Barter for Those Collectibles....It's a Good Strategy

If you’re into collectibles such as baseball cards as well as other sports memorabilia, comic books, books, ceramics, antiques or even wine, the best way to acquire them is on a barter basis because of your marginal cost to do so.Many barter companies have members that offer an array of such items, and it’s wise to stay in touch with your personal trade broker, to see when a new member (with such offers) joins the trade (barter) exchange. And you will want to attend the “Holiday Fairs” too, as such members (vendors) will have a

good display of their goods and they’re in the mood to barter! Kevn Hassett, director of economic policy at the conservative American

Enterprise Institute determined that collector-worthy comic books have generated a compounded average annual return of 23%. And we’ve all see or heard about the one and only baseball card of Hall-of-Fame member Honus Wagner has sold for $2.3 million.

In Today's Word Pricesmay Vary, but the best Deal is Still one “Don on Barter!”

It’s interesting to see how industries that are governed by the clock package and sell their services. When one has to “use it or lose it” the importance of time takes on a new meaning.

And hoteliers today are some of the more creative thinkers in pricing and marketing their products. They see the wisdom of selling in a variety of ways, as well as the bartering of their space.

Here’s a quick look at the different ways they move their inventory:

- More hotels are using the same “yield management” marketing strategy the airlines use. They’re offering simple super-saver rates for those making reservations at least 29 days in advance.

- “Corporate” rates typically are discounted 10% to 50% when you show a company ID, or even a business card.

- Discounts are given to members of clubs, organizations and other national affiliations (frequent flyer plans, auto or oil-company travel clubs, AARP senior citizens).

- Special “week-end guest” rates. These are due to higher week-endvacancies in the big city hotels that cater to business travelers Monday through Thursday.

- Tour operators that offer “free accommodations” when you hustle up four or more paying travelers for their tours.

Laventhol & Horwath, the accounting firm for the hotel industry, reports that it’s rather easy to get a better hotel rate than the standard posted price or “rack” rate. All you need to do is ask.

(Discounts of 20% or more were available for the asking at a third of 270 luxury hotels surveyed by the accounting firm.)

For members of Bartercard, often the easiest and best “bottom line rate” for hotel rooms are those acquired with your trade Baht’s.

That’s because you earned them at your variable cost of doing business—which probably is lower than any of the rates we’ve just covered.