SARASOTA – The economy has been tough for many Suncoast businesses. But some have found a way to keep cash in their company by bartering with other businesses.
There is no cash being exchanged. Instead, business owners are trading goods and services through a bartering company.
The way it works is an owner may have a product he or she wants to sell that another owner wants. A value is placed on the item, known as “barter dollars.” And with those dollars, an owner can then buy another good or service.
And it seems bartering is catching on.
Keith Harrison is the owner of Cartridge World on Clark Road in Sarasota. He opened his business about three-and-a-half years ago. “We started right when everything started to go down. We lost some good clients, but everyone now is looking for ways to save money.” And that includes Keith himself.
So as a way to save, he started to barter. “I have saved money…I’ve saved my cash because I don’t have to pay someone cash to do that.”
From air conditioning repairs to business cards and a website design, Keith has been trading his ink cartridges for things his business needs…instead of forking over cash.
“We look at businesses and see what their monthly expenses are and say ‘alright, here are all the services we can provide at 100% barter’, which will free up your cash flow,” says Kevin Daly, co-owner of the Nubarter Suncoast Territory.
Nubarter has more than 25,000 members in the southeast, and every year the company says business has doubled, since businesses are looking for an edge.
“Especially now in this economy. Everyone is looking to save a dollar, but also everyone is looking to grow their business…but everyone is afraid to spend the money,” says Daly.
And the money can stay where you need it to — in your company. “In these economic times when at the end of the month every penny you have in your checkbook, your business account is needed, it’s just a great way,” says Harrison.
There is a fee to join Nubarter. Bartering is open to anyone that sells a good or service. Nubarter says they only deal with reputable businesses with excellent customer service.
Published September 10, 2010
| FOXBusiness
Whoever said cash is king never tried bartering.
For small business owners grappling with excess capacity and an inability to get a loan from banks, bartering can be more valuable than cash.
Bartering dates back to ancient times, when folks swapped goods and services for other goods and services they had. The modern way of bartering is to have networks of businesses across the globe that trade products and services either in person, over the phone or via the Internet without the use of cash.
Whether a lawyer in Houston has spare time on his hand or a local newspaper had extra ad space, businesses — largely small ones — can use bartering to get a host of services. Basically a small business joins a barter exchange and instead of using cash for goods and services, trades its excess capacity for things it needs. For example a furniture retailer could sell a couch and in return get credits that can be used for printing brochures. That couch may have languished in the store but on the exchange it found a buyer.
Bartering is a “great benefit to small businesses that want to use excess capacity as a currency,” said David Wallach, president of the International Reciprocal Trade Association, an industry trade group for barter exchanges. “It’s very profitable to businesses. That’s why they join it.” Members in bartering exchanges typically pay a membership fee or monthly maintenance fee and a percent of the sale.
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At ITEX, the Bellevue, Wash., membership trading company that has 24,000 members and 90 offices around the country, that percentage is 6%. According to Alan Zimmelman, a spokesman for ITEX, barter exchanges work best in local economies and is done predominately via the phone or electronic messaging, rather than over the Internet. Members will use the Internet to search for ways to spend their barter dollars but will call or email one of ITEX’s brokers when they want to engage in a trade. “The Internet will grow but it is a slow process,” said Zimmelman, noting it’s easier to pick up the phone, send a text or email. ITEX members do use the Internet to post advertisements or electronic newsletters.
Members of bartering exchange NuBarter do use the Internet to make deals, even though the company has customer service reps at the ready to help members. On NuBarter.com members are given a line of credit and search for what they want to use that line of credit for. Once they find something they click buy and the seller is contacted via an email. If it is approved the seller and buyer will make arrangements.
NuBarter, which is based in Savannah, Ga., but has offices around the country and a network of barter exchange partners around the world, put together a network of roughly 2,300 members who trade among themselves. A line of credit is given to the members and NuBarter’s job is to make sure the goods and services stay balanced. For instance, NuBarter won’t let 10 hair salons on the network if there is only demand for two. What’s more, in order for a small business to be allowed into the network, it has to go through an interview process. The line of credit is based on criteria, including years of service, number of employees and size of the business, said Gary Field, president of NuBarter.
