchange where cash payment is permitted. But then we?re approaching an auction system. The alternative to direct barter is using a trade exchange where each member earns trade currency for their sales which they can use for their purchases. Since direct barter is very cumbersome, trade exchanges arose to help facilitate bartering. At first trade exchanges were local and were organized to help merchants in the community to exchange goods and services. The exchange kept track of who bought and sold what. The accounting was done in trade dollars. There are very few direct trade web sties. Most use some kind of trade exchange. As trade exchanges grew and with the advent of the Internet it became possible to interact with people farther away, it became necessary to develop methods for accepting trade dollars from other exchanges. This trend is growing and the leaders in the industry are developing universal currencies. The trade associations for the industry are also behind this movement. Another way of classifying barter exchanges is to categorize them as consumer or business oriented. The possibilities are C2C, B2C AND B2B. There are very few consumer to consumer barter exchanges, more business to consumer but the majority of barter exchanges are business to business. These are classified into commercial/retail or corporate. The corporate sector has grown tremendously and there has been a lot of consolidation in the industry. This is driven by globalization and the emergence of enabling technologies. There is another twist on barter with the emergence of community development barter systems that use alternate or complementary currencies. One example is time dollars. As you can see, getting a comprehensive report on barter exchange systems is a huge project. I?ve given you a basic introduction and provided a lot of links so that you can continue your explorations on the facets of this subject that interest you the most. This is a changing field and there may be some issues that I failed to cover. Please don?t hesitate to ask for clarification if any of this isn?t clear. Wishing you well for your research project. ~ czh ~ ======================== AROSCA-GA?S SAMPLE SITES ======================== Review of your websites and issues and questions raised. http://pdfserver.prweb.com/pdfdownload/255593/pr.pdf SwapThing Experiences Unprecedented Growth and Momentum - Under-the-Radar Company Redefines Age Old Practice of Barter CUPERTINO, CA (PRWEB) June 28, 2005 -- SwapThing, Inc., the premier online swap market, enabling individuals, collectors, enthusiasts, businesses and communities to swap goods and services, announced today an unprecedented wave of growth since its inception in January 2005. A growing user base, new retail partners, enticing partner programs, world-class technology and industry expertise all add to the mounting evidence of a burgeoning Swapping revolution. http://techstartups.blogspot.com/2005/06/swapthingcom.html Wednesday, June 01, 2005 SwapThing.com "Used books to music LPs and CDs; trading cards and comic books to home and garden items; and children's clothing to antiques and personal services. Swap the things you have for the things you want, save cash. It is easy to get started: " The dirt: -- Management does not have domain expertise in the space. -- Key to their model is scale and recurring usage from existing and new members. -- Swapthing will compete head on with the likes of craigslist and even ebay down the road. -- User interface is average. ------------------------ http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/1/prweb201279.htm New Web Site Makes Swapping Items and Services Easy for Consumers and Small Businesses SwapThing.com Enables Users to Swap Unwanted Items for Things They Need Cupertino, CA (PRWEB) January 26, 2005 -- SwapThing.com officially launched today, giving individual consumers and small businesses the ability to swap goods and services quickly, efficiently and affordably. ***** SwapThing is a very new company and has fierce competition. ------------------------------------------------- http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/3/prweb222899.htm Internet's Consumer Trading Site Goes Live (PRWEB) March 30, 2005 -- After 5 months of consumer beta testing, Mydrew.com has gone live. Mydrew.com was developed as the Internet's Consumer Trading Site. It is not an auction, it is however the auction alternative. Market research has shown that consumers are growing wary of auction sites where price fixing and bid jumping were common practice. The founders of Mydrew had developed the site solely with the consumer in mind. The company provides a technological advance trading platform where members can buy, sell and trade goods and services over the internet with other members. ***** This is an even newer company and it?s difficult to guess its prospects. It?s competing in the same space as SwapThing. ------------------------------------------------- http://www.whois.net/whois.cgi2?d=u-exchange.com Registrant: John Moore 43 Memory Lane Cambridge, ON N3C3X7 Canada Registrar: DomainPeople Inc. Domain Name: u-exchange.com Created on .............Tue Sep 21 08:18:14 2004 Expires on .............Wed Sep 21 11:18:14 2005 Record last updated on .Tue Dec 07 08:45:13 2004 ------------------------ http://newyork-press-release.com/12/SMALL%20BUSINESS%20BARTERING%20MADE%20SIMPLE%20AND%20AFFORDABLE,%20u-exchange.com%20Is%20Ready%20For%20Business.php SMALL BUSINESS BARTERING MADE SIMPLE AND AFFORDABLE u-exchange.com Is Ready For Business Released on = April 20, 2005, 1:55 pm U-Exchange.com combines business bartering with consumers to open new trading possibilities. Cambridge, Ontario? Small businesses that barter gain new customers. www.u-exchange.com provides small business owners with a platform for exchanging goods and services for a very small fee. ?We supply a meeting ground for people who enjoy bartering, a membership gives access to contact information, and they set up the trade between themselves,? says Owner John Moore. ?It?s a simple and ancient way to do business,? he adds. U-Exchange is also an affordable way to do business. ?Once a company becomes a member there are no transaction fees, no commissions, and no pressure to make a trade,? says Moore. There are no borders at U-Exchange because businesses can barter on a local, regional, national, or international level. ***** This is another brand new company with no track record competing in a very tough market. ------------------------------------------------- http://www.cebcglobal.org/Publications/ExecutiveSummary/EXS_0694.htm New Currency System Adds Economic-And Social-Value There is a new economic development game in town. It's called the Currency Exchange Network, and it's the brainchild of Joel Hodroff and Minnesota-based Commonweal, Inc. One reason this new model looks so promising is that it requires neither tax nor charitable subsidies. It