In think of what to post next, I did a mental shake down of
everything I have in my condo; it really is a LOT of stuff. The good thing is
that it is all useable by someone, and when TSHTF, my excess stuff could make
my life easier, if the price is right, thanks to the power of bartering.
In the event that social civilization did go to hell in a
hand-basket, bartering will become a way of life again. Having items laying
around which will be in demand is the trick. But having all this stuff is only
the first half of the game. Many people have forgotten the art of negotiation.
I cannot count the number of times that I have seen people accept a given price
at a yard sale or flea market when I know that the merchant would lower the
price if asked. I have been that merchant and profited from that mistake!
So how do you get the goods without going broke?
If you want an item, you offer the seller a nice low price
and see if they bite at it, then you raise it up until you both reach an
agreement. It sounds really easy, right? It is, but Americans have been stuck
for decades in the sticker trap. We have been so conditioned by the big box
stores to sheepishly accept the price on the sticker that we rarely ask for a
better deal. The art of negotiation is a skill that preppers must master.
Start small when learning any new skill – yard sales are
great! I hate to admit that I cheat: I never fold my bills together when I go
yard sailing, and each pocket has a different denomination of bill. When
someone thinks that you only have $3 in your pocket, they will usually meet
your $3 offer on a $5 item.
Once you have this simple form of bargaining mastered, then
you can try your skills at the big box stores. And yes, it does work. I
recently got an item for $30 off the in-store price because they sent an email
to me with the sale price and nowhere on the email did it say “online only.” I
pressed my point and walked away with the deal simply because I asked for it.
With bartering, you should be trading things you don’t
really need for things that you can use (or trade again later). I have put
together a list of things for consideration since most of this is really cheap
and easy to find now. This is not exhaustive, but it will hopefully get you thinking.
Keep space in mind as you stock, and buy things you may actually need “at some
point” since your shelf space is limited.
Canned food – cheap stuff you stocked
but would rather not eat: noodles, potted meat, the great deal you found on
tomato soup, etc.
Bullets – all
sizes. 22’s are cheap and most people have a .22 for popping squirrels.
Hygiene items –
especially soap, toothpaste, and feminine items
Diapers and baby wipes – wipes are
worth their weight in gold in a situation without water to bathe in!
Baby formula and
bottles
Trauma supplies
OTC medications
Vitamins
Salt and Sugar
Livestock -
breeding pairs of animals should be maintained at all costs
Sustainable food:
eggs, milk, butter, bread, honey
Bread starters
like sourdough
Socks, underwear
Hand tools – handsaws
and drills will be in demand
Screws and nails in a variety of sizes.
Think about the poor sheepole who try to make a chicken coop without this
stuff!
Plastic sheeting
Duct tape
Rechargeable batteries – any batteries
really, but get a solar recharger for yourself and then you can offer
recharging capacity for a fee.
Used cast iron pots and pans – the
plastic handled, thin wall pans we now use will not withstand the abuse of
daily open fires. Old cast iron is easy to find and not too difficult to
restore and season. And having the knowledge to do so will also be a skill you
can market in the future.
Toilet paper – I’d have to be desperate
to trade my TP, but I’ve got a bunch just in case.
Pencils and paper
Files and wet stones –
dull knives are useless
Jar rings and lids for canning – the
lids are single use only so the more the merrier.
Charcoal and small
propane bottles – for those sheep that cannot make fire
Lighters / matches – I am the only
non-smoker I know who carries a lighter. Easy fire is WAY better than having to
use a mag. fire starter.
Magnesium fire starters – I have
several, and I have used them on occasion just to see if I can. Yes, they work,
but it is more complicated than I want to fool with if I’m cold or hungry.
Books - fiction and non-fiction
When should you barter?
The best answer is: when you need something in return. 90 days after TSHIF events, once society has had a chance to toughen up, and everyone
is on the same level of mercenary mind-set, is a good time to consider starting
on a small level. Barter with people you know and expect to have to defend you
self and your stuff if you start bartering bowls on a blanket. Although
unfortunate, this is the way society will most likely head.
Please feel free to add to my list, I’m sure I’ve forgotten
or simply not thought about a lot. Thanks for reading, and Happy Prepping!
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