Before I begin, I'd like to say that the subject line on my Google
'compose message' fills in the subject automatically, while you, uh,
stroke the keys (they're called keystrokes, okay?) and I have about 8
or 10 posts that start with OT. Perhaps I should actually learn
something about woodworking so that I can post something ON topic.
Having said that,

Do people still trade labor any more? Steve's post about wanting some
writing done in exchange for a plane got me to thinking about that. A
few weeks ago, I offered to hang about 50 SF of tongue-and-groove
wainscoating in exchange for a wood-burning stove and the lady who was
getting rid of the stove had to think about it for a minute. She was
on the verge of selling the stove for fifty bucks, and wasn't sure
about exchanging a couple of hours of my time for that stove.

I wanted the stove, she wanted the t&g hung, what's the problem?
Suppose that she had sold me the stove for $50 and used that money to
hire a 'real' carpenter who would have hung that 1x for her. If I
were trying to make a living at remodeling, it wouldn't have been
worth my time to drive 40 minutes, haul out my tools, make the cuts,
shoot off the t&g and collect my check for fifty dollars. I don't
make a living remodeling, and she doesn't make a living selling wood
stoves. That being said, we can remove all of the 'cost of doing
business' issues and strike a bargain. Or can we?

My folks did a lot of business like that. That's where I learned the
expression, "We'll take it out in trade." Do people not do that any
more? Do any of y'all do that?

My wife and I are friends with some folks that do a bit of business
breeding birds. We want a bird, they want an addition. I can frame,
side, drywall and trim it. Why not agree to a cash/bird deal? I
would enter into a deal like that with most of the people here, and
I've never met any of you in person.

Is it just that you should only do this with "good people?" Perhaps,
today, the line between "good people" and "no-good sunsabitches" is
getting blurrier and blurrier?

I'll stop before I get any further into my own psyche. Just wondering
out loud.

-Phil Crow

Do people still trade labor any more?

It still happens. A couple of summers ago, the power company cleared off the
right of way on our property. Left behind were a few cedar logs nearly a foot
in diameter. SWMBO and I loaded them up and took them to a guy we get lumber
from. He was a bandsaw mill, and provided the QS red oak for my Morris chairs.
We dropped off the logs, he said he'd let us know when he got to them. I was
gone on a job,and SWMBO called to tell me that she had traded the cutting on
the logs for some of her home-made soap. So I've got a resonable pile of rough
cut cedar boards for nothing more than our labor loading them and her labor
making a couple bars of soap. There's probably a line to be had in there about
one hand washing the other, but that would be a stretch.

John

We still trade out here in southeast Mo. last summer I was needing a riding
mower and a guy I know was needing a computer. I tried out the mower and he
played around on the computer. We traded and still friends. Someone I work
with was building a garage, I helped him frame up all the walls, hang the
trusses and he supplied me with all the 2x4's and siding I needed for a 8x10
shed I was building. A few months back a woodworker that comes to the
dealership to buy parts for the company he works for was building his
daughter a cedar chest with 2 drawers in it. He asked me to dove tail them
for him. I dove tailed the drawers and he gave me a few pieces of walnut I
needed for a project. If we can't trade out some labor/items and help each
other out what have we become.

--
Mike S.



"JPLipe" wrote in message
...
Do people still trade labor any more?

It still happens. A couple of summers ago, the power company cleared off
the
right of way on our property. Left behind were a few cedar logs nearly a
foot
in diameter. SWMBO and I loaded them up and took them to a guy we get
lumber
from. He was a bandsaw mill, and provided the QS red oak for my Morris
chairs.
We dropped off the logs, he said he'd let us know when he got to them. I
was
gone on a job,and SWMBO called to tell me that she had traded the cutting
on
the logs for some of her home-made soap. So I've got a resonable pile of
rough
cut cedar boards for nothing more than our labor loading them and her
labor
making a couple bars of soap. There's probably a line to be had in there
about
one hand washing the other, but that would be a stretch.

John

I'd say she was getting a hell of a deal.
If I
were trying to make a living at remodeling, it wouldn't have been
worth my time to drive 40 minutes, haul out my tools, make the cuts,
shoot off the t&g and collect my check for fifty dollars.

That's for Damm Sure!
you should have told her to get an estimate from a 'real' carpenter , She
would be calling you that night.
Tony D.

"Phil Crow" wrote in message
om...
Do people still trade labor any more? Steve's post about wanting some
writing done in exchange for a plane got me to thinking about that. A
few weeks ago, I offered to hang about 50 SF of tongue-and-groove
wainscoating in exchange for a wood-burning stove and the lady who was
getting rid of the stove had to think about it for a minute. She was
on the verge of selling the stove for fifty bucks, and wasn't sure
about exchanging a couple of hours of my time for that stove.
ISnip

On 6 Jan 2004 19:02:05 -0800, (Phil Crow)
wrote:



Do people still trade labor any more?