is entirely market driven. June 1994 Center for Ethical Business Cultures ------------------------ http://ceres.ca.gov/tcsf/pathways/chapter2.html#herodollars Designing Bioregional Economies in Response to Globalization © 1999 HeroDollars: A Complementary Currency Design by Commonweal, Inc., of Minneapolis ------------------------ http://le.org.nz/tiki-index.php?page=CommonWeal The Commonweal Service Dollar of Minneapolis, Minnesota This is a currency based on the idea that you can earn time dollars and then have them put on a credit card. It uses a specially invented dual currency credit card, a Herocard, together with patented card-reading technology for merchants to receive volunteer hours as part payments for goods and services in Commonweal Service Dollars (C$Ds). Launched as a trial in February 1997, and formally in 1998, this currency enables charity volunteers to use Herocards and have their balance updated instantly as they shop from store to store Volunteers are 'paid' for their contributions to the community. Volunteer organisations issue Herocards to volunteers and report each volunteer's hours to Commonweal. Commonweal credits the volunteer's account on a Herocard electronic network. They are awarded C$D10 for every hour worked. ***** This is a current web site that seems to say that the Commonweal Currency Exchange Network is still in use. ================================================================= DEFINITIONS, TERMINOLOGY, CONCEPTS AND ASSOCIATED BUSINESS MODELS ================================================================= General Introduction -------------------- Review of the vocabulary used in the industry and overview of broad categories derived from industry web sites and papers along with alternate, less common classifications. http://www.irta.com/Page.asp?Script=2 What is Reciprocal Trade? Reciprocal Trade is also known as barter trade, or commercial barter trade or corporate trade. For centuries, barter has been an effective way for businesses to work together. It used to be ?direct trade? when people swapped one thing for another. However, since not all direct trades are done of equal value (not to mention the challenge of finding someone who has what you need and wants what you have), modern day barter has evolved considerably to become a proven method of increasing sales, conserving cash, moving inventory, and making use of excess production capacity for businesses around the world. All of this can be done through a commercial trade exchange or corporate barter company. ------------------------------------------------- http://www.barternews.com/visitor.htm Introduction To Bartering Commercial barter or business barter is done on three levels. You can learn about the three different ways by going to our home page and referring to: A. Trade Exchange Section B. Corporate Barter Section C. Countertrade Section ------------------------------------------------- http://www.ntatrade.com/company_overview.htm NTA Trading Program -- Corporate Trade Model -- Retail Trade Model -- Hospitality Trade Model ------------------------------------------------- http://www.bentleycommerce.com/about.html Strategy for Planned Success: Bentley Commerce has mapped its plan to successful world dominance in the barter sector by combining all aspects of trade with an online trade marketplace, a trade exchange management system, multiple payment methods, and knowledge transfer, giving exchanges and businesses the tools, technologies and knowledge they need to succeed. Unlike other barter business models that have unsuccessfully attempted to acquire exchanges, franchise or launch an online only exchange without brokers, Bentley's model is to empower already existing independent exchanges and trade brokers and new emerging exchanges to all collaborate in a unified global trade marketplace, and like Visa, MasterCard and American Express, take just a little piece of each and every purchase and/or sale on all barter transactions processed throughout the world. --------------------------------- Direct Barter vs. Trade Exchanges --------------------------------- http://www.barternews.com/trade_exchanges.htm Trade Exchanges Trade exchanges, initially known as barter clubs when the concept was introduced 42 years ago, now number over 500 nationally. Although independently operated, their collective client base forms a "business-to-business" network comprised of an estimated 450,000 companies (retailers, services, and manufacturers). When trading through a trade exchange members have the opportunity to make multi-lateral trades?rather than one-on-one trades. Which means many greater options are available to you. That's because when you make a trade with another party within the exchange you do not take their product as a payment, but rather you receive trade dollars. Those trade dollars are deposited by the exchange into your account, and are then available for spending within the exchange. As a member you can spend your trade dollars with others within the exchange whenever you wish to buy their products or services. The trade dollar is equivalent to one cash dollar for use of accounting purposes. Sales are normally made at full retail with a 10% to 15% cash commission paid to the exchange for its services. Under the Tax & Equity Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 (TEFRA Act) trade exchanges are classified as third-party record keepers, having the same fiduciary obligations as bankers and stock (securities) brokers. For tax purposes trade dollars are taxable in the year they are "earned" and reported as such on 1099-B forms to the IRS. ***** Browse the long list of articles discussing trade exchanges. ----------------------------------------------- Consumer vs. Business Barter or Trade Exchanges ----------------------------------------------- http://www.tradeaway.com/ Trade Away ------------------------ http://www.tradeaway.com/fees.phtml TradeAway Fees Standard Listings - $3.00 Registering on TradeAway is always FREE. New TradeAway members will receive their initial listing FREE. Standard/General Listings are $3.00 per listing. Your ad will stay on TradeAway until your ad expires, or until you delete the ad. Pay only $9.95 if you would like to post unlimited ads for 180 days and $14.95 if you would like to post unlimited ads for 365 days! ***** See page for additional fees ------------------------ http://www.tradeaway.com/TradeCreditInfo.phtml What are TradeCredits? TradeAway TradeCredits can be used to purchase other items, services and real estate on TradeAway from users that have agreed to sell all or a portion of their listing with TradeCredits. TradeCredits can be spent immediately or held for future use to buy items, services or real estate from other TradeAway users that may be willing to accept TradeCredits. You may also make offers to any TradeAway user referring them to this page. These users may or may not agree to the