New Person-To-Person Barter
Sites Underway
Today, on a much more
modest but realistic level, the use of algorithms (for
conducting trades) is again being implemented in the
marketplace. And, assuredly, we will see advancements in
this direction. Someday we may even see a workable
UltraTrade model.
An online barter startup
called
www.Swaptree.com is presently getting attention,
because of their ability to put together direct trades
between two to 4 parties. To facilitate the trades, which
are limited to books, CDs, DVDs and video games, Swaptree
requires the use of UPC bar codes of the titles.
Most noteworthy is the
attainment of a cooperative effort with Amazon, eBay, and
nine other sites...whose users are notified when the book or
CD they�re seeking is available on Swaptree. The company
says no commissions will be charged for the arranged trades,
as they anticipate obtaining revenue by selling ads.
Other
Efforts. .
.
Another online barter
site, www.SwapThing.com, offers greater trading
versatility than Swaptree in that users can use a
combination of goods and services in their bartering
efforts. Plus and when an imbalance occurs, cash can be used
to even out the trade.
Several years ago we
reported on Tom Langel�s TradeTracker, a matching tool for
three and four way exchanges. It�s used to track real estate
presentations and identify transactions for brokers (exchangors)
specializing in 1031 exchanges.
TradeTracker was also
used as a high-tech barter/auction system�matching product
to product with different items or services on a multi-level
platform. See
www.tradeaway.com.
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