P
propertybillionaire
- Original Poster
- #1
Hi, does anyone have any experience of Bartercard? I am thinking of accepting it and wondered what the pro's and cons are.
Many thanks
Many thanks
yes I have used bartercard for the past couple of years to boost rentals in my Florida villa and also to advertise my site for Florida villas.
I have used it only to supplement income but am accumulating trade pounds--why? because I have difficulty spending those trade pounds on what I need for that business!!! I will be using some to set up further web sites etc to create more normal cash trade.
the use of bartercard and membership of it has brought other benefits: i.e advertsing in their business directory which has generated a substantial amount of cash sales as opposed to barter trade sales.-- bartercard do not particularly like use of its facilities to generate cash sales but its a free country!!
think carefully before joining it--several promises were made which turned out to be,shall we say, less than100% true but overall it has given me extra trade and more contacts for my business.
at the end of the day you can decide how much or how little trade you want to do on barter!
I have used it only to supplement income but am accumulating trade pounds--why? because I have difficulty spending those trade pounds on what I need for that business!!! I will be using some to set up further web sites etc to create more normal cash trade.
the use of bartercard and membership of it has brought other benefits: i.e advertsing in their business directory which has generated a substantial amount of cash sales as opposed to barter trade sales.-- bartercard do not particularly like use of its facilities to generate cash sales but its a free country!!
think carefully before joining it--several promises were made which turned out to be,shall we say, less than100% true but overall it has given me extra trade and more contacts for my business.
at the end of the day you can decide how much or how little trade you want to do on barter!
Upvote
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B
bryceland
- Original Poster
- #4
Just came onto this site and was astonished to find what can best be described as a blog from a person who does not know what he is talking about. I have had dealings with Bartercard for 6 years now and can say that in that time I have never had anything but genuine help from them in order to firstly establish and then maintain growth for my business. It has opened up a whole new market place for me and has dramatically improved my cashflow and profitability. I use it to offset my cash expenses thereby still buying what I need ( anything from a haircut to holidays and furniture, office and home, to computers. Servicing on vehicles and buildings to printing and other marketing costs to even my daughters wedding). The thing to remember about Bartercard is that every penny you spend of their trade pounds is guaranteed to come back in new business that you dont even have to find. Try that in the cash economy!! Another important aspect of the program is that no member is tied in for any length of time and they can leave whenever they want. As for the honesty of the staff and in particular the consultant who showed the system to me. I have found them to be nothing but honest and totally up front. Maybe your promises that were allegedly made did not seem accurate because you did not listen to what was being said and only took in what you wanted to hear. If Bartercard is not something you feel is as good for you as you expected then please leave and let the other 6000 or so business members in the UK get on with it. These are not only my views but the views of every single member I have had dealings with and believe me that runs into a lot of members.
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bryceland
you seem to have built up a fair head of steam there at what amounts to someone's personal opinion - so steamy are your glasses that you are at risk of having people believe that you maybe have something to do with Bartercard - heaven forfend - but you just joined today and have only posted on this one issue?
Could you give us a brief rundown of the benefits of this scheme - without blowing your top?
Kind Regards
xsailer
you seem to have built up a fair head of steam there at what amounts to someone's personal opinion - so steamy are your glasses that you are at risk of having people believe that you maybe have something to do with Bartercard - heaven forfend - but you just joined today and have only posted on this one issue?
Could you give us a brief rundown of the benefits of this scheme - without blowing your top?
Kind Regards
xsailer
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I assume that Bryceland you are having pop at me.--if so why?:I am only offerring an opinion on a question asked and have no ulterior motive for promoting Bartercard or otherwise. I trust you do not have any such motives!
If so I would respectfully ask you to re read my post and re read it carefully.
BARTERCARD is not perfect and no one pretends it is or has been including senior staff with whom I had a lengthy personal meeting a week or so ago:also take a look how they have revamped their auction sites admitting in the process that it was not working properly.
HOWEVER things have worked well for me generally as I have stated with many benefits along the way but it would be wrong not to state the problems I have had which are well documented with BARTER CARD MANAGEMENT.
AS for broken promises:mmmmmmm perhaps without you being there you are not in a position to utter such an opinion so your comments are irrelevant on that point.