sale of their item for TradeCredits. ***** See page for additional details about trade credit and cash options. ***** This is an example of a basic consumer to consumer site. Individuals or small businesses post items for sale for a small fee and can either accept trade credits or ask for cash. ------------------------------------------------- http://www.bentleycommerce.com/ Bentley's Trade Exchange Network Bentley's Exchange Network is comprised of 180 independent barter exchanges and about 50,000 small to midsize businesses that trade through them, representing approximately 30 percent of the barter exchanges in the USA, and 50 percent of those in Canada. Bentley's Global Trade Marketplace Bentley's Global Trade Marketplace is comprised of 72 online exchanges and about 15,000 small to midsize businesses that trade through them. Bentley Commerce enables the members of these exchanges to manage their trade account online and to trade in a collaborative trade marketplace with other members in other exchanges throughout the world in addition to the exchanges in the Bentley Trade Exchange Network. ------------------------------------------------- https://www.ctebarter.com/static/company_info/who_is_cte.php Continental Trade Exchange, Ltd. https://www.ctebarter.com/static/company_info/policies.php Exchange Rules and Regulations I. General 1. Nature of the Parties Continental Trade Exchange, Ltd. is a trading company that sponsors and manages a trade exchange (the "Exchange") and also acts as a clearinghouse and third-party recordkeeper of barter transactions among its clients, which are businesses that contract with CTE to organize and facilitate barter of their goods and services with other clients. "Client" is a business that has contracted with CTE to exchange its goods and/or services with other clients and wishes to subscribe to CTE's recordkeeping and barter services. The terms "Client" and "Member" may be used interchangeably in this agreement. 2. Nature of Trade Dollars Client will offer its products and/or services to other clients of CTE for Trade Credits (also referred to as "Trade Dollars") posted to Client's account pursuant to these Rules and Regulations. Neither CTE nor any Exchange members shall consider or treat Trade Dollars as legal tender, securities, or commodities, and cannot redeem them from the Exchange for cash. The terms "Trade Credits" or "Trade Dollars" refer to an accounting entry with an assigned arbitrary value which is used by all affected parties as a practical method of recording the value of every transaction which results in a transfer of goods or services between Exchange Clients. CTE specifically disclaims any responsibility for the negotiability of goods and services from any source. It is understood and agreed that Client may not be considered a creditor of CTE or the Exchange in relation to Client's ability or lack thereof to utilize or spend Trade Dollars in Client's account. Furthermore, Client recognizes and grants to CTE and its officers and directors the authority to regulate and control the amount of outstanding Trade Dollars in the barter network and to borrow and spend Trade Dollars in accordance with the rules, guidelines, and recommendations established by the National Association of Trade Exchanges II. Sales/Purchases 5. All Transactions are Between Buyer and Seller CTE shall use its reasonable efforts to administer the Exchange, however. it shall bear no responsibility for the quality of the products and/or services exchanged. Seller must furnish Buyer with all items relating to the purchase, including but not limited to materials, products, labor base price, sales taxes, etc. Seller will receive the full Trade Dollar value for the sale. The Seller must stand behind its products and/or services as with cash transactions, and the Buyer's sole remedy shall be against the Seller. In no event shall CTE be obligated to Client or Guarantor for any other Exchange member's breach of this Contract or of the Exchange Rules and Regulations. Both Buyer and Seller should protect themselves as they would in a cash transaction. Normal contracts. deposits, and agreement forms used in ordinary cash transactions should still be utilized, in addition to Exchange sales slips. Quite simply, all ordinary legal rights between a Buyer and Seller on an Exchange transaction remain the same as if it were a cash transaction. Only the method of payment is different, and CTE's stipulated forms, rules, and procedures must be adhered to. It is understood that CTE is not a party to any transaction between buyer and seller, but is merely a third party recordkeeper. ***** Be sure to read the whole website. This is one of the leading companies in the industry and the information about how they operate seems to be directly related to your question about business models. ------------------------------------------------- http://www.thebanc.com/files/BANCAPP.doc Barter Association National Currency Application Contract Agreement The Fiscal Philosophy The BANC shall operate as a zero (0) balance accounting system. The sum total of all positive and negative accounts shall equal zero (0) at all times. The BANC, itself, shall work from the NATE general operating account within the system. However, neither NATE nor The BANC shall not have a credit line and must operate from a positive trade balance status at all times. The Fee Structure The BANC offers three (3) different fee options for independent trade exchanges: -- Option One: $50 cash and $25 trade monthly, one-quarter of one percent (1/4%) in cash on purchases, one-quarter of one percent (1/4%) in trade on sales. -- Option Two: A flat fee of $150 cash billed each month, one-quarter of one percent (1/4%) in trade on sales and $25 trade monthly. This is an annual agreement, with monthly billings. -- Option Three: A annual flat-fee of $1,500 cash (only accepted between January 1 ?31) or a second half flat-fee of $750 cash (only accepted between July 1 ? 