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What is Bartercard?

Bartercard operates as a ‘trade exchange’ and has transformed traditional bartering into a modern business tool. Using online technology, Bartercard has created a flexible, secure and fully accountable way for businesses to trade their goods and services with businesses world-wide.

Bartercard facilitates and monitors the purchases (debits) and sales (credits) undertaken by members. These transactions are recorded electronically and its members receive a monthly statement that summarises their transactions. Members can transact using the following: an eftpos-enabled card, a phone application with transactional capabilities, and online transactional options. In addition, Bartercard promotes member businesses and maintains and updates a member business directory.

What businesses does Bartercard work for?

Bartercard can work for any company that has the capacity to take on additional business. There are many case studies and trading tips available for members to study to see how Bartercard can work for them.

What type of businesses are Bartercard members?

Bartercard New Zealand has approximately 10,000 cardholders who are trading over T$100 million a year.
There are over 650 categories of business, everything from Accommodation to Zoos.
Bartercard welcomes many industries and businesses.

How much does it cost to join Bartercard?

There is a one-off joining fee of $695+GST followed by a monthly fee of $59+GST.

Fees are also applied to purchases and sales: 6.5% cash fee and 1% trade dollar transaction fee.

A full breakdown of the charges and benefits is included on our Pricing page.

What can I sell through Bartercard?

You can sell almost anything through Bartercard. Besides your own products and services there is nothing stopping you from selling something from home or even buying from a manufacturer or wholesaler at cost and then on-sell through Bartercard. Your trading is only limited to the efforts you are willing to put in to be successful.

How can I use Bartercard?

There are many different ways to use Bartercard to build your business and improve your lifestyle. Upon joining you will have access to many video tutorials and case studies on unique and creative ways to solve common business challenges. A dedicated Business Development Manager will also be available for you to discuss the many options that best suit your business and lifestyle needs. You can get a sense of how some of our members use Bartercard by reading the Testimonials.

How does a transaction work?

A Bartercard transaction is similar to a credit/debit card transaction.

Members earn trade dollars for goods and services they sell and this value is recorded electronically in the member’s account. Members use their Bartercard transactional card to spend their advance on trade dollar sales (or draw on their advance on trade dollar sales) on goods and/or services from any other Bartercard member. The flexibility of the Bartercard system is you don’t have to purchase from the same business that purchases from you; you can spend locally, nationally and internationally; you can sell now and buy later; you can use your advance on trade dollar sales provided and buy first before even making a sale.

Where can I use my Bartercard?

If you are a Bartercard member, you can visit http://www.search.bartercard.co.nz or http://www.marketplace.bartercard.co.nz to find products/services available. If you have been given a Gift Card, visit http://www.search.bartercard.co.nz/tourist – this will list the members within your area or you can search further afield. You don’t need login details/password to access Search in tourist mode.

Can I use Bartercard for personal purchases?

Yes, your business pays for your personal expenses so if you can save cash on expenses then it just makes sense to use Bartercard.

You can pay trade dollars as a director’s dividends, drawings or loan. As a tip there is no Fringe Benefit Tax applicable if you deposit cash into your business and draw out the equivalent amount of trade dollars in exchange. There is further explanation of this on how to incorporate trade dollars into your payroll system in our creative business tips available for members. However, we always suggest members speak to their accountant regarding how best to implement these strategies into their business.

Can I limit the amount of trading I do?

Yes, you can limit the amount of trading you do. We suggest Bartercard members trade up to 10% to 15% of their total business turnover. We understand there are times when you may be operating at full capacity for a period or seasonally at your peak. Working with your Business Development Manager you’ll work out a plan for the amount of trading that best suits you and your business. You can start slowly and as you work with us to bring on more suppliers of your choice you can increase the amount of trade you do.

What if none of my suppliers are in Bartercard?

When you join, a comprehensive business analysis is conducted with the view to identify potential suppliers already available in our network. If there are insufficient suppliers available to suit your business requirements then Bartercard will work with you to bring on additional new suppliers to satisfy your needs. Many of Bartercard’s top trading members have successfully improved their business profitability by being proactive in their recommendation and referral of new suppliers to provide them with the products and services they need to run a successful business.

How do I convert my trade dollars into cash?

By purchasing products or services with your trade dollars, you have already saved cash and kept that cash in your business. You can also buy items with your trade dollars and then on-sell them for cash, therefore converting trade dollars to cash. For example, a restaurant purchases wine on Bartercard and then sells within the restaurant for cash.

