Customer Reviews

The Art of Barter: How to Trade for Almost Anything

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"The Art of Barter" is about exploring the opportunities and possibilities that each and every one of us possesses to improve our lives through barter. Whether in good or not optimal economic times, barter has the power to create trades without (or with less) cash than would otherwise be needed, thus generating not only the benefit of an acquired good or service, but also an enhanced relationship that goes with the territory, as the authors emphasize.

Before reading this book, I was aware of barter but didn't think of it as something I could implement in my life. Shera and Karen provide many tips, pointers, and resources for individuals - each chapter has success stories and trading tips, and the reader can take quizzes to flesh out their own assets to barter. It was eye opening and very encouraging. Once you have a starting point, the book includes online resources to make the leap to actual trading easier.

The authors also show how kids can get involved with barter, how businesses can use it to improve their bottom line, and how it can be used to give to charity. They share both the (numerous) pros and the cons of barter.

Regarding style, the book is a fast-paced and engaging read. The layout and organization make relevant information easy to find. Also, I enjoyed the imagery, such as, "Nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs, she mustered up her courage and made the call."(p. 30) Nerves or not, that call turned out to be very productive and the deal was made.

Finally, I like that the authors look at the social aspects of barter. At the end of the day, besides being an exchange, barter is "a social interaction" (p. 45), and the authors stress the importance of principled bartering. As they say, "This is more about making a match than beating the best bargain out of an adversary." (p. 45)

I love that this book teaches people to think out side the box when it comes to acquiring goods and services. As a small business man this book gives the pointers that will have me trading like a pro. During these uncertain economic times I think this this book is even more relevant for people to read. I love the idea of creating "new" currencies that help people have more buying power without necessarily dipping into their pocket book. The book has some excellent resources that are both online and grass roots organizations that people can participate in. Whether you are small business person or a family on a tight budget, this is a great read. Lastly, I really like that Karen & Shera discuss the upsides AND downsides of bartering as I feel that helps ground this topic a little and gives people realistic expectations.

Great job...I highly recommend this book...

dK

For many people, finances are tight these days. In fact, that may be quite the understatement. People are having difficulties paying for things they want, and not only luxuries or non-essentials, but basics to survive. "The Art of Barter: How to Trade for Almost Anything" by Karen S. Hoffman and Shera D. Dalin offers a solution for many people's financial woes. No, the book does not share the secret of making a million dollars or become rich quick, but rather provides worksheets, checklists, real-world examples, and success stories regarding how you can create win-win barter opportunities to enjoy a better lifestyle with what you have.

The book is easy to read and it's basically a handbook on how to barter. After a short introduction, the authors explain the benefits of barter and what it can do for you. The next chapter focuses on the bartering opportunities that may be lurking around your home. From there, the authors explain how to trade like a pro and then discuss trading in the fast lane. (enrolling in a trade exchange)

Chapter five discusses the upsides and downsides of barter. I'm glad they pointed out some of the downsides. The next chapter has information on topics such as vacation swaps, temporary homes, and swapping houses. I would caution anyone doing this to seek legal advice beyond the mention of taxes included in this book. Which brings me to chapter seven, barter, taxes and you. The authors provide a couple of pages, but depending on the amount and level of bartering you do, you may want to discuss this with a tax professional.

Next come chapters on charity expanding with barter, barter for kids, (no, you won't be trading your kids off, even if you really want to, the chapter provides opportunities for kids to barter.) Next they discuss leveraging the power of barter and creating a new small business through barter, and then they follow with a chapter on barter as a career. They conclude with a chapter on barter for your health, and then finally include a list of resources which contain a sample barter agreement and sample trade tracking worksheet.

I think this is a good book to open people's eyes to the possibilities and opportunities that barter may provide. Many people do very well for themselves through trading for goods and services. "The Art of Barter" shows you how you can enter this area and succeed at trading for yourself. For those short on money, this book may be especially useful. If you want to learn more about barter and trading, this book is a great place to start.

Reviewed by Alain Burrese, J.D., author of the Tough Guy Wisdom series.

I thought I knew a thing or two about barter, as I'm the developer of a barter enterprise, but this book has given me so many new ideas. When I re-read it and take notes, I'll probably get a hundred more. This book shows that the possibilities with barter are absolutely endless if one is creative and not afraid to try new things.

I loved the authors' take on barter- it is indeed about forming relationships that endure beyond the initial trade. It's about building referrals, trusted providers and community.

"The Art of Barter" covers every aspect of the value of barter, and how to make it work for you, from encouraging independence in children to helping a favorite charity. This book also provides numerous and helpful insights and tips about the nuts and bolts of it all, including a chapter on tax considerations.

Anyone starting (or struggling with) a small business needs to read the "Barter and Your New Small Business" chapter- invaluable for those long on ideas but short on cash.

This book is "must" reading for weekend entrepreneurs and savvy traders alike. It's going to help a lot of people find new ways to increase their standard of living.

I would like to say although I very much enjoyed reading and learning more about barter and fully believe it's a great tool I was sadly disappointed when it was all said and done. First off I reside in Reno, NV one of the very locations mentioned in this particular book which also mentions specific businesses and names of the owners. I was excited to learn these were indeed real places right here in my back yard but unfortunately some of these folks were not at all happy about barter. I wondered if they were asked to almost say they were in the book or someone just said they were perhaps? I don't think that's right nor legal but it was very interesting to hear from the horses mouth they did NOT welcome barter and they were not at all pleased with many things. I know this is their opinions and we all must make our own calls on things but I have to be very honest in saying it's such a shame that this was a very new book and the accuracy with the reviews of my local town were just completely off. To the authors, Barter seems like such an amazing tool that we can all benefit from especially in this economy but what went so wrong with your people interviewed for this book? Are you aware these folks had negativity about the subject and you went ahead and wrote about them anyways but in a different light? I'm just curious. It's exciting for a reader to stumble across something mentioned in their own neighborhood but such a let down to hear the truth is 100% off from the story of the book. Maybe half of this book should be classified as FICTION.

Disappointed

Reno, NV