31) One-quarter of one percent (1/4%) in trade on sales and $25 trade monthly. Corporate barter companies, media brokers and all other members of The BANC shall pay, $50 cash and $25 trade monthly, one percent (1%) in cash on purchases and one percent (1%) in trade on sales. Interest Charges: All members who borrow from The BANC (use their credit lines) will be charged interest at a rate of one-half of one percent, (1/2%) in trade per month, on the outstanding negative balance in their account. The board of governors, with approval of the NATE board of directors, may change the interest rate from time to time in order to maintain the fiscal integrity of The BANC. Payment of BANC fees: All members shall be billed electronically at the beginning of the month. Members may submit payment by check until the 15th of the month. On the 16th of the month (or the next business day thereafter) The BANC administrator shall charge the member?s credit card for all fees due. Late Fees: Any member whose fees are not paid in the month due shall be charged a late payment fee of $10 cash and shall automatically have their credit line (if they have one) reduced by twenty percent (20%) for a period of not less than one year. These penalties shall reoccur each month that the fees are not paid on time. Any member who does not have, or does not wish to put up a credit card, must post a deposit of $250 cash with the National Association of Trade Exchanges and receive special approval by The BANC board of governors and the NATE board of directors. Such deposit shall not be considered as payment of fees and shall not be used as such unless member defaults on their account. ------------------------------------------------- http://www.itex.com/aboutus/ ITEX! Founded in 1982, ITEX is a leading marketplace for cashless business transactions across North America. ITEX processes over $170 million a year in transactions across 13,000 member businesses and sixty regional licensees. Member businesses increase sales and open new markets by utilizing ITEX Dollars to exchange goods and services. ITEX is powered by ITEX Payment Systems, the leading payment technology platform for powering cashless business transactions headquartered in Bellevue, Washington. Franchise Opportunities : Frequently Asked Questions What upfront investment is required? In addition to the $20,000 Franchise fee, there are the costs of setting up a basic office as outlined in the UFOC. Travel to Seattle for a week for training. On going business education from all sources is encouraged. How do I generate income? With ITEX there are three sources of revenue: new member application fees, association fees, and transaction fees. ITEX members pay an application fee to join the ITEX system. As they use the system, they are charged association fees every four weeks and transaction fees when they buy and sell. As an ITEX Franchisee you earn the majority of the total fees paid by your assigned ITEX members. Please review the UFOC for full details on these fees and the actual commission rates. In addition, as a member as well as a franchisee, you have the opportunity to trade products and services through the system. -------------------------------------- Tangible Products vs. Service Products -------------------------------------- http://barterco-op.com/ Trade what you HAVE or DO for the things you NEED and WANT....without spending cash! --------------------------------- Tangible Products vs. Perishables --------------------------------- http://www.vipbarter.com/ VIP Barter VIP Barter is a specialist in corporate barter. We have built a reputation that is synonymous with quality and reliability - we coordinate the distribution of your ?unsold inventory? through our clients and affiliate barter offices nationally. We only barter your ?unsold inventory? and we help you maximize your cash business and become more efficient. VIP Barter specializes in turning your company's ?unsold, perishable inventory" into "revenue generating assets." VIP Barter excels in converting your potential loss into a media purchase (radio, TV, billboards, newspapers, magazines) that will advertise your property and generate additional ?cash!? Think about this concept for a moment: VIP Barter turns your ?unsold, perishable inventory? into advertising to increase your occupancy rate by increasing your exposure to your client base! ------------------------------------------------- http://www.barternews.com/no_rooms_for_empty_hotel_rooms.htm There?s No Room For Empty Hotel Rooms! ------------------------------------------- Retail/Commercial Barter or Trade Exchanges ------------------------------------------- http://www.irta.com/Page.asp?Script=28 http://www.irta.com/Page.asp?Script=29 Commercial Barter Facts: -- Commercial barter may also be referred to as ?Retail Barter? -- A Commercial Barter Exchange is defined as a company that performs as a third party record keeper to facilitate transactions among members of the exchange using a non-cash currency called a trade credit. The barter company may be a member of the exchange, using the exchange currency to buy and sell goods and services on its own account. -- Commercial barter exchanges typically employ trade brokers. Trade brokers communicate information between members to facilitate trades. For example, a broker will put a member who is looking to purchase auto repair in touch with a member who they know provides auto repair. ------------------------------------------------- http://www.internationalmonetary.com/ IMS History Trade exchanges, or barter networks, are financial service firms that permit companies and individuals to exchange goods and services utilizing an electronic currency known as "trade dollars" (T$), which are used in lieu of cash to purchase the various offerings of other members of the barter network. Because trade exchanges enable companies to generate new business, conserve cash, and convert excess inventory and capacity into needed goods or services, the barter industry continues to grow at a consistent pace. IMS' subsidiary, Continental Trade Exchange, is one of the world's largest barter systems, serving more than 8,500 business and service professionals throughout the U.S. Led by Don Mardak, former chairman of the National Association of Trade Exchanges (NATE), IMS has a seasoned management team with more than fifty years of combined industry experience. Through its customer-driven business model, the Company has grown more than 350% in the last five years and is well positioned to capitalize on a highly fragmented market. By expanding its network through strategic acquisitions, IMS expects to become the dominant player in the barter industry ----------------------------------- Corporate Barter or Trade Exchanges ----------------------------------- http://www.irta.com/Page.asp?Script=31 http://www.irta.com/Page.asp?Script=32 Corporate Barter Facts: -- A Corporate Barter Company is a company that takes a principle position in goods or services by purchasing these assets with trade credits and/or cash-equivalent credit (not trade dollars/pounds/marks, etc). These trade credits may be combined with cash when spent and can only be redeemed with the corporate barter company. -- Corporate barter is typically used to move excess capacity and under-performing assets. It differs from Commercial Barter because the Corporate Barter Company actually owns the asset(s) after they purchase it with trade credits or a blend of trade credits and cash. ------------------------------------------------- http://www.barternews.com/corporate_barter.htm Corporate Barter Corporate barter for the most part deals and focuses on "big business," companies with gross sales in excess of $10 million per annum. Larger companies, primarily manufacturers, will trade their excess inventory, rather than continuing to sell through usual distribution