The Art of Barter

June 1, 2010
Barter, the exchange of goods or services without an exchange of money, is the subject of this primer in which Hoffman (executive director, International Reciprocal Trade Assoc.) and business journalist Dalin discuss bartering as it applies both to exchanging goods, e.g., household items, books, and collectibles, and to exchanging services, e.g., cooking, accounting, graphic design, and music lessons. The authors thoroughly discuss the relevant issues, such as its upsides and downsides, taxation issues, teaching bartering skills to children, and obtaining necessary work experience via bartering. They provide case studies throughout the book, along with summaries of trading tips. Especially helpful is the directory of resources, which lists trade associations and web sites including those for specialty barter groups for books, textbooks, and cell phones, among other items. The authors provide sample forms such as a trade tracking list, a purchase request, and a barter agreement. Hoffman and Dalin's stated goal is "to reveal the wide array of possibilities that barter can bring into your life and the joys that will come with them." In this they have succeeded. VERDICT In these difficult economic times, readers will benefit from consulting this very practical book. Recommended.Lucy T. Heckman, St. John's Univ. Lib., New York

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