Members of NuBarter pay a one -time fee of $495, $15 monthly and a 12% cash fee on all transactions. For the fees, small business members get assigned a trade broker and access to business seminars, similar to Chamber of Commerce events. According to Field, NuBarter is a win-win situation for small business members because their barter dollars never go to waste if a service is not completed.
“If someone doesn’t get the services, they don’t pay,” Field said.
For small businesses that don’t want to become a member of one of these bartering exchanges, there are a host of websites that let individuals trade goods and services. BarterQuest is one example. On its site, goods, services and real estate can be traded around the world.
Located on Lady’s Island in the coastal town of Beaufort, Berry Island Ice Cream Cafe offers 24 flavors at a time. Try a scoop of a standby called the Prince of Tides, a favorite of Barbra Streisand when she was in town making the movie based on Pat Conroy’s novel. It’s coffee-almond fudge, but the name is pure South Carolina. 1 Merchant Lane, #102; 843-524-8779; berryislandcafe.com.
Recommended by Sid Evans, editor of Garden & Gun magazine
Excerpt of source: http://travel.usatoday.com/destinations/greatamericanbites/ice-cream/39857952/1
Winning Team #7- Lisa Medland, Nanette Saylor, Deb Baron, Patrice Huber.
Lillian Martinez, John Schneyer and Jonathan Sahn, using technology to help solve the clues.
Karen Roumay, Matt Jaeger and Miriam Brown scoring the clue sheets.
Cecily Rouser, Noreen Foley, Gary Field and Bob LaRocca from Event Sponsor NuBarter.
Team 4: Consuelo Inestrosa, Audra Hodges, Kathy Sheridan and Alyssa Kleinman.
Tina Fienberg, Jean Ross and Tina Fienberg – Mission Possible Volunteers
Linda Gove and Lisa Elkan – Past chairs of Boca Festival Days.
Chris Evert Charities hosted the popular “Mission Possible” on Thursday August 12 at the Town Center at Boca Raton. Eighteen teams spanned the mall deciphering difficult clues and compete for the title of “Top Sleuth Detecti
BOCA RATON — Tired of the slow, hot, summer months? Are you under the impression that there is nothing going on in Boca Raton during August? Then you’ve never heard of Boca Festival Days!
During the recession of 1980, Boca Festival Days was created by the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce with the intent to help boost business during what was traditionally Boca Raton’s “slow” month of August.
Boca Raton Council member Constance Scott with Boca Raton Mayor Susan Whelchel and Boca Raton Deputy Mayor Susan Haynie at 2009 Wine & All That Jazz event.
Boca Festival Days is the result of local business leaders and representatives from area non-profit agencies, companies, and media working together to plan and promote events at many different locations in the greater Boca Raton area running throughout the month of August.
The 2010 chair is John Schneyer of Boca Consultants and the co-chair is Debbi Lawlor, a local non-profit professional.
Events begin this weekend. Activities planned for the two weeks are listed below.
August 2, 5-7 p.m.
Shopping Spree benefiting Ruth Rales Jewish Family Service
Sponsored By Comerica
Location: Kosher Marketplace (The Palms Plaza, 2191 Powerline Road, Boca Raton, FL 33433)
Teams of 2-5 people will have two hours to purchase as much food for the least amount of money possible. All purchased food will be donated to the food pantry. Contact Beth Levine at 561-852-3334 or bethl@rrjfs.org.
August 3, 6-9 p.m., Night for Small Pints, benefiting Kids in Distress
Sponsored By MDG Advertising
Location: Dubliner (435 Plaza Real, Mizner Park, Boca Raton, FL 33432)
Please join us for a fun-filled evening of entertainment and fundraising at Dubliner in Mizner Park. Guests will enjoy the live music of Taylor Road. Cost is $25 per person, which includes two drinks and appetizers. The proceeds will go to Kids in Distress. Contact 561.620.2540 for more information.
August 5, 6-8 p.m., opening Reception for Art Show benefiting Artist’s Guild of Boca Raton Museum
Sponsored By Wyndham Boca Raton
(Art Show to run Aug. 1-15th at Wyndham)
Location: The Wyndham Garden Hotel (1950 Glades Road Boca Raton, FL)
Contact (561) 368-5200 or the Event Chairperson Glenn Heino (561) 866-9670 or email at webadmin@bocaguild.com.