channels wherein they employ over-zealous discounting; scraping or junking and writing off the inventory completely; going outside normal markets, like selling to the third world export markets; selling to recyclers or going the auction route; employing commissioned brokers or consigning the inventory; donating the inventory to a charitable institution; or selling inventories to liquidators for pennies on the dollar and taking a substantial write-down. Through barter the manufacturers move their inventory to a corporate barter company (title changes hands) for trade credits, usually at wholesale or book value. Then the manufacturer spends the trade credits, with the assistance of the barter company, on a part cash/trade credit basis to make selected needed purchases. The technique is known as AR (accounts receivable) trading. To a lesser extent, barter brokers will assist companies by brining two parties together and collecting a cash fee for doing so. However, sometimes the fee is paid in "like-kind" inventory in lieu of cash, which enables the broker to build a "bank" of inventory. ***** Browse the long list of articles discussing corporate barter exchanges. ---------------------- Countertrade Exchanges ---------------------- http://www.barternews.com/countertrade.htm Countertrade Exchanges An umbrella concept that has come to mean all forms of reciprocal or compensatory trade arrangements. A countertrade contract or agreement, recognized under law, is used to denote the countertrade arrangement between two or more legally competent parties in proper form, such that either party may seek legal sanctions in a court for the other's non-performance. In the countertrade context, there are three contracts involved in most transactions. The first covers the underlying business transaction; the second covers the countertrade transaction and the third covers the protocol or linkage that ties the two together. Compensatory Arrangements: Also referred to as countertrade, reciprocal trade, offset, or counter purchase. A seller of a product or system (usually a multinational, diversified or decentralized company) is compelled by the buyer (usually a foreign government) into a direct or indirect reciprocal purchasing relationship as a condition of sale. Often the seller must agree to one of a number of possible arrangements: Local manufacturing of components related to the product or system (direct); Purchase of unrelated commodities (indirect); Purchase of unrelated manufactured goods (indirect); Transfer of technology/licensing/investments to the buyer country (direct or indirect); Create foreign exchange to facilitate original sale. (The seller would "sell" an unrelated product from Buyer Country first and then uses the resulting foreign exchange to help the Buyer pay for the product or system.) ***** Browse the long list of articles discussing countertrade exchanges. ========================== ALTERNATE MONETARY SYSTEMS ========================== Overview of current status of these systems. http://www.insyte.com/default1.htm Global Currency Exchange System The Payment Management System (PMS) is being developed for the London based Global Currency Exchange Network Ltd. (GCEN). GCEN provides worldwide payment and currency services for individuals and businesses for purchasing of foreign real estate, emigration, business payment transfers, payroll processing; any function requiring the transfer of funds in a variety of currencies. The Payment Management System is being developed to integrate and automate their payroll transfer service offered to clients worldwide. This service allows companies with staffing drawn from around the world to provide their employees with the ability to transfer funds to their banks in their home, or other, countries. Clients such as shipping lines, cruise lines, airlines, currently make use of this to provide enhanced payroll service for their employees to transfer allotments to a spouse or other family members, home mortgage or other loan payments, etc., while they are away from home. ------------------------------------------------- http://www.gcen.co.uk/ Global Currency Exchange Network (GCEN) ------------------------------------------------- http://www.scripxchange.com/ scripXchange is YOUR Personal Marketplace to Buy, Sell or Trade almost any established Private, Business or Government sanctioned Scrip or Currency in the World! ------------------------ http://www.scripxchange.com/index.cgi?PAGE=aboutus The Participants Until recent years the players in this unique market were exclusively retail barter firms, barter associations, buy-sell-trade companies and large corporations. Today the principal participants include: barter associations, barter firms, brokerage companies, buy-sell-trade companies, commercial banks, governments, multi-national and other corporations and individual participants. Recently, private individuals have been the driving force behind the growth of the market. Thanks to the boom in computer and communication technologies the liquidity of the scripXchange Market is now easily accessible to everyone. Transactions scripXchange is the newest traditional market place for trading, which brings buyers, sellers and traders together in a central location (a cyber trading floor). In addition, scripXchange is an over-the-counter market where participants conduct business over the telephone, computer terminals and via worldwide internet connections. Presently, transactions in the scripXchange market are only available in Spot Trading. However, in the near future, transactions can be made either through Spot Trading or Futures Trading. The difference between the scripXchange Spot Trade and Futures Trade Markets is that the Spot Market is available for settlement a short time after the "meeting of the minds" between two or more buyers, sellers or traders; while the Futures Market will have a settlement within scripXchange in 1 week, 2 weeks, 1, 3, 6 or 12 months or even longer. The most effective way to use scripXchange for short term trading is through Spot Trade Market transactions. ------------------------ http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:odYCLTe_E-8J:www.tradeworldnews.net/index.php+%22barter+OR+bartering+industry%22+trends&hl=en JOHNNY BLUESTAR INTERVIEW -- John LeVoie, Founder of ScripXchange I guess we should start by asking you to define ?near money,? the types of instruments you deal with in www.scripXchange.com? Near money is a liquid asset that is not cash but can be readily converted into cash or a cash equivalent. Near money instruments include bank deposits, barter scrip, due bills, ticket stock, treasury bills and stamps, to name a few. ====================================== BARTER EXCHANGE ? UNIVERSAL CURRENCIES ====================================== These currencies are emerging for trade exchange networks http://www.bentleycommerce.com/about.html Universal Trade Currency (UTC): At present, trading options are limited by the inventory available through a trade exchange or local broker and any other brokers that share a currency. A UTC removes these constraints, but current systems are basically manual and labor intensive. By providing members with an e-commerce enabled marketplace, the process can become much easier to use and therefore will become a continuous circle. As more transactions are completed, more inventory is made available, resulting in more transactions completed, and so forth. The value added, is that the system allows trade exchanges and corporate barter companies to maintain their own brand, independence and close relationships with their clients, yet it gives them world class online tools necessary to compete and excel. ------------------------------------------------- http://www.ucemarketplace.com/ The Universal Currency (The UC) The Universal Currency (the ?UC?) is a central accounting center for corporate barter companies and trade exchanges throughout the world. It allows member trade companies to expand their own members? ability to sell into new markets and purchase goods and services that are not available within their own system, while eliminating the inconvenience and confusion of individual reciprocal accounting. To accomplish the above mission, the IRTA Board of Directors established the Universal Currency in 1998. The UC has the support of many of the world?s top barter companies, and has grown from its original 35 participating companies to more than 100 member companies representing over 100,000 corporate and retail businesses in over 15 countries around the world. The Fee Schedule for Universal Currency UC Fees are as follows: Application and credit line processing fee: $50.00 cash Monthly administrative fee : $50.00 cash Bad debt reserve fund fee T$25.00/month (trade) Sales fee (on the gross value of each sale) 0.25% in trade per transaction Purchase fee 0.25% in cash per transaction Deficit account fee (to bad debt reserve fund) 0.5% on the deficit balance at month end (trade) ------------------------------------------------- https://www.thebanc.com/ Barter Association National Currency Just as EuroBank is consolidating the currencies of 11 European countries, 75+ members of the National Association of Trade Exchanges in Canada and the United States have expanded their selling and purchasing options by acceptance of the BANC. For over 8 years, the BANC has been a stable barter currency for participating NATE members, removing the constrictions of reciprocal bartering and bringing limitless opportunities for trading ========================================== BARTER EXCHANGE ? COMPLEMENTARY CURRENCIES ========================================== These currencies are used in community oriented applications. http://www.transaction.net/money/index.html Transaction Net Currency Systems Design Characteristics of Representative Currency Systems ***** See table summarizing a variety of currency systems. Then explore how each can be used for various transactions. ------------------------ http://www.transaction.net/payment/ Payment Methods Payment transfers may be completed by a variety of means. All of these payments are applicable to mainstream national currencies, but many of them also apply to the various local or community currencies (e.g. LETS, Ithaca HOURS, Time Dollars) as well. We have classified the different payment mechanisms in five categories as follows: -- ATM-model transactions -- Unmediated Two-Party Payments -- Mediated Three-Party Transactions -- Micropayments -- Anonymous digital cash Take a look at our payment method directories, each of which contains a brief (and impartial) description of all the possible variations on that particular method. And be sure to tell us if we missed one. ***** It?s important to review these models in light of the changing methods of payment available in today?s economy. ------------------------ http://www.transaction.net/money/cc/cc01.html Community Currencies A New Tool for the 21st Century http://www.transaction.net/money/community/index.html Complementary Community Currency Systems and Local Exchange Networks Complementary currencies may be issued as -- "fiat" currency (as in Ithaca HOURS)--issued, managed and guaranteed by a central authority; -- mutual credit (as in LETS, ROCS, and Time Dollars); or -- commodity-backed money or scrip that may be redeemed for a particular product or service. ------------------------------------------------- http://www.appropriate-economics.org/ Local Exchange Systems ------------------------ http://www.appropriate-economics.org/materials.html Information and Materials ***** This site offers a huge library of materials on complementary currency systems; ------------------------ http://www.appropriate-economics.org/materials/principles_of_ccs/index.html Principles of Complementary Currency Systems ------------------------ http://www.appropriate-economics.org/materials/rationales_for_complementary_currencies_-_Seyfang.pdf Rationales for Complementary Currencies In A Global Economy ------------------------ http://www.appropriate-economics.org/materials/cc_in_usa.pdf Community Currency in the United States ------------------------ http://www.openmoney.org/ the open money project Open money is a means of exchange freely available to all. Any community, any association - indeed, any body - can have their own money. Open money is synonymous with LETS - an invitation to come inside and play, as in open door and open house; collaboration as in open hand and open for all; attitude as in open mind. The purpose of the open money project is to bring together and organize the people and resources necessary for the development and propagation of open money everywhere. The open money project is a work in progress - a continuation of almost 20 years of LETSystem development all over the world, two community way projects in Canada using smart cards, the Japan open money project, and, most recently, a community currencies server program, cybercredits. ------------------------ http://www.openmoney.org/top/omanifesto.html open money manifesto The problems with money stem entirely from how conventional money is normally issued - it is created by central banks in limited supply. There are three things we know about this money. We know what it does - it comes and it goes. We know what it is - it's scarce and hard to get. And we know where it's from - it's from "them", not us. These three characteristics, common to all national currencies, determine that we constantly have to compete for a share of the limited amount of the "stuff" that makes the world go round. This money can go anywhere, and so it inevitably does, leaving the community deprived of its means of exchange. It is simply the nature of conventional money that by its coming and going it creates conditions of competition and scarcity, within and between communities. Money