| Online bartering has been going on for at least ten | | | | international monetary exchange. Membership |
| years. High profile websites that feature the | | | | costs $595.00 and the fee structure is 7.5% buy |
| service have been online for at least five years; a | | | | or sell commission. In addition there is a $12.00 |
| little surfing reveals that they are going through a | | | | monthly fee. The site claims 15,000 members and |
| process of consolidation and realignment. | | | | advertises that base as an extension of your |
| There are a couple of models for online barter. A | | | | business advertising and account sources, should |
| few sites charge substantial fees for member | | | | you join. |
| merchants to join and advertise. Their | | | | [ was established by a web hosting company |
| membership figures number in the tens of | | | | ostensibly to assist its clients in expanding their |
| thousands. There are also sites that provide free | | | | business transactions. The host company, claims |
| access to people and merchants who wish to | | | | to advertise the bartering service - and member |
| barter. Each site has a method of establishing | | | | clients - through the purchase of keywords on |
| value for the members' goods or services, and | | | | Google and Yahoo. For clients who do not use the |
| each member has an account with the service | | | | web hosting service there is a $199.00 |
| based on what has been sold or bought. The host | | | | membership fee, a $14.95 monthly maintenance |
| site takes a piece of each transaction, generally | | | | fee and a 5% buy or sell commission. |
| five to eight percent. is now known as | | | | |