August 6, noon-2 p.m., Informative Luncheon benefiting and sponsored by Caron Renaissance
Location: Caron Renaissance (7789 N.W. Beacon Square Blvd., Boca Raton, FL 33487)
Featuring guest speaker Christopher Kennedy Lawford, Best-selling author, activist and advocate for addiction recovery. Caron Renaissance is part of the Caron Treatment Centers network – a nationally recognized non-profit drug and alcohol treatment networks in the country. Based in Boca Raton, Caron Renaissance is celebrating more than 20 years of on-site family programs and pioneering new advances in the field of addiction treatment. Tours of the facility and residences will be available from 3-4 p.m. For more information or to RSVP, contact Jacquelyn Sherry at 561.241.7977, ext. 1777 or jsherry@renaissanceinstitute.net.
Kids show off their artwork at the 2009 Boca Raton Museum of Art’s Meet a Master event
August 7, 6-8 p.m., An Enchanted Evening benefiting Children’s Museum of Boca Raton
Sponsored By The Heritage Group / The House of Tia Crystal
Location: Children’s Museum (498 Crawford Blvd., Boca Raton, FL 33432)
“Meet at The Children’s Museum to travel in the vintage style Molly Trolley for an art inspired journey of storytelling, lite-fare, and music with a magical ending at the House of Tia Crystal.” Reservations are required for limited seating. $35 p/p. CONTACT: Sandy Manning at 561-368-6875/ SANDY@CMBOCA.ORG WWW.CMBOCA.ORG
August 8, noon-6 p.m., Donating the Clothes Off our Backs for Women in Distress!, benefiting Women in Distress
Sponsored By Oceans 234
Location: Oceans 234 (234 North Ocean Blvd, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441)
This is Oceans234 annual clothing drive to benefit Women In Distress. $15 includes buffet and raffle ticket for a chance to win a Stay-cation on “The Island”! All proceeds to benefit Women in Distress. Live entertainment, promotions and giveaways! Contact 954-428-2539.
August 10, 6-8 p.m., AVDA’s 5K Kick-Off Party benefiting AVDA (Aid to Victims of Domestic Violence, Inc.)
Sponsored By Maui Spa & Wellness Center in Boca Raton
Location: Maui Spa & Wellness Center in Boca Raton (2100 N.W. Boca Raton Boulevard)
During the kick-off party, race highlights will be announced and registration for the 5K will be officially opened. Additional volunteer opportunities will also be available to assist with the 5K on race day. Maui Spa & Wellness Center has partnered with AVDA to provide a special happy hour which will include drinks, appetizers and raffle prizes for $20 per person. Seating is limited so sign up early by calling Riunite Carter at 561-265-3797 (ext 118).
August 11, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., Relax to the Max! benefiting Hospice of Palm Beach County.
Sponsored By Max’s Grille at Mizner Park (404 Plaza Real, Mizner Park)
Location: Max’s Grille at Mizner Park (404 Plaza Real, Mizner Park)
$25 per person entitles you to 2 free drinks and hors d’oeuvres
Higher donation of $100 receives a $20 Gift Card, $500 receives a $50 Gift Card, $1,000 receives a $100 Gift Card. RSVP to Mary Coleman, (561) 988-2742 or mcoleman@hpbcf.org
From left are Bonnie Kaye, John Mulhall and Shanna St. John at the 2009 Wine & All That Jazz event.
