An association of businesses formed for the purpose of trading with one another, using mutual credit to keep account. Typically the lead business will run the exchange, performing a

broker A broker is a person or entity that arranges transactions between a buyer and a seller. This may be done for a commission when the deal is executed. A broker who also acts as a seller or as a buyer becomes a principal party to the deal. Neither ...

ing services and providing (or renting) an

online marketplace An online marketplace (or online e-commerce marketplace) is a type of e-commerce website where product or service information is provided by multiple third parties. Online marketplaces are the primary type of multichannel ecommerce and can be a wa ...

for members to meet their reciprocal needs and register their transactions. Also known as business barter Thousands of trade exchanges exist, some independent and some belonging to regional or global networks. The two most prominent associations for Trade Exchanges are IRTA ( International Reciprocal Trade Association) and NATE (National Association of Independent Trade Exchanges). There are numerous benefits to business bartering, some of which include, large referral network of businesses/services, easing cash flows problems/saving cash, filling empty time slots (professionals, stylists, etc.), filling empty hotel rooms, unloading excess inventory, using trade to attract cash customers (advertising), gaining access to a directory of other member businesses, from which they can purchase and sell dollar for dollar. Reputable trade exchanges have physical locations with sales people & brokers and are not just "online" exchanges. Trading in this way can ease cashflow problems and help turn inventories around.

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