For the benefit of any doubt on this: I was told several times that I could spend my money world wide and in USA in particular and in Florida as they had a branch in TALLAHASSE. As most of the barter trade I do is selling rental in my villa it seems logically to spend that money on something which would benefit the rental home for visitors--improvements, better furniture etc etc., games room, wide screen TVS ETC ETC
Within a week of signing up that branch had closed down and had apparently been going under for sometime so gone was the ability to spend where I wanted to spend--- now is that a misunderstanding or what?
that said BARTERCARD has helped my business but, quite frankly, I do not just want to spend hard earned Barter card business on haircuts.
JUST A FEW EXAMPLES OF NO SPENDABILITY ON BARTER recently!
air fares, hotel accommodation, television, white electrical goods. local restauarants[many of whom have pulled out of the scheme] The list is endless and it can be totally frustrating trying to do a deal with a BARTERCARD member who turns around and says-- sorry mate cannot do that for you today but maybe........................... sometime whenever or sorry mate cannot do any more BARTER as I cannot spend it..
In the discussion with senior management it emerged that they were very worried about recruiting members and then losing those members off the trailer after a year or so as that was no way to build their businessand the fact thant many trade co-ordinators were not addressing thsi situation properly. I understand that better training processes are coming on line.
As I stated in my earlier post-- there are many GOOD ASPECTS FOR BARTERCARD TRADE BUT THERE ARE ALSO SOME VERY WORRYING POINTS-- it is for people to make their own decsion as to how the system can benefit them-if they feel it can then join:if not do not!!!- That was the gist of my post.
If so I would respectfully ask you to re read my post and re read it carefully.
BARTERCARD is not perfect and no one pretends it is or has been including senior staff with whom I had a lengthy personal meeting a week or so ago:also take a look how they have revamped their auction sites admitting in the process that it was not working properly.
HOWEVER things have worked well for me generally as I have stated with many benefits along the way but it would be wrong not to state the problems I have had which are well documented with BARTER CARD MANAGEMENT.
AS for broken promises:mmmmmmm perhaps without you being there you are not in a position to utter such an opinion so your comments are irrelevant on that point.
For the benefit of any doubt on this: I was told several times that I could spend my money world wide and in USA in particular and in Florida as they had a branch in TALLAHASSE. As most of the barter trade I do is selling rental in my villa it seems logically to spend that money on something which would benefit the rental home for visitors--improvements, better furniture etc etc., games room, wide screen TVS ETC ETC
Within a week of signing up that branch had closed down and had apparently been going under for sometime so gone was the ability to spend where I wanted to spend--- now is that a misunderstanding or what?
that said BARTERCARD has helped my business but, quite frankly, I do not just want to spend hard earned Barter card business on haircuts.
JUST A FEW EXAMPLES OF NO SPENDABILITY ON BARTER recently!
air fares, hotel accommodation, television, white electrical goods. local restauarants[many of whom have pulled out of the scheme] The list is endless and it can be totally frustrating trying to do a deal with a BARTERCARD member who turns around and says-- sorry mate cannot do that for you today but maybe........................... sometime whenever or sorry mate cannot do any more BARTER as I cannot spend it..
In the discussion with senior management it emerged that they were very worried about recruiting members and then losing those members off the trailer after a year or so as that was no way to build their businessand the fact thant many trade co-ordinators were not addressing thsi situation properly. I understand that better training processes are coming on line.
As I stated in my earlier post-- there are many GOOD ASPECTS FOR BARTERCARD TRADE BUT THERE ARE ALSO SOME VERY WORRYING POINTS-- it is for people to make their own decsion as to how the system can benefit them-if they feel it can then join:if not do not!!!- That was the gist of my post.
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B
bryceland
- Original Poster
- #7
Aplogise for being a tad vehement in my comments earlier. I initially had people advising not to get involved with the program and when I joined they continually promised it would 'end in tears'. This was very frustrating and did give me serious doubts about the decision I had taken. As is still obvious, there is still a underlying frustration when I read or hear comments from people who either have not been involved as a member or listen to others who have not been involved directly. This does not apply to you and for that I retract totally anything which caused offence.
In short Bartercard promises to supply new customers and the payment for these new sales are used to pay for things that would usually be paid for in cash. The thing that attracted me to them was the new business aspect. I know that a lot of members use the various marketing companies in the system to promote themselves and as a result gain extra cash business. I will state categorically that I am not employed by Bartercard but truly believe that the options the system provides are of great advantage to the members.
