Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)Q: What exactly is The Trade Exchange?A: The Trade Exchange is a business-to-business barter network. The Trade Exchange has over 300 member businesses who can trade their goods and services for those of other member businesses. Q: How does the system work? A: In a barter network, members are not trading directly with each other. Rather they are trading in and out of a pool. The Trade Exchange members are paid in "barter dollars" instead of cash. These "barter dollars" are credited to a members The Trade Exchange account. He/she then uses the "barter dollars" in his account to pay for goods or services that he wishes to purchase. Q: I do trading on my own. Why would my business benefit by trading through The Trade Exchange? A: By working through a barter network, your business has access to hundreds of goods and services, many of which would not be otherwise available. Also, you have The Trade Exchange acting as a sales agent for your company's goods and services. We actively market your company's products to other members of the network. Q: Is there a minimum amount of work I must trade? A: Absolutely not. Members can always limit the amount of business they are willing to do on barter. Q: Can barter help my business' cash flow? A: Yes. When your business does work on barter, your account will receive the appropriate credit in "trade dollars" right away. This trade credit is immediately available for use by your company to cover costs that you might have otherwise paid in cash. Q: Can I promote my normal cash business through working on trade? A: Absolutely. Let work done on trade pay for advertising, marketing services, and business promotions. Take customers to dinner on trade. Use trade to cover the cost of corporate functions and gifts. Or trade for scores of other goods and services while introducing your company to dozens of prospective clients. And don't forget that a barter exchange can be great for networking. Through barter you'll make new business contacts and open the possibilities for referrals and prospective new cash customers. Q: Will using barter create added paperwork and hassles with the IRS? A: Absolutely not. The Trade Exchange will do all the paperwork, providing you with up-to-date monthly statements for your reference. Barter income is reportable to the IRS exactly like cash income. The Trade Exchange will provide you with timely and accurate reporting of all barter income and expenses for you records. Q: How will I know if barter is right for my business? A: The Trade Exchange offers prospective members a free consultation. We'll review your business' individual needs and see how they compare to goods and services offered through the barter exchange. Q: Is it expensive to join The Trade Exchange? A: Not at all. The Trade Exchange does not charge a fee for joining. Fees charged to members include an annual membership fee of $195 trade dollars and a 12% commission on all sales. This fee is for generating new business for clients of our exchange network. |