is just information, a way we measure what we trade, nothing of value in itself. And we can make it ourselves, to work as a complement to conventional money. Just a matter of design. There is no good reason for a community to be without money. To be short of money when there's work to get done is like not having enough inches to build a house. We have the materials, the tools, the space, the time, the skills and the intent to build ... but we have no inches today? Why be short of inches? Why be short of money? Open moneys are virtual, personal and free. Any community, network, business can create their own free money - "free" as in free speech, free radical, freely available - but NOT free as in free lunch, or free ride. It's not something you get for nothing. Open money is money that must be earned to be respected. When you issue it, you are obliged to redeem it - your money is your word. It's just a matter of your reputation in your community. ***** This is a website that will help you explore new models of money. It relates to your 4th example in your question. http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?patentnumber=5592376 ------------------------------------------------- http://dev.openmoney.org/tiki-index.php This is the main development site for the CCSP open money software. This system is in early stages of formation and evolving as we continue to work on the concretisation of our vision. ------------------------------------------------- http://www.thetransitioner.org/wiki/tiki-index.php?page=Open+Money+Software+Requirements+and+Analysis Open Money Software Requirements and Analysis Overview This page is the main entry point for all documents that relate to the requirements and analysis documents for the open money platform. Still in early stages and much remains to be done and organized here. High level requirements for the community currencies service provider module (ccsp) The components of a free/open source open money software platform / toolkit will support the creation, management, and use of open money. ------------------------------------------------- http://www.thetransitioner.org/wiki/tiki-index.php?page=Complementary+Currencies Complementary Currencies Complementary currencies are all currencies other than scarce national currencies that we practice everyday. They are ''complementary" because they extend our transactional power. They can harmonize or be in competition with national currencies. To avoid some of the evils that national currencies tend to have, alternative currencies are designed to be free from charging interest rate to users. Some are equipped, on the contrary, with the demurrage system to give rise to some positive effects that ordinary currencies are almost incapable perform. ***** Complementary currencies are currencies that are used in some of the barter exchange systems. =============================== BARTER EXCHANGE ? MAJOR PLAYERS =============================== Review of the leaders in the commercial sector. http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=BLYC.OB Bentley Commerce Corp (BLYC.OB) Bentley Commerce Corporation operates as a business to business Internet e-commerce company. The company designs, develops, and launches Internet barter enabling services. It provides companies with the ability to trade nonperforming or underperforming assets at full value for the products and services they need. The company?s VirtualBarter, an integrated family of Internet barter services, enables independent exchanges and their members to manage, merchandise, and market their products and services to an integrated worldwide network of trading partners. Bentley Commerce has strategic alliance with Intertrade Capital Group, Ltd. The company was incorporated as Fogilstone Development, Inc. in February 1992 and changed its name to Premier Mining Ventures, Inc. in January 1997. Subsequently, Premier Mining Ventures changed its name to Pure Air Technology in February 1998 and to Startek.com, Inc. in February 1999. Further, it changed name to Bentley Communications Corp. in November 1999 and to Bentley Commerce Corporation in January 2004. Bentley Commerce is headquartered in Sarasota, Florida. ------------------------ http://www.otcbb.com/sandp/BLYC.htm Bentley Commerce Corp. Symbol: BLYC ***** This site offers you Standard & Poor?s information on this company. ------------------------ http://www.bentleycommerce.com/about.html Internet Strategy: Bentley's vision is to create an alliance of trade exchanges, enterprise exchanges and corporate barter companies throughout the world. Trade exchanges, their members and corporate barter companies and their clients are empowered to facilitate their own trades anonymously, relying on their existing trade exchange or corporate barter company to facilitate transactions. Each exchange retains responsibility for its client base, but all has access to each other's managed excess inventory, which each exchange controls. In this way, small and large member and client companies alike will have greater choices in the products and services they can buy with their trade dollars and a larger market for items they offer for sale. ***** Be sure to read the whole website. This is one of the leading companies in the barter exchange industry and reviewing their initiatives will give you a good overview of the various business models they are implementing. ------------------------------------------------- http://press.arrivenet.com/ent/article.php/659485.html Bentley Commerce Has Record Trading Day as Most Active Stock and Second Highest Percent Gainer on OTC Bulletin Board Jun 27, 2005, 15:50 News Source (MARKET WIRE) Stock Ticker: BLYC SARASOTA, FL -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 06/27/2005 -- Bentley Commerce Corporation (OTC BB: BLYC) (www.bentleycommerce.com), the leader in Internet-based barter and trade, broke all company records when 169.7 million shares traded on Friday, June 24, 2005. On this date, BLYC was the most actively traded stock on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board, as well as the day's second largest percent gainer on the OTC-BB, with a 200 percent same-day increase in BLYC's share price. ------------------------------------------------- http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=INLM.OB International Monetary Systems Ltd (INLM.OB) International Monetary Systems, Ltd., through its wholly owned subsidiary, Continental Trade Exchange, Ltd. (CTE), engages in the acquisition, ownership, management, and operation of trade exchanges and other related businesses. Trade exchanges are financial service firms that permit companies and individuals to exchange goods and services utilizing electronic currency. CTE serves approximately 7,000 customers in 24 markets in the United States. In addition, it acts as a third party record keeper, as well as principal in certain transactions in which it