Trade dollars are not transferable for cash by Bartercard or any other Financial Institution.

Can I charge part cash and part trade?

Bartercard is a 100% trading system exchange. Upon joining every member agrees to trade at 100% full barter. There are practical exceptions to this rule. Bartercard rules allow for real estate transactions to be conducted with a minimum of 20% barter component; transactions in excess of $100,000 can be negotiated; and continuous cash/trade supply agreements can be negotiated only with prior written approval of Bartercard authorised representative.

Do you have business networking functions?

Yes, Bartercard hosts local and regional networking functions in New Zealand. Each member is encouraged to participate in these functions in order to acquaint themselves with other members and promote their own business. It is a great way to build up your contact base.

What is a trade dollar?

A trade dollar is the electronic trading currency Bartercard members use to transact with. For accounting, GST and Income Tax purposes, one trade dollar (T$1) is equivalent to one New Zealand dollar (NZ$1).

Is a tax invoice required for barter transactions?

Yes, a tax invoice is required for a barter transaction as it is for any other business transaction. Where a member makes a taxable supply and the consideration is expressed in trade dollar credits, the tax invoice must comply with all of the usual requirements for a tax invoice.

Is Bartercard a discount system?

No, Bartercard is not considered a discount system as no member in the ecosystem uses Bartercard to discount their product.  It’s not a rewards or loyalty program either and shouldn’t be likened to any reward or fuel discount card.

You can read more on what is the true cost of discounting in our blog.

Is Bartercard part of a pyramid scheme?

No, Bartercard is not a pyramid-based model or a Ponzi scheme. As any business does, we seek to bring on new members to expand the ecosystem and provide new trading opportunities to our members, as well as replace businesses operated by members that may have sold, closed, or are otherwise unable to continue operating. There is no hierarchical setup where existing members gain rewards from new members further down a ‘hierarchy’ using the ecosystem. Our philosophy, business model, and pricing structure are based on members making transactions, rather than merely becoming a part of the Bartercard community.

Are goods more expensive on Bartercard?

Just like you would normally, we recommend that you get quotes from a variety of businesses before you decide to make a purchase.  To manage any form of overpricing, Fair Trading plays an important role in the ethos of Bartercard.  We advocate that prices must be consistent with that of a cash purchase; just because a transaction is being done in trade dollars, it shouldn’t be more expensive than a cash transaction.

Why do I have to pay cash fees?

Cash fees are payable to service our administration costs.  Not all aspects of running a business can be paid for using trade and we wouldn’t encourage anyone to solely run their business using trade dollars.

Do my trade dollars expire?

No, your trade dollars do not expire if you are a Bartercard member, however, the physical Bartercard card you receive expires as per the date shown on the card. A new card is then posted automatically.

Gift Cards expire on the date shown on the front of the card.  If there is a balance remaining after the card has expired, a new card can be issued for a T$5 fee which is deducted from the balance of funds.  If a Gift Card is lost or stolen, Bartercard must be notified immediately to have the card canceled.  A new card can be issued for a T$5 fee which will be deducted from the balance of funds.

Are businesses rated on the experience of other members?

Yes, businesses can be rated through both your experience and other member experiences. This can be done via Bartercard Search and is based on a star rating.

Where can I use my Bartercard online?

If you are a member and have a Bartercard (and not just a Gift Card), you can access the online Marketplace – https://marketplace.bartercard.co.nz/.  This is where you’ll be able to view all the products/services available to Bartercard members.  If you are unsure of your login details, please contact our Online team via email at online@bartercard.co.nz or by calling 0508 226 654.

Where can I spend my Gift Card?

To find out where you can use your Bartercard Gift Card, simply go to https://search.bartercard.co.nz/tourist.  This will bring up all the members around you or you can expand your search area and location.

To find out the balance of the card, you can call 0800 650 055.

For more information on Gift Cards, click here.

How can I find out the balance left on my card?

If you have a Bartercard Gift Card, you can call the number on the back of the card which is 0800 650 055 to check the balance.

Alternatively, if you are a Bartercard member, you can check your statement (which will detail the account’s balance) by logging into Marketplace/MYBC or using the Bartercard App.

How do I join?

Simply call 0508 BARTER (0508 227 837)

We welcome a consultation with you first to determine your needs and identify the level of membership that best suits your business.

Ask a questionClick here for a free consultation