The ancient system of exchanging goods and services without money – commonly known as barter – has made a big comeback for central Jersey businesses since the 1990s with the formation of the BarterPays! Network of businesses.

What is a Barter Network?
A barter network (also known as a barter or trade exchange) is a business network where companies buy and sell without paying cash/credit card. The BarterPays! Network shares similar characteristics with a bank, chamber of commerce and a marketing agency. But combining these elements makes BarterPays! a very powerful and innovative way to market your business. Being part of the Network allows you a low-cost way to get new business and buy things at your own cost of doing business. And it's a way to meet and network with other business owners in a warm and friendly environment. Yet, a trade exchange eliminates the restrictions of one-on-one trading where each business must want what the other has to offer.

A Multi-Billion Dollar Industry
The International Reciprocal Trade Association estimates that over 470,000 companies barter in the United States for a total of over $12 billion in annual sales. Over 65% of the corporations listed in the New York Stock Exchange are presently using barter to reduce surplus inventory and bolster sales and to ensure that production facilities run at near capacity. The U.S. Department of Commerce estimates that 20% to 25% of world trade is now barter, and corporate barter is now a $20 billion industry. Barter continues to carve out an important place in the U.S. and world economy.

A Barter Transaction is Easy
Purchasing goods and services through the BarterPays! Network is as simple as a credit card transaction. During a typical transaction, a Buyer presents his BarterPays! account card and pays with BarterPays! barter dollars, the BarterPays! unit of exchange. Sales tax and gratuity, if any, are paid in U.S. funds. The Seller calls the 24-hour Automatic Authorization line to get an approval number. Information is noted on the Transaction Form, supplied by BarterPays!, and the completed paperwork is sent to BarterPays! for final posting. All members get a monthly Statement showing sales, purchases and commission fees due. Now the Seller has barter dollars and purchases from another member in the Network. The cycle is ongoing as barter dollars are always circulating.