I hope this clarifies my situation and you are able to accept that my comments came from frustration rather than from any hidden agenda or malice. Apologies again.
In short Bartercard promises to supply new customers and the payment for these new sales are used to pay for things that would usually be paid for in cash. The thing that attracted me to them was the new business aspect. I know that a lot of members use the various marketing companies in the system to promote themselves and as a result gain extra cash business. I will state categorically that I am not employed by Bartercard but truly believe that the options the system provides are of great advantage to the members.
I hope this clarifies my situation and you are able to accept that my comments came from frustration rather than from any hidden agenda or malice. Apologies again.
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no problem:I hate being misrepresented. There are some excellent ways of generating more business on BARTERCARD as my trading statement shows but there are frustrations and it would be wrong not to highlight these when being given the chance, through this forum, to express an honest opinion to other businessmen.
so let us draw a line under the matter. full stop. end of conversation. lets get on with generating income both in the barter world and the cash world.
so maybe we can talk about helping each other's respective businesses through bartercard as surely that is why we joined the scheme x number of years ago.
you know how to contact me:I know not how to contact you.
so let us draw a line under the matter. full stop. end of conversation. lets get on with generating income both in the barter world and the cash world.
so maybe we can talk about helping each other's respective businesses through bartercard as surely that is why we joined the scheme x number of years ago.
you know how to contact me:I know not how to contact you.
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my advice is be aware of anyone who asks you to part with a £1000.00 upfront with no offer of guaranteed results just promises.
There is a guarantee of a refund if Bartercard fails to send you new business equal to your joining fee, what you are not told is that the refund is in their trade pound currency not sterling.
Also make sure you read the terms and conditions before you pay your joining fee, they do exist and they are in the back of the directory you are given after you have paid your money not before.
There is also no formal cooling off period, make sure you get in writing from the local franchise owner a confirmed cooling off period that begins after your account manager has been to see you to complete your new members pack as you can not start buying and selling until this has been completed.
Be aware that certain high value products are not readily available despite in spite of what the rep tells you, new IT kit, cars, flights, and luxury electrical goods when available tend to be sold on the Bartercard auction site, when I was involved with Bartercard 32" LCD tvs worth 399.00 in shops regularly sold for 2-3000.00 and laptops upto 7 times the shop price.
Also ask for written confirmation of all cash charges before you part wih your cash, if DNET is not mentioned you do not have the full story, this is a cash charge for members who have used their interest free line of credit and are debt to Bartercard over 1000.00 trade pounds and have not made any sales in a month.
Joining fee - there are different levels to join at these start at less than 400.00 not 1000.00
When buying always make sure you get a VAT receipt or if asked to pay up front a proper invoice, do not let Bartercard account managers urge you to sign vouchers for payment nder premis the client will send you receipt or invoice later, if you buy something for a thousand pounds be it cash or trade pounds you try to explain to tax man where that money has gone with out a receipt.
In the of a dispute or complaint with another member Bartercard will not get involved as they are only the third party record keeper, the favorite saying is would you complain to Barclaycard if some one did not give you a receipt.... maybe not but you can ask them to refund your barclay card if you buy something with it and it is not delivered! please note Barclaycard is not associated with Bartercard.
The cost of trade pound will be worked out by your account manager, it is roughly based on the difference between your selling price and your cash cost plus the fees for the transaction what is not included in your cost of trade pound is your monthly cash admin costs which.
Also bear in mind that bartercard does not guarantee that members will trade and do not guarantee your ability to spend your trade pounds. If you want something and it is not readily available you will be asked for referals or for details of companies that you have contacted that will supply the goods in cash, the idea being a member of the sales team will call and try and bring them in to the system generating more cash for bartercard and a possibility of getting something that you want.
If you want to close your account and you are in debt to Bartercard in trade pounds you have 30 days to sell goods and services to other members to clear the debt, after this they can ask payment in cash to settle debt, there is no just walking away with the debt dissapearing if you are told this ask for it in writing.
If you want to close your account and you are in trade credit you must prepay the cash fees due on your entire credit up front and you then get a certain amount of time to spend your trade pounds, after this period of time any credit left unpsent will either be moved to a slush fund called unclaimed credit or you may be given gift vouchers depending on amount.
