Posted on 05/19/2009 4:46:01 PM PDT by JoeProBono
Amid Recession, Some Save By Turning To Pre-Money Commerce:
The turtleneck from designer Marc Jacobs costs hundreds of dollars at Neiman Marcus or Saks Fifth Avenue. But at one Brooklyn bar, the charcoal-gray sweater was free for the taking - along with jeans, belts and shoes.
The neighborhood watering hole called Sycamore will never be mistaken for a department store, but for some recession-battered consumers, it's serving a similar purpose. It's a chance to update their wardrobes and capture the adventure of shopping without having to open their wallets.
"It's guilt-free shopping," said Shannon McDowell, a bartender and swapper.
Friends have been trading among themselves as long as parents have been handing down outgrown baby clothes. Now, with some help from the Internet, swaps among strangers are cropping up in bars, schools, garages and churches across the United States.
The rules are simple: you bring something before you take something, and money never changes hands.
Can you direct me to the firearms section?
Give ‘em time...they’ll tax it. *rolling eyes*
In all socialist and communist states, the underground economy flourishes. Especially bartering
Frugal shopping?
I’ve bought more firearms and ammo during the past 6 months, than I have in the past 12 years combined!
Beats the embarrassment of being caught re-gifting.
I will have tomatoes and wonderful hot and sweet peppers and loads of zucchini along with an eggplant or two to trade for some 5.56mm ammo in a month!
Officially, they claim the ability to, they just don't have the resources to deal with it. Barter activity is supposed to be considered income, based on the fair market value of the items or services bartered.
Home grown veggies are the best.
Yeah! But my Armalite AR-180 don’t eat ‘em!
This is new?
I been trading hats, caps, head covers, etc. for years. T-shirts sometimes also.
Here, let me swap my prosperity for your big government boondoggle!
“the rules are simple”... yeah... right . how long did the “free store” at haight ashbury last again? oh tell it again granpa, tell it again!
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