Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Trading with BBU

With one-on-one trading, each business must need exactly what the other has to offer. With a membership with BBU, members can trade with any other member. Trade dollars are credited to your account and can be spent on any goods or services you might need, supplied by any member within the BBU network or its affiliates.

Your business will be assigned an account manager who will help with trade purchases, provide you with new trading opportunities, and even set you up with a line of credit. A complete membership directory is available on the members-only section of the BBU web site and members receive regular emails announcing new opportunities and new product offerings.

Like fiat currency, BBU dollars never expire. You can accrue funds in your BBU account and buy with confidence days, months, or years later.

Prices quoted to barter members should be calculated the same as prices quoted to cash-paying customers. Just think of barter as another mode of payment, like a credit card or cash.

Like a bank, member businesses can apply for a line of credit by contacting their account manager. If your business qualifies, you can begin making purchases immediately.

BBU participates in reciprocal relationships with other exchanges and fulfills travel requests via our vast global network. We can also help businesses that wish to open into new markets by using our nationwide distribution channels. In turn, we make available for purchase products made from across the U.S. by BBU members or members of its affiliate organizations.

No, you do not need to get a written estimate to purchase services from another BBU member. However, we still recommend that you use the same diligence as you would with any cash transaction. If you would normally get some sort of written agreement in advance for services rendered, then make sure you do when bartering for services as well.

Although your account manager will always be on the lookout to facilitate a barter between you and another service provider, members are encouraged to also reach out to other BBU members on their own, to initiate a trade. Members can find all the info they need on the services available—and process a barter transaction—via the BBU app and on the members-only portion of the BBU website.

If you visit a retail store or restaurant that accepts BBU dollars as payment, first present your BBU membership card to the retailer or server, before placing your order or making the purchase. The store owner will then process the purchase as if it was an ordinary transaction, except that they will process it through BBU gateway available on the BBU website and the BBU app. If authorization is not given (i.e., there is not enough funds in your account to cover the transaction), payment will be due payable in cash or credit card. NOTE: All sales tax and gratuities are due payable in CASH ONLY.

BBU members can purchase a pre-paid gift card so they can give BBU barter dollars to others without providing access to their BBU account. BBU barter dollars may not be advertised for sale without BBU’s express written consent, nor is a member’s account assignable or transferable to another person or business entity without BBU’s prior written consent.

There is no advantage or disadvantage. Generally speaking, as with cash, any business-related purchases made via barter are tax deductible while purchases made for personal use are not. At the beginning of each new calendar year, BBU computes the proceeds from barter sales made during the previous year. You’ll then receive a copy of Form 1099-B so you can include bartering income (sales) and business deductions (purchases) in your company’s tax return.

Members are required to sell their goods and services at their prevailing retail prices, although we do understaff that there will be times when it will be impossible to barter for 100% of the entire transaction, such as when there’s a materials cost or other outside fees. In the event that you believe the quoted price is too expensive, let your account manager know so they can recommend another option.

BBU functions in a brokerage capacity and as a third-party record-keeper so trade disputes shall be settled between the buying member and the selling member. BBU is to be held harmless on any liability questions that may arise between members. Even so, any complaints against another BBU member or a member of one of our affiliate barter organizations should be brought to the attention of your account manager.

Direct trades between members to avoid cash transaction fees are prohibited. If consummated, you will be subject to standard transaction fees, payable upon demand. Such trades may result in THE TERMINATION OF TRADING PRIVILEGES FOR BOTH MEMBERS INVOLVED. BBU reserves the right to publicly announce such terminations to existing members.