-Phil Crow


I do, but I'm finding it harder to do. for some reason people seem to
think I should give them a huge discount on my time if it's in trade.
not all people, but enough that I rarely suggest it anymore.
Bridger

On 07 Jan 2004 03:50:13 GMT, (JPLipe) wrote:

Do people still trade labor any more?

For significant expenses (like roofing or air conditioning work), each
person prepares a bid for the other person's job. Bids are then
exchanged and differences in costs are negotiated.

The labor can still be traded, as well as most of the materials in
such an arrangement.

Bridger wrote:

On 6 Jan 2004 19:02:05 -0800, (Phil Crow)
wrote:



Do people still trade labor any more?

-Phil Crow



I do, but I'm finding it harder to do. for some reason people seem to
think I should give them a huge discount on my time if it's in trade.
not all people, but enough that I rarely suggest it anymore.


People want a huge discount period.

Most recently:

Neighbor asks me to give a price on replacing the trusses and roof on
his ~ 16x20 block walled garage. I would have removed the rotted roofing
and rafters, trimmed the trees that caused the rot, and replace it for
$400 labor, he buys the parts. I like the guy, a pipe fitter and he
would have labored. He asked if I could cut him a deal.

I told him to get someone else.




--

Mark

N.E. Ohio


Never argue with a fool, a bystander can't tell you apart. (S. Clemens,
A.K.A. Mark Twain)

When in doubt hit the throttle. It may not help but it sure ends the
suspense. (Gaz, r.moto)

Absolutely.... I have a friend that owns a sports car repair shop and has a
small network of 5 computers that I maintain for him in exchange for my auto
repairs. Nice having the #4 rated Porsche mechanic in the country tweaking
on my two, not so sports cars....;-)

Bob S.

On 6 Jan 2004 19:02:05 -0800, (Phil Crow)
brought forth from the murky depths:

Before I begin, I'd like to say that the subject line on my Google
'compose message' fills in the subject automatically, while you, uh,
stroke the keys (they're called keystrokes, okay?) and I have about 8
or 10 posts that start with OT. Perhaps I should actually learn
something about woodworking so that I can post something ON topic.
Having said that,

Do people still trade labor any more? Steve's post about wanting some
writing done in exchange for a plane got me to thinking about that.

Yes. I belong to a trade organization, a barter bank, and did about
$6,000 in trade last year. The bank idea is that you trade to the bank
and can then use your credits with any of the 3,500 worldwide members,
not just straight trading with a single other party. [If you join BXI,
please mention my name. They pay us $100 (in trade) for referrals.]
http://ww3.bxinsider.com/

I sold my time-share and did some web programming/marketing for that.
I bought dental work, gifts, my tax preparation, advertising, a guitar
tuner, and several other things with the barter bucks.


few weeks ago, I offered to hang about 50 SF of tongue-and-groove
wainscoating in exchange for a wood-burning stove and the lady who was
getting rid of the stove had to think about it for a minute. She was
on the verge of selling the stove for fifty bucks, and wasn't sure
about exchanging a couple of hours of my time for that stove.

Legally, you're supposed to report all trade monies to the IRS.
BXI sends a 1099 to them every year for me. Straight trades such
as you speak of are probably seldom reported by most people.


My folks did a lot of business like that. That's where I learned the
expression, "We'll take it out in trade." Do people not do that any
more? Do any of y'all do that?

When I hear the phrase "We'll take it out in trade." I think of the
times when pretty (but cashless) girls wanted their cars fixed. Ah,
the good old days... I also used to trade work for beer back in those
days. I've rescreened doors, installed windows, planed doors to fit,
painted, built shelving, etc. in trade, too. --obww, finally

Whenever you trade, it's nice to get a fair deal, but it's not
necessarily going to happen that way. Your time was probably worth
more but you wanted the stove. Whatever works for you is great.


================================================== =======
The Titanic. The Hindenburg. + http://www.diversify.com
The Clintons. + Website & Graphic Design
================================================== =======

Larry Jaques wrote:

Legally, you're supposed to report all trade monies to the IRS.
BXI sends a 1099 to them every year for me. Straight trades such
as you speak of are probably seldom reported by most people.

When I set up my business, 20 years ago, I was warned by my accountant
not to "trade" services. I was informed the IRS and state tax bureau
REALLY do frown on the idea.

I've found it's usually to my advantage to use my normal billing charges
and then pay for the service/merchandise I require and skip the dickering.

--
Jack Novak
Buffalo, NY - USA
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