Barter is the exchange of goods and services without the use of cash. It is the oldest form of commerce and today more and more businesses are rediscovering the power of barter. When you need a product or service for your business, you can pay for it with your otherwise unsold products or services, meanwhile allowing your business to expand without additional cash outlay. Over 65% of the Fortune 500 companies engage in barter to one extent or another. In Southern California alone over 7,000 business engage in barter as an alternative to the cash driven economy.

Put it simply, barter save you cash. You pay for the goods and services you need with what you have to offer. Use barter tactfully can help you generate more cash business.

Barter reduce cash expenditures on operating costs therefore maximize working capital. It is the perfect tool for moving excess/obsolete inventory or non performing assets thus minimize costly write off or liquidation at deep discount. You can also use barter to reduce overhead costs and increase profit margin for the product or service you provide for your cash customers.

Barter brings new business. Your membership in the trade exchange bring you businesses that are otherwise beyond your market base. Members of the trade exchange are motivated to do business with you because you help them to save cash. You gain visibility, establish business relationships, gain referrals and pay for advertising using trade credits instead of cash, thus diversify your advertising avenues to bring you more cash business.

Expand your business geographically. Through barter, you can extend your business beyond your current market base. ABC trade exchange maintain relationships with many trade exchanges in the US and other countries, providing you with opportunities to establish your business presence nationally and internationally. On a smaller scale, barter allow your business to expand beyond your city or country limits.

- International Barter. Companies trade internationally, where payment is either in cash or goods or both. Seasonal goods and excess inventory can be easily traded to reduce lost and promote business.

For example:
- During the end of Summer, excess inventory from Spring and Summer fashin in the U.S. can be traded to Australia for native goods rare in the U.S.
- Japanese culture items, cars or consumer electronics can be trade to U.S. for American India culture goods for the Japanese market.

- Large firms use barter to move excess/obsolete inventory, allowing the companies to exchange in new markets and establish market share and brand names, therefore improve earnings and increase cash flow.

For example:
- Xerox traded a discontinued line of copiers for down payment of an office building.
- IBM traded their obsolete computers to clear its shelves and offset the cost of 120 VW and express mail services.

- Local businesses trade among themselves for products and services to reduce cash outlay, promote business and improve personal life style.

For example:
- An attorney can spend the barter dollars accumulated through trade for office supplies, auto rental/repair, business dinners and plumbing service.
- A restaurant owner can trade his service for kitchen supplies, grocery, new carpet, and plumbing service.
- A plumber can trade his service for auto repair, advertising, legal services or home entertainment systems.