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BARRETT EXCHANGE
NATIONAL MARKETING SYSTEMS©
"the value market place"

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This article appeared in March of 2003 in Trade World News

THE KING OF BARTER AUCTIONS
- An interview with S. H. "Spud" Barrett -

CONTACT
INFORMATION

Question: Tell us about your company, S. H. Barrett, Inc.

Answer: Our company is based in central Florida. We have been in this business since 1978. We conduct marketing sessions in the United States and Canada for trade clubs and trade exchanges as well as individual traders using our copyrighted procedures in the “BARRETT EXCHANGE MARKETING SYSTEMS”© We didn’t conceive of this idea, However, we have embellished and refined the procedures and created a new program. We now have two separate copyrighted programs in the “BARRETT EXCHANGE MARKETING SYSTEMS”© which are presented and conducted in a professional manner. They are the “National Marketing Session”© for individual traders and exchanges and “Exchange Auction Board”©, for trade clubs and exchange members only.

Question: Your marketing is very unique and known throughout the barter community. How did you come up with the idea?

Answer: The bid board procedure has been used for a number of years by various people and is commonly called a Zander Board. This is where an item is placed at the top of a board and people bid various items against the item at the top of the board. Most ramble around and there were no set of rules or procedures that were followed. The rules and procedures were made up as to the moderators likes and dislikes as the bidding on the board progressed. Most of the time this was organized confusion.

Question: How does the auction work?

Answer: As stated previously we have two different marketing sessions that we conduct:

1) “THE NATIONAL MARKETING SESSION”© This is open to everyone where an attendance cash fee of $100.00 is charged for the three day session. There are no additional fees changed on any trades or exchanges. Trade is always available for sleeping rooms at our meeting facilities. At the “NATIONAL MARKETING SESSIONS”©, we trade and exchange on the premise that value of goods and services vary between individuals and circumstances. No monetary value may be given on any bid. Offers and bids are made and accepted based on what a participant perceives the value to be. We operate under the system whereby value is subjective, not objective. We stress to; THINK VALUE! Our Marketing Sessions are professionally conducted by moderators with over twenty five years' experience using the "Flat, Visual, Exchange Auction Board”© system. This is where goods and services are used to bid on the item at the top of the bid board in lieu of cash. We advertise to the industry with this; “If you are a Trade Broker or Trade Director, come and trade your client’s excess merchandise or spend their excess trade credits for something they want. If you are a business owner, professional or amateur trader, real estate exchanger or broker, liquidator, auto dealer, or are engaged in a specific profession or business service, etc, “Come trade what you have for what you want!” Some advantages of attending this marketing session: a) A marketplace environment; b) Make new and enhance previous business networking contacts; c) Participate in an educational experience enjoy the entertainment and join the fun!

2) “EXCHANGE AUCTION BOARD”© This is the marketing session we conduct exclusive for individual exchange clubs and their members. This session is restricted to the members of the sponsoring exchange club and their guest. We tell trade clubs and exchanges they can have fun using the “EXCHANGE AUCTION BOARD”© to create a positive cash flow and a good profit to the bottom line for the host trade exchange. The “EXCHANGE AUCTION BOARD”© is a Visual, Flat, Exchange Auction Board© where you can do the following:
1. See what has been bid on what
2. Increase your bid
3. Multiple bids on the same item
4. Bid on more than one item
The bidding currencies are trade dollars and merchandise owned by the members or the host exchange.

This program addresses and provides the answers for the three main needs most trade clubs and exchanges encounter. They are:
1. Cash flow
2. Clients with credits they can’t or will not spend
3. Clients with goods and services they can’t or will not sell

We arrive the day before a meeting to work with the staff so they have a working knowledge of this program. We open each marketing session with a mini seminar on the “EXCHANGE AUCTION BOARD”© for the exchange members. We begin when the attendees understand the program and are ready to trade!

Question: Some people have complained that often prices in barter are inflated? Do you think this occurs in your auction?

Answer: At the “NATIONAL MARKETING SESSION”© we don’t use a numerical value except for trade club credits or cash. Inflation is one of the greatest problems in the barter industry now. By using value, in lieu of a stated number, we have solved this problem. We stress value is subjective, not objective. When value is objective, inflation runs wild!

Numerical numbers are used at the “EXCHANGE AUCTION BOARD”© and the values are policed by the host club. This is easier because most members deal with each other on a daily or weekly basics and trade directors for the host club are there to assist their members.

Question: Do most people follow through on the commitments they have made in the auction? It would seem that your auction would demand a certain amount of trust in the participants
.
Answer: The opening remarks by the moderator prior to each marketing session contain this statement: “Don’t give what you have until you get what you are supposed to receive. If you aren’t sure what you are getting, don’t take it! The worst you can do is go home with what you arrived with.” There are a lot of good people who attend our session and there are a few who attend who will take advantage of anyone when the opportunity presents itself. We never become part of anyone’s exchanges. All attendees sign a Disclaimer that contains this:
“ S. H. Barrett, Inc., other moderators and employees working a session, hereby openly state that they are not responsible for any actions or values or bids by any individual attending the “NATIONAL MARKETING SESSION”©. In addition, S. H. Barrett and other moderators and employees working a session, do not endorse and exchanger or any exchange made at the “NATIONAL MARKETING SESSION”©. All “Offerors” and “Bidders” are hereby warned that the principal of “Buyer Beware” does apply within this session. You, the “Offeror” or “Bidder”, make all decisions based solely upon your judgment, from what you have heard and seen about the item you are bidding on or the person who has offered in for trade or exchange.

Without exception, each participant is totally and solely responsible for fulfilling their and/or exchange obligations incurred during the “NATIONAL MARKETING SESSION”©. Further more each participant is totally and solely responsible for all tax liabilities that may accrue as a result of their trading and/or exchanging activities.

This is a private assembly. We reserve the right to restrict admission. Additionally we reserve the right to remove anyone not adhering to the “NATIONAL MARKETING SESSIONS”© “Rules and Guidelines.”

Question: How is it policed?

Answer: We have a list of 22 Rules and Guidelines that are adhered to by everyone. These are published and everyone attending for the first time is given a copy of these. We make no exceptions and treat everyone fairly and the same.

Question: Do you think these auctions are generally win/win scenarios?

Answer: Most of the time, yes. However, there are exceptions. When one allows greed to direct their transactions, this can become a problem and they experience difficulties in their transactions.

Question: What are some of the best deals you have seen go down in your marketing sessions?

Answer: Several years ago a large parcel of gem stones was traded for an apartment house in San Francisco. This property had a very good positive cash flow. I never cease to be amazed at what some people will trade for.

MOTTO - ONE MUST HAVE LIVED IN THE VALLEY TO APPRECIATE THE VIEW FROM THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN!

Copyright (c), 1995. Spurgeon H. Barrett, Jr. Revised, 1997, 1998, 2001 and 2002. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of the copyright owner.

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