At the annual holiday exhibition and trade fair of the barter network, business owners come together to increase sales through exchange. BRISTOL, Conn. (CNNMoney. com)--Short on cash?
Join the new old economy and exchange.
"There is no recession in barter trade," said Debbie Lombardi, who led the audience at the Barter Business Unlimited annual business and holiday barter show in Bristol, Connecticut on Thursday.
More than 1,000 people connected to 100 suppliers crowded into the hotel's event space to drive, trade and trade their goods.
When the event's host, Lombardi, was working on the floor, dozens of small business owners prevented her from asking questions.
A bicycle shop is owned.
One is long term friends and jewelrystore owner.
One sells underwear and sex toys.
This is the new and popular way to go back to the old "it needs a village" to do business.
The Barter fair operates in its own cashfree world ---like a high-
People who burn technology.
Members have cards associated with a "trade dollar" account that they can consume on any item provided by the enterprise in the barter network.
During her 25 years in barter trade, Lombardi said she saw doctors exchange their services for twins and blood transfusion.
She saw people trade for plastic surgery and funerals.
In her year of unlimited barter business, things have become more and more active.
"This technology makes it easier to barter," said Lombardi . ".
The recession has also helped things: "People are really just looking for business right now.
"Ted Rahaim, owner of the DBK home jeweler in Conn ville.
Bargaining is a good way for him to get something for his small business, he says, and if he has to pay cash he will not be able to afford it-
Like advertising.
He came to the exhibition, hoping to exchange jewelry for $30,000 to $40,000.
He didn't know what he was going to trade, but he did get a box of meat.
In the past, he bargained for business needs, including business cards, plumbing and heating services for his store.
"It opened a lot of doors for me," he said . ".
With the plight of the media industry creating news almost every day, Mike Schroeder, publisher of the new British herald and Bristol Press, has a rare success story.
He found six new advertisers on the show.
In return, the newspaper exchanged about 60% of the work needed to relocate the company's office.
Schroeder estimates.
"We found that many of the best companies we have worked with are barter," he said . ".
Bill Hawking, managing member of Farmington River Brewing, uses the barter world to integrate his approach into a new customer relationship.
"I don't usually face a lot of customers," he said . ".
Like a 32-year-old plainclothes. year-
Old underwear and "romantic accessories" business run by Angel Johnston.
In order to pay for the plumber, she traded thin satin underwear, elegant adult toys and other things that could not be mentioned in the "adult eyes only" way (
Carefully covered with black cloth at the exhibition).
In exchange for the family expenses that would otherwise have drained her coffers by barter, she was able to keep the cash flow into her business.
But in the Brattleboro of Vt, the owner of London Bell, Gary Maples.
, To remind small business owners who want to build through Barter, the temptation to spend barter dollars on vacation or home expenses will not help you increase your profits.
London watch prices remain high
End clock for warehouse space and other business requirements.
Through Barter trading, Maple has produced a more extensive catalogue for the London clock than when he paid cash.
"The biggest mistake people make is that they use it for personal wishes," says Maples . ".
"None of this will bring any benefit to your business.