The Whatyagot swap thread is a form of barter. I am hoping to actually barter for some sheep locally with a horse but I am not quite sure how many sheep a horse would be worth so I haven't even put an add up suggesting such a thing yet.
We are looking to barter with raising pigs for a neighbor and getting beef back. Hoping this works out. They don't have room for the pigs and I'm no longer set up for the cow (used the field for an orchard).
Most definately...we use the barter system here. I recently aquired several cages, and pens....I swapped the guy and gave him 3 hens and a roo.
We barter whenever we can. Money is too tight to spend freely here.
I'm trading rabbit and chicken poo and eggs(once my hens start laying) in exchange for my neighbor not complaining about me having contraband (chicks and buns) and her son is going to mow my yard.
I barter all the time. My favorite so far is bartering meat and eggs for having my taxes done this year! I know a metal sculptor who made her dentist some really cool signs for his dental business in exchange for gold fillings and dental work!
Re value of used items...I always heard that the rule of thumb for pricing a used item is half of the original, regardless of condition, or less. I sort of use this when shopping. Most retail items are marked up to double what they cost to begin with (for bartering with a shop owner...) My ex used to own a hardware store, I assume that is still the way things are priced.
Before life as I knew it came to an end (divorce) on the farm I had a few years ago, I was poised to sell shares of hogs, steers, etc...the person would be part owner of the animal(s) and contribute feed or feed money and get a share of the meat which we would kill and have butchered. It never actually happened.
CURRENTLY I have a friend at work who has "bought" some chickens vicariously from me at her request and idea. She insists on giving me money for "her" chickens, I have been bringing extra eggs and she got some, I didn't want her to pay for them (for one thing we are not supposed to sell things at work) this year as I'm just getting started and am not doing well at marketing them AND working a "real" job (which anoyingly happens to tie me up on the best days to sell at the farmer's market AND the livestock auction). Anyway, she is older, has elderly friends who enjoy this whole thing...I also provide photos. I have invited my friend to bring her friends out for a visit. So this is fun as well as helping me alot with feed bill!
I've wondered about renting chickens like for the summer, for a scouting project whatever...build a good moveable pen, teach the people how to do it, go get it when they get tired of it or the neighbors complain!
I love bartering. The issue I have found is trying to find a licensed and insured contractor is impossible! Had someone fall off my roof once, NOT going though that mess again.