Is Barter Exchange Primitive?

Though barter is a concept that most people consider crude, it is thought that the barter system was only relevant in prehistoric societies. It is believed that since we have paper and plastic money that there is no need for bartering. However, there is a growing resurgence of the barter system assist trade and commerce between companies is making critics of the system take another look.

An exchange for barter services allows its member organizations/individuals to trade raw materials, supplies, finished goods, or services using a virtual currency that is limited to use by that exchange’s members. Barter systems can help its member organizations to reduce inventory, save inventory costs, boost revenues, and utilize their maximum production capacity.

Historically, barter systems were designed so that each party involved had to buy and sell from one another. Today however, there is a astronomical difference in the way barter systems and exchanges are completed. Our modern day barter exchange allows members to buy or sell from a specific party and pay in credits. This eliminates the only two parties to a transaction clause of old. This virtual currency provides for seamless and multiple transactions.

Use of virtual currency in a barter currency saves its members from the obligation to deal with the same party for both buying and selling of goods or services. Of course, you need to pay a small amount to the barter exchange as commission on each trade transaction that you make with another exchange member. Another advantage of trade swap is attributed to the need for liquidity in traditional commercial transactions.

Most of us have little knowledge about barter exchanges .We don’t know clearly how barter exchanges work and operate. You might be surprised to learn that Internal Revenue Service has laid down some specific laws to govern the process of bartering.

The form 1099 B is to be used by barter exchange, has to provide specific details of proceeds from all operations, which can be filled in electronically as well as paper formats. March 30 will be the last date to fill this form by barter exchange.

There exists a significant difference between the barter system as is commonly understood, and the actual barter trades carried out through an exchange. In the traditional bartering trade, both parties involved were required to make a sale and a purchase from the other party. This mandate limited the choice of clients, and fetched lower values for goods and services. In comparison, the present day barter exchange operations allow their members to purchase or sell from another specific member, and settle the transaction in trade credits, which is also called barter currency. Satisfying the need for liquidity in commercial transactions is another advantage of this form of trade swap.

- Terry Lamb


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