Bartering is making a comeback. As the economy chokes and sputters and cash flows less freely folks are getting more resourceful. People have figured out that one way to get what you need without cash is to trade something you have, but don't need, for it. If a person wants to trade items or labor and they live in West Auckland, it sure helps to have a computer and internet connection. The internet is a well suited tool to unite the providers with the seekers.
As I looked into bartering options from my home in Waitakere, a rustic district just West of Auckland, I found six barter sites (Trade to Save,Bartercard, Swapster, Barterzone, Locanto and Gumtree) that can be used to facilitate trades in the area- and I'm sure I didn't find them all.
Some sites are highly structured with membership essential to use them. The more sophisticated sites like Bartercard, take a percentage of transactions and issue trade credits (so if you cant find anything you want from the person or company who wants what you have, it's OK) you can redeem your credits from any of the thousands of other members. Other cites, such as (the barter section of) Gumtree merely serve as a bulletin boards to connect traders.
The trend of hi tech bartering has firm footing here with New Zealand software company XO Limited, taking the lead in barter software development. The company facilitates billions of dollars worth of trades annually worldwide. With 85 % of Fortune 500 companies using barter to enhance business XO still hasn't forgotten the 'little guy. ' According to XO press release.
“For non-profit barter green-dollar, LETS or community run exchanges the company provides its services totally free of charge, a move that is aimed at helping to proliferate the idea of alternate currencies as a viable method of enhancing community wealth. “
Another successful form of barter in New Zealand is Wwoofing. Wwoofing, which stands for willing workers on organic farms is a labor exchange. This system organizes travelers who are interested on sustainable agriculture with hosts who need labor. Hosts and workers buy into the system for a fee of 50.00 and get a directory with over 700 New Zealand farms,private homes, retreat centers and resorts and other organically leaning operations. (There is a web directory only option for ten dollars less.) Each listing has contact information and a brief description of and parameters for the facility (do they accommodate families, how many wwoofers can stay at a time, special living conditions, etc) Workers trade four hours of labor each day for room and board. It is an excellent way to get a unique perspective of New Zealand as a visitor and a great way to get help with projects for local organic gardeners, farmers and other organically minded outfits.
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