acquires products, fine arts, real estate, and other commodities held as investments or sold at profit. The company?s proprietary transaction network enables companies and individuals to trade goods and services throughout North America. International Monetary Systems, Ltd. was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in New Berlin, Wisconsin. http://www.internationalmonetary.com/ International Monetary Systems, Ltd. Press Releases International Monetary Systems Acquires Barter Business Unlimited Connecticut trade exchange is one of nation's largest and strongest New Berlin, Wis. -- June 6, 2005 -- International Monetary Systems, Ltd. (OTC BB: INLM), a worldwide leader in business-to-business barter services, today announced that it has acquired Barter Business Unlimited (BBU) of Newington, CT. The Hartford-area operation is one of America's leading trade exchanges. Debbie Lombardi, BBU's founder and president, is the current president of NATE, the National Association of Trade Exchanges. She is the first woman ever elected to that prestigious position. Recognized as a renowned visionary, Ms. Lombardi will participate in IMS' future planning and marketing. As a result of this merger, a new barter industry giant has been created. International Monetary Systems now serves more than 8,500 businesses representing 14,000 cardholders. ------------------------ http://www.internationalmonetary.com/ IMS Subsidiaries Continental Trade Exchange, Ltd. http://www.ctebarter.com Continental Trade Exchange is one of America's largest barter systems. Since its inception in 1985, CTE has continued to expand its membership roster by way of acquisitions and a strong program of internal growth. As a result, the company now serves a client base of more than 8,500 businesses and professional people. CTE's participation in nationwide trade organizations such as the National Association of Trade Exchanges (NATE) and the Barter Association National Currency (The BANC) offers its members the opportunity to market their goods and services, not only in Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, California, Nevada, Tennessee, Maryland, Virginia, Connecticut, and Washington D.C., but across North America. ------------------------ http://www.finance.lycos.com/qc/news/story.aspx?symbols=BWIRE:100&story=200506131440_BWR__BW5707 International Monetary Systems Has Another Record Month in May Revenue up 53% over last year 13 June 2005, 10:40am ET NEW BERLIN, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 13, 2005--International Monetary Systems, Ltd. (OTC BB:INLM), a worldwide leader in corporate and consumer barter services, today announced that its gross revenue for May shattered all previous records. The company processed more than $5.2 million worth of trades which produced gross income of $540,000. This represented an increase of 53% over the same period in 2004, and an increase of 31% over the outstanding April, 2005 sales. ------------------------------------------------- http://www.tradefirst.com/TradeFirst.com TradeFirst.com (TF) is a nationwide e-commerce network of businesses that work together, trading their goods and services in order to generate new business, offset cash expenses, and increase profits by utilizing excess capacity and inventory. TF has been an innovative leader in the rapidly growing e-commerce business-to-business model of computerized barter. Since opening in 1978, TF has become one of the largest independently-owned trade exchanges in the country, with over 5,000 member companies providing thousands of different products and services. It is estimated that more than $16 billion was bartered last year in the U.S. alone, and barter is becoming one of the fastest-growing segments of the world's economy. Since its inception, TradeFirst.com has concentrated on building strong local barter economies for retail businesses in Michigan, Ohio, and Florida. Through our website, we can effectively bring the benefits of barter to companies throughout the country. We can also provide current members with full account and listing information, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. ======================================= BARTER EXCHANGE ? ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES ======================================= Some of these are emerging as key players and competitors and/or partners in the industry. http://www.bentleycommerce.com/ Bentley Commerce Bentley Commerce is the online leader in worldwide barter and trade. Through its Bentley Trade Exchange Network, Global Trade Marketplace, Enterprise Exchanges, VirtualBarter Software and Corporate Trade Group, Bentley Commerce is empowering companies and organizations throughout the world with the invaluable benefits of trading their excess production, capacity and inventories at full value in an online global trade marketplace. ------------------------ http://www.bentleycommerce.com/software/overview.html Virtual Barter Software: Overview Powered by VirtualBarter software features real time trading with real time transaction fee processing, online statements, online transaction posting, real time reporting and world class exchange administration functionality in an easy to use web browser interface. virtualBarter features a front end HTML graphic based website for your members and your own trading account, and a back end management platform for exchanges. The back-end Windows-like interface enables an exchange to manage their website content, graphics, logo and information that is displayed to its members, in addition to managing all of the functions of your exchange including managing members, items, trading, accounting, email marketing, notes, reminders, reporting and more? ------------------------------------------------- http://www.vbarter.com/ virtualBarter VirtualBarter the world's premier Global Trade Alliance, gives you the resources you need to build your bottom line. Tens of thousands of business owners and professionals already trade in the VirtualBarter Alliance. Earn Trade Dollars from these new customers and put your new purchasing power to work running your business, expanding your operations, or enhancing your personal standard of living without spending cash. Unlike being a member of a small independent barter exchange, member's of trade exchanges that participate in the VirtualBarter Alliance are empowered with online worldwide trading combined with a broker-centric network of barter professionals to assist you in facilitating trades locally, across the country or across the globe. Enhance your trading experience and apply for a trade account today. ------------------------------------------------- http://www.xraymedia.com/ms/barter/index.html XR Barter XRAYMEDIA?s XR Barter unites live media negotiating with trade/barter modules giving our registered buyers and sellers the unmatched flexibility and negotiating power, XR Barter enables the ge