Although you may end up settling your trade debt in sterling, if you are in credit there is no exchanging the trade for cash.
If you are a member of Bartercard you are not allowed to join any other trade / bartering organisations, if you do they can cancel your membership and you would have lost your joining fee.
That aside, if you can keep your head and are prepared to work hard at it Bartercard card can be a useful business tool, dont be misled by promises at point of sale, the sales team are commision only and hence under great pressure to make sales so you will find Bartercard reps on these forums defending the system, they are normally distinquished by polished pro Bartercard statments and quotes from prominent business people singing the virtues of Bartering. your account manager will assist you to trade but ultimate responsibility is your own.
Hope this helps
There is a guarantee of a refund if Bartercard fails to send you new business equal to your joining fee, what you are not told is that the refund is in their trade pound currency not sterling.
Also make sure you read the terms and conditions before you pay your joining fee, they do exist and they are in the back of the directory you are given after you have paid your money not before.
There is also no formal cooling off period, make sure you get in writing from the local franchise owner a confirmed cooling off period that begins after your account manager has been to see you to complete your new members pack as you can not start buying and selling until this has been completed.
Be aware that certain high value products are not readily available despite in spite of what the rep tells you, new IT kit, cars, flights, and luxury electrical goods when available tend to be sold on the Bartercard auction site, when I was involved with Bartercard 32" LCD tvs worth 399.00 in shops regularly sold for 2-3000.00 and laptops upto 7 times the shop price.
Also ask for written confirmation of all cash charges before you part wih your cash, if DNET is not mentioned you do not have the full story, this is a cash charge for members who have used their interest free line of credit and are debt to Bartercard over 1000.00 trade pounds and have not made any sales in a month.
Joining fee - there are different levels to join at these start at less than 400.00 not 1000.00
When buying always make sure you get a VAT receipt or if asked to pay up front a proper invoice, do not let Bartercard account managers urge you to sign vouchers for payment nder premis the client will send you receipt or invoice later, if you buy something for a thousand pounds be it cash or trade pounds you try to explain to tax man where that money has gone with out a receipt.
In the of a dispute or complaint with another member Bartercard will not get involved as they are only the third party record keeper, the favorite saying is would you complain to Barclaycard if some one did not give you a receipt.... maybe not but you can ask them to refund your barclay card if you buy something with it and it is not delivered! please note Barclaycard is not associated with Bartercard.
The cost of trade pound will be worked out by your account manager, it is roughly based on the difference between your selling price and your cash cost plus the fees for the transaction what is not included in your cost of trade pound is your monthly cash admin costs which.
Also bear in mind that bartercard does not guarantee that members will trade and do not guarantee your ability to spend your trade pounds. If you want something and it is not readily available you will be asked for referals or for details of companies that you have contacted that will supply the goods in cash, the idea being a member of the sales team will call and try and bring them in to the system generating more cash for bartercard and a possibility of getting something that you want.
If you want to close your account and you are in debt to Bartercard in trade pounds you have 30 days to sell goods and services to other members to clear the debt, after this they can ask payment in cash to settle debt, there is no just walking away with the debt dissapearing if you are told this ask for it in writing.
If you want to close your account and you are in trade credit you must prepay the cash fees due on your entire credit up front and you then get a certain amount of time to spend your trade pounds, after this period of time any credit left unpsent will either be moved to a slush fund called unclaimed credit or you may be given gift vouchers depending on amount.
Although you may end up settling your trade debt in sterling, if you are in credit there is no exchanging the trade for cash.
If you are a member of Bartercard you are not allowed to join any other trade / bartering organisations, if you do they can cancel your membership and you would have lost your joining fee.
That aside, if you can keep your head and are prepared to work hard at it Bartercard card can be a useful business tool, dont be misled by promises at point of sale, the sales team are commision only and hence under great pressure to make sales so you will find Bartercard reps on these forums defending the system, they are normally distinquished by polished pro Bartercard statments and quotes from prominent business people singing the virtues of Bartering. your account manager will assist you to trade but ultimate responsibility is your own.
Hope this helps
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be very carefull, If you do get high into credit they are not al that forth come with assistance and I was only £10k in credit. I was continuely asking for help and my local office which was within their head office gave little or no support. Bartercard are only looking out for Number 1 themselves, They were kicked off the stock exchange due to discripencies. what does that tell you
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