While it’s obviously important to get the items you need, you must keep in mind that bartering in the aftermath of a crisis could be dangerous. People become desperate and can act in ways that they normally wouldn’t. By learning what you can about bartering as a part of prepping, you can ensure your safety.

Bartering one-on-one

This basic one-on-one trading method can be implemented inside your close community and it will start with your neighbors. You should have a prior relationship with them and you could ask them what they need and what they can trade in exchange for the supplies they want. You should not seem desperate. They should always have the feeling of being in control, because a happy customer will always return. They should assume that only you have what they need.

Don’t try to do a massive exchange of items and start small. Tell them about just a few of the things you can trade and discuss about a short list of items you need. When you enumerate the things you need, never put what is of most importance for you on the top of the list. If you do that you will have to haggle for it. Once you agree on the items of trade, the next step is to swap the items and be on your way.

Group bartering

In many African countries this is called “trade blankets”. People will lay out their stuff in front of people hoping to get a customer, but side trades will also occur. Group trading will increase your chances of finding the things you need, but it has a major downside. People will see what you have and take notice. If you made a rookie mistake of bringing more than you should have, it could put you a risk.

Some people may kill you for them during a WROL situation. When you decide to try group bartering keep some things secret to keep yourself out of harm’s way. First time bring only the items that are not valuable for you, the ones you can live without.

Bartering shop

This is a bartering option suitable mostly for the hoarders or the rich preppers. It involves setting up a temporary shop on a busy space or highly populated area. For this option to work, you need to have one or more partners. You have multiple pairs of eyes that can watch out for thieves or guard the items while your party fends off any possible threats.

The best part about this method of trading is that you can control the market. You can increase and decrease the value of items based on supply and demand or by buying the competition.

Bartering rookie mistakes to avoid

Bring only what people need

The type of the crisis dictates the demand for certain items. For example if there is a general blackout, electric generators will worth their weight in gold, while freezers will not worth much. You should avoid to barter items that are obsolete, broken or items that are simply useless.

Don’t be fooled that the trade crowd

Just because you brought some of your stuff to barter, it doesn’t mean you have to trade them from the first try. Look for the stuff you need first. Get the stuff you want only if you can spare the items you brought.

There is also a method practiced by souvenir shops in many countries, the pity sale. Old people or kids trying to sell you stuff you don’t really need. You end up buying it just because you feel sorry for them and you think you can change something. The same tactics will be used for trading stuff in a world when money has no value, and you shouldn’t fall for it.

Try to keep your items before you give them up

Our forefathers used to trade their services in exchange for the goods they needed. You can do the same if you have the proper skills. Anything from dental, to carpentry or butchering could be traded as stand-alone item of great value. To tip the scale in your favor, you can even throw in some items together with the services you offer.

Bartering is a dangerous activity

Bartering requires a safety net and you should always have a backup plan. You should trade only the items you can live without and you should count on someone (friends or family) to guard your back if things get rough. If someone wants what you have and they can’t seal the deal, they won’t forget about it. The items you brought out can make you a target of theft and even murder. You can give up what you have or you can count on your backup to defend what’s yours.

Do you have any other advice for bartering when SHTF?

Article Source: Prepper's Will