The Reemergence of Barter

One of the primary functions of money is to facilitate trade. Yet, in the modern economy, some businesses are returning to barter - trade without money. The Internet facilitates the exchange of information and has made barter feasible in some instances.

A few companies have emerged to facilitate barter in the modern economy:

ITEX is "A nationwide community of small businesses trading for what their businesses need and their families want...without spending cash."

International Monetary Systems (IMS) is "the largest full-service, membership-based trading network in the United States. We started from our home office in New Berlin, Wisconsin in 1985. Since then, we have steadily and carefully cultivated the most respected trade dollar in circulation today and have grown the most comprehensive trading network of business people in the history of barter trade."