How My First Barter Went
A few days ago I told you about how I placed an ad in the Barter section of Craig’s List seeking an experienced hair colorist to do my hair. I was offering decluttering and organizing in exchange. A nice woman named Kim called and I went over to meet her (she lives just seven miles away) and discuss everything. Today was our first appointment. So I’m sure you’ve been wondering all week, “I wonder how the barter went.” Did I get a haircut and color that I could live with? Was Kim satisfied with her end of the deal? Did I save any money? In a word: YES!!!!!
Folks, barter works. I got a great cut and color. She spent about an hour and a half on my hair. I spent an hour and a half on decluttering a bit of her house. No money changed hands. I saved about $140 and she saved about $100.
I will be going back next week to do more decluttering. I thought it would be dumb to declutter Kim’s house only when I needed my hair cut, which is every six weeks. We will keep a tally of my hours worked and then Kim will give me haircuts accordingly.
I am very, very happy. And so is Kim.
October 24th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Glad to hear the details. I was wondering how it all went, since I first read your post. Also, I did want to let you know that you did inspire me to look for bartering opportunities myself.
October 24th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
My husband tried to barter with our dentist for a bathroom renovation. It didn’t work out though in the end, maybe we’ll try again some time. I guess maybe it was just too big. Someday though the tax man will find a way to get it’s pound of flesh, lol…ciao
October 24th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
This is great! I like this idea and am so glad it worked out so well for you both.
October 24th, 2008 at 10:58 pm
We bartered pheasants for chickens, pheasants for snakes, and peaches for home grown veggies. I love to barter. I’d also love for you to help me declutter, ahh let’s see.. what can I barter with you now that the peaches are gone, the chickens haven’t started laying yet, and we set the pheasants free last weekend, oh and the snakes haven’t seen them since.
How bout you get to keep what we declutter!
October 24th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
No fair! Where are the pics of the new cut and color and before and after?
October 25th, 2008 at 7:22 am
Maria, I hope you get some great trades going. I am going to report any/all that I get.
Rositta; I have seen barters on Craig’s List for dental work. I hope you try again!
Janey: I love Colorado. I would gladly come over and declutter for a week.
Pam: I am shy.
October 26th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
love this story! you go, girl…get your boomer followers to follow your lead. me? i’ve stopped buying yarn for knitting, focus on the stash on the shelves. but i’d love to think up a barter.
October 26th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Great post. I had no idea there was organized bartering.
October 27th, 2008 at 7:18 am
[...] about.What brought this to mind was a post I found on Boomer Chronicles. Check it out…How My First Barter Went – Boomer ChroniclesAnd an article from [...]
October 27th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Smart Mouth and Naomi, there’s been quite a response to this post in terms of links to it. Bartering has been an interest of mine for a long time. I am going to look into doing another post soon on bartering resources.
November 10th, 2008 at 11:24 am
[...] you know, The Boomer Chronicles is always ahead of the curve. Remember I told you I’m bartering haircuts and color with someone I connected with via Craig’s List? Well, I’m part of a [...]