August 12, 6-8:30 p.m., Mission Possible, benefiting Chris Evert Charities
Sponsored By NuBarter
Location: Town Center at Boca Raton (6000 Glades Rd #100, Boca Raton, FL 33431)
Teams of “super agents” will solve a mystery while gathering top-secret information or objects from participating stores throughout the Mall. Teams of four are encouraged, individuals are welcome. Cost: $35 per person or $125 for a team of four. Unless sold out, the on-site registration fee is $40 per person or $150 for a four-person team Event includes appetizers, drinks, awards for the winning teams and raffle prizes. Non-detectives may purchase tickets for the lively post-hunt party from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. For more information call: 561-394-2400 or visit www.chrisevert.org
August 13, 7 to 9 p.m., Cocktails for a Cause benefiting Benefitting Best Foot Forward
Sponsored By Morton’s The Steakhouse
Location: Morton’s the Steakhouse (5050 Town Center Circle, Suite 219, Boca Raton, FL 33486)
Join Morton’s, former NFL player and color commentator Lamar Thomas, and Boca Raton Community member guest bartenders Forrest Heathcott, Frank Barbieri, Troy McLellan, Steve Tebon, during Boca Festival Days! They will be personally shaking and serving up an evening of cocktails to benefit the Best Foot Forward Foundation (www.bestfoot.org). For more information, contact Gina Campbell at 561-392-7724 or gina_campbell@mortons.com.
August 14 & 28, 2 to 3:30 p.m., Guided Tour of the Historic Boca Raton Resort & Club, benefiting Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum
Location: Boca Raton Resort & Club (501 E. Camino Real, Boca Raton, FL 33432)
August 14, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Back to School Bash benefiting Spirit of Giving Network
Sponsored By Continental Group
Location: Naoma Donnelley Haggin Boys & Girls Club (1451 SW Seventh St., Delray Beach, FL, 33444)
Contact (561) 385-0144
August 14, 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Dancing in the Sky, benefiting Shopping for Soldiers, sponsored By Boca Raton Bridge Hotel
Location: Carmen’s at the Top of the Boca Bridge Hotel (999 E Camino Real, Boca Raton, FL 33432)
The famous Bulldogs begin at 7 p.m. along with Chefs Tables for your dining experience provided by local top restaurants. Tickets are $25 dollars and please purchase in advance so you will not have to stand in line. RSVP to: Neal 561-860-3173 or email sfsneeds@gmail.com
Business ToolboxFinancing Your BusinessA strong financial base is important to the success of a new or expanding business. |
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» Trading Game When Danielle Williams decided to remodel her upscale Deerfield Beach restaurant, Oceans 234, she relied heavily on barter, one of the oldest forms of obtaining goods and services. Williams, the restaurant’s director of operations, traded restaurant meals for more than $80,000 in new flooring, plumbing, interior design, uniforms, a logo, signs and more. The value of bartered goods added up to more than half the $150,000 total cost of remodeling. “It’s just so smart, so easy,” says Williams, who in late 2008 joined NuBarter, a Savannah-based barter network with offices in Daytona Beach, Sarasota, Tallahassee, Pompano Beach and Boca Raton. NuBarter and other barter networks let members earn and use trade credits. So when Williams provides $500 in restaurant meals to the barter network, she can use those credits for any member’s goods and services, even if they never eat a meal at her restaurant. “It’s like having a Visa,” says NuBarter’s Karen Roumay. Barter networks charge members an annual fee, a monthly maintenance fee and collect a percentage of the value of the trade. In NuBarter’s case, the annual fee is $395 plus $15 per month in cash and $15 per month in trade credit. They collect 10% of the value of the trade in cash from the buyer. Williams says that originally she thought she would barter only for a short period, but now that the remodel is finished she is bartering for all types of goods and services for the restaurant on an ongoing basis. A key, she says, is knowing how much you can afford to trade each month. Still, says Williams, “There’s no reason I would stop bartering.” |
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An excellent expo: Business event brings companies to the community
By Savannah Morning News
Created 2010-07-20 00:18
Linda Sickler
Business was booming at the Pooler Business and Consumer Expo. A large crowd turned out July 15 to see what companies in the area have to offer.
The expo was held at the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum. Many vendors offered special deals during the expo, and some sponsored giveaways.
“We’ve had a nice, steady stream coming in,” said Karen Robertson of the Pooler Chamber of Commerce. “We even had some early arrivals who were here at 5:15 p.m.”
Robertson said the variety of vendors who participated was particularly thrilling. “It’s fabulous,” she said. “We’re sold out with vendors.
“This is only our second time to do this,” Robertson said. “The chamber did one last year, and there was one five or six years ago.
“As people heard about this one, interest has grown,” she said. “The comment we’re hearing most from vendors is that the numbers are up over last year.”
In all, 23 vendors turned out. “It’s everything from banking, healthcare to spas, real estate, travel, entertainment – a very good variety,” Robertson said.
