Bartering for services?

[lisakitty]

Has anyone ever done bartering with their business before? I'm hearing a lot about this lately.

I heard a newspaper near here is shorthanded and I was thinking of offering some of my photojournalism skills in exchange for advertising. Do you think they'd go for it?

Has anyone done stuff like that before or is it just not done?

[HotHolly]

I barter with my hair dresser and nail gal. (two different salons). They keep a tally of how much I run up with them and then redeem it with me 1x-2x a year. Make sure you LIKE who ever you barter with.

Also, you are more likely to be able to barter with mom and pop shops for ads than a paper. I would try it, but would be surprised if they agreed. Papers make their money off their ads so I would think the trade would be uneven (in their heads).

You might want to go after ads in the Kids Directory, Women's Directory, and Wedding Guides for barter since they are locally owned.

[Tom]

I dont think most newspapers pay enough for photos to make that trade worth it unless you did a TON of work for them for an ad. Probably not gonna work for you.

I barter services all the time. I love it.

[sanmay]

I barter all the time...recently I am doing some work with my dentist office. I have gotten 2 root canals, teeth whitening and a root canal for my mother and two fillings.

[Breezy]

Dang I was bartering in TX but for nothing big like ya'll are talking about. I need to hit the Ortho up since 2 kids are now in Braces and the 3rd will be by the end of the year.
Never thought to barter for hair/nails.

[CaptainTom]

When you barter, make sure your service price is priced at full value.
The merchant isn't likely to trade your $500 photo services and also give you a big discount on the merchandise.

[JohnT]

Yep. Getting ready to do that shortly. I'm going to barter a family photo session for two logo-embroidered polo shirts (I'm providing the shirts). These are friends of mine so it should work out fine.

[glchism]

I have traded pics for ads in yearbooks. It did increase interest in senior pictures.

[kenw]

And realize that bartering "income"is taxable income according to the IRS.....

[jenmazy]

I shoot the covers for a local magazine in exchange for a free ad. I never thought about trading for hair or nail services though. How would I approach someone about that? I need to find a dentist who wants to trade!!! I need a root canal and I just lost my insurance.

jenmazy added 0 Minutes and 45 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Originally Posted by kenw

And realize that bartering "income"is taxable income according to the IRS.....

true! I just found that out from my accountant.... who I also barter with

[blazinphotography]

I am currently taking photographs for two Newspapers as needed and in return they are giving me Free Ad space. They are also giving me Photo Credit on all photographs I take. Just ask them all they can say is no or even offer it to you at a discounted rate.

[brad]

Originally Posted by kenw

And realize that bartering "income"is taxable income according to the IRS.....

Thanks.. I saw the thread title and was coming in just to add that.. but you beat me to it.

Be very careful bartering .. I *think* you can agree with the other party to seriously discount your services before doing the barter and that will impact how the IRS looks at it... but if it is an official barter, you should have receipts for it just like if cash was exchanged.

Consult the experts, though... I've heard horror stories of the IRS slapping people with huge bills of taxes and late fees because they didn't handle it correctly.

And as always.... IANAL IANACPA and YMMV

[Cajungaltx]

Originally Posted by brad

Thanks.. I saw the thread title and was coming in just to add that.. but you beat me to it.

Be very careful bartering .. I *think* you can agree with the other party to seriously discount your services before doing the barter and that will impact how the IRS looks at it... but if it is an official barter, you should have receipts for it just like if cash was exchanged.

Consult the experts, though... I've heard horror stories of the IRS slapping people with huge bills of taxes and late fees because they didn't handle it correctly.

And as always.... IANAL IANACPA and YMMV

Just had to say - LOVE the new photo!

[toverman]

Originally Posted by lisakitty

Has anyone ever done bartering with their business before? I'm hearing a lot about this lately.

I heard a newspaper near here is shorthanded and I was thinking of offering some of my photojournalism skills in exchange for advertising. Do you think they'd go for it?

Has anyone done stuff like that before or is it just not done?

The newspaper I used to be editor of up here started bartering with a photographer for services. Basically, they list his Web site in the photo credit; he gets no other ad space. If I were still there, that deal never would have flown because my journalism-degreed self believes ads shouldn't creep into the editorial space. But the nature of the newspaper business is changing as it dwindles into oblivion.

But I say go for it. Maybe it will work out.