Dennis Rutzou Public Relations - Media Releases - Local businesses can now trade using barter

MEDIA RELEASE 17 June 2005

Local businesses can now trade using barter
Local businessman Wayne Isbister first started trading at the age of nine, when he swapped two pages of stamps for 50 Terrapin turtles. Now he runs the first franchise for Business Barter Exchange (BBX) in Melbourne’s Eastern Suburbs.

The principle of barter, exchanging one article for another without the use of money, goes back to the dawn of history and today is much more sophisticated with a business becoming a member of a recognised trade exchange so that they can exchange goods or services with other members, with the trade exchange acting as the regulator and the generator of trade between members.

Mr Isbister, who also owns a gift and jewellery shop in the Dandenong’s said that when he joined BBX last year he could see that it had huge benefits for his business. That fuelled the idea to open the franchise and share the benefits with fellow business people.

“When we opened the gift and jewellery store, we stocked the whole shop using trade.

“BBX offers businesses a chance to conserve their cash and increase their customer base by joining the exchange,” he said.

Mr Isbister plans to expand the current network to include 80-100 local businesses by Christmas.

Tino Romeo, owner of All Sorts Garden Ornaments in Essendon has been a member of BBX for almost a year and is pleased with how it has helped his business grow.

“By being part of BBX I have been able to purchase goods through bartering, which has saved me cash money.

“I have also had additional customers through BBX. When a customer comes in and pays with BBX I can then use the trade dollars for promotion, tools and servicing my van,” Tino said.

BBX has 4,350 Australian and New Zealand member businesses, with offices and/or franchises situated throughout NSW, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia, as well as New Zealand. Member businesses are currently generating annual trading activity of $100 million. The company, and its franchises, currently employs approximately 60 staff and consultants.

BBX Melbourne East can be contacted on 03 9755 1988.
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Released for BBX by Dennis Rutzou Public Relations.
For further details please contact Marie Tritsaris
or Fiona Pennington on (02) 9413 4244.

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