The expo gave vendors a chance to advertise, and customers an opportunity to find products and services. “We’re talking to everyone about our services,” said Patty Anderson of the GeoVista Credit Union.
“We’re here to educate the public about Hospice Savannah,” said Sarah Copeland, community outreach coordinator for Hospice Savannah. “We cover five counties – Chatham, Effingham, Bryan, Liberty and Long.”
While most people are familiar with Hospice Savannah, they’re not aware of all the services it provides, Copeland said. “People are unfamiliar with Full Circle, which provides bereavement services,” she said. “It is open to anyone who has had a loss.”
Heather Parks of Holiday Inn was surprised at the number of people who came for the expo. “The hotel business is vital to our economy,” she said.
Jacquie Stein is a territory licensee/manager with NuBarter, a Savannah-based online bartering company, whose members trade goods and services for other businesses’ goods and services. NuBarter members barter their goods and services to increase sales, reduce cash expenditures and increase profits.
“We’re the largest trade exchange in the Southeast,” Stein said. “We bring added visibility and revenue to our members.”
Events such as the expo are important for businesspeople and community members to network, Stein said. “Every new contact in worthwhile,” she said. “We are trying to educate businesspeople on the benefits of bartering.”
Sarah Sherman of Savannah Commons Retirement Community said this was her company’s first event in Pooler and an opportunity to show the community what it has to offer. “We’re encouraging everyone to come over and take a look at us,” she said.
Sandy Downs of Beazer Homes is a member of the Pooler chamber. “This is the first time we’ve done this,” she said. “I’m really happy with the way everything is set up here.”
Beazer Homes builds houses that range in price from $130,000 to $180,000 and, despite the tough economy, the company is thriving. “All our homes are built with energy efficiency in mind,” Downs said.
Plans already are under way for another expo next year. “We want it to be bigger and better each year,” Robertson said. “We want our vendors to know they have the perfect opportunity to show people what they have.”
Contact: Gary Field
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tel: 912-233-0808
Cell Phone: 912-631-6808
eMail: Gary@NuBarter.com
BARTER LEADERS MERGE TO OFFER MORE TRADE OPPORTUNITIES
Barter dollars go farther as NuBarter and Barter Brokers International join forces
(July 2010) Savannah, GA based NuBarter (www.NuBarter.com) and Charleston, SC based Barter Brokers International (www.BarterBrokers.com) announce that they will join forces creating the largest barter marketplace in the Southeast. Barter Brokers International, a 16 year veteran with offices in Mount Pleasant, SC, has a membership base throughout North and South Carolina. NuBarter, based in Savannah GA, has offices across Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina with members totaling over 2000 in a wide variety of industries.
“We are excited to leverage BBI’s longevity in the SC/NC region and look for the integration between the two marketplaces to be complete by early to mid August of this year” said Gary Field, CEO of NuBarter.
As for joining forces with NuBarter, Bill Bailey, President of BBI, is thrilled to be able to extend the NuBarter network to his existing client base. “Over the past 16 years we have seen tremendous growth in the barter community. Our joint mission is to continue to provide an effective way to increase sales, reduce cash expenditures and increase profits for our members.”
About NuBarter:
Established in 2002, NuBarter assists businesses in attaining new cash customers, increasing cash flow and profitability, reducing cash expenditures and saving companies’ needed cash reserves. Unlike other barter companies, NuBarter monitors the fair market value of goods and services to avoid potential pitfalls and monitors member accounts to assists in the formation of a barter strategy, including their goals and objectives, to insure the success of their transactions. NuBarter was the 2009 runner up in Forbes Magazine’s, “Boost Your Business Contest” and the 2010 winner of the Savannah Small Business Chamber’s “Business of the Year”.
About Barter Brokers, International
Founded in 1994, BBI has representation in Charleston, Columbia, Savannah, Hilton Head Island, Myrtle Beach, Greenville, SC and Charlotte, NC. BBI is a well established trade exchange in The Carolinas. BBI helps its member companies enhance their businesses through exchange of products and services instead of making cash disbursements.
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If you would like more information about this topic please call Gary at (912) 233-0808 or email Gary at Gary@NuBarter.com
