Barter, Swop, Hire, FOC…

Members interested in the idea of learning or receiving through an exchange scheme may be wondering how the idea can be implemented without fuss. Here I suggest two main ways:

1. Direct approach – state/explain your interest(s) e.g. to learn the cha2. Then state/ explain the skill(s) or service(s) you are offering  for the exchange/swop.

2. KIV approach – (a)state/describe your interest(s) e.g. learn to bake pineapple tarts and indicate your willingness to barter or to make payment. Then wait for interested parties to approach you.

(b)state/describe your skill area(s) or the service(s) you are able to provide, e.g. teaching craftwork, language, etc and indicate your interest to barter or to be ‘hired’.  Then wait for interested parties to make their offers.

If there is a ‘match’ of mutual interest, the two parties carry out their negotiation, etc. in private and they will be solely responsible for any agreements reached or decisions made.

Of course you can offer your service(s) for FREE. That’ll be the icing on the cake. I’m sure the recipient will be very grateful.

Feel free to offer your suggestions, feedback, etc, as these will help to shape the exchange scheme. Because it’s a win-win situation, I hope ‘barter trading’ will become a feature of the SHC.

Author: Jassmine Teo

I came to know about the SHC from eNN (Seng Kang). My interests are varied. I write on the forum regularly to improve my writing. In my autumn years, my priority is voluntary service. Hope to meet like-minded people and help initiate a programme/project for the disabled like the hearing impaired.

36 thoughts on “Barter, Swop, Hire, FOC…”

  1. Hi Jassmine,

    Starting a barter exchange among SHCians is a great idea, and I would support the idea as they are developed. One concern is not to turn the forum into an advertising site with details of products for exchange, as this is not the objective of SHC. The web admin manager and club manager may delete any Post/comments deemed to be advertising in nature or containing too much text.

    On the other hand, the barter exchange might turn out to be something unusual and beneficial to SHCians.

    I think we can use a 160 character limit, equivalent to 1 sms message. I would prefer to have any Barter Exchange text pre-approved, before they are published on the SHC website. It would be a good idea to have someone in charge of this Barter Exchange corner. What do you think?

    Terence Seah

  2. Hi all,

    This is not a demo of the direct approach (re. post). It’s a genuine quest.

    I’m looking for someone to help me read the lyrics of some Chinese songs. The Chinese characters are written mostly in the traditional way. The Chinese tutorial is a session of one hour duration.

    Swopping with EITHER (i) a one-hour lesson on English grammar (grammatical rules) with exercises for practice.I can provide the material if you don’t have your own.

    OR (ii)your preference. Please indicate your area(s) of interest and I’ll see if I have the necessary skills to oblige.

    My e-mail: kdaae2005@hotmail.com

  3. Jass-T, I can read the Chinese lyrics for you – bring them to me – but I aint keen with either of yr swop offers but if it becomes a sweep offer, yes, I will take it. It’s not a man’s chore to sweep the floor, you know…………women are born naturals in this area, yeah?

  4. Hi Terence,
    Why not let the exchange channel run for a while and we’ll see if there’s abuse. Your fear might be unfounded.

    The 160-word limit is good – it’ll help writers to keep to their main points.

    Btw, are you still learning Chinese? TimL is proficient in Chinese. If you are good at housekeeping, you can teach him that in exchange for Chinese lessons. Good idea?

  5. Hey Tim,
    Why is your floor so difficult to sweep? Got trapdoors, is it? Think I’d better decline.

    Seriously, thank you for your generous offer. If there’s an opportunity to meet, I’ll remember to bring the Chinese lyrics.

    Cheers,

  7. Jass-T, not a qustion of difficulty but if there’s someone to sweep my floor then let that someone do it.

    Jokes aside, if you need me to hlp translate it, do send a copy to me, either in here or to my email tnotswit@hotmail.com and pls alert me after so sending as my hotmail address occasionally doesnt receive emails.

    We once had AK with us and he actually started a Chinese tuition class for SHCians. He too is ok with the Chinese language which he learned from a 35 yuan book and some cassettes. That book contains a lot of cartoons with a toothless bugs bunny on the cover page.

  8. Hi Steve,

    Have a wonderful trip. Don’t forget the ‘fong yeow’ and wet tissues. I’m sure you know what they are for. Wonder why you chose to visit in summer – very hot lah. Is it because of the grapes?

    Btw, the Jewish ‘tai ee long’ (a.k.a. Shylock) wanted a pound of flesh – not a quarter pound. Can you remember who defeated him? Not a man, but a WOMAN – the brilliant Portia.

    Ok, Bon Voyage!

  9. Hi Jassmine

    I like what you suggested. I would like to run some activities from home (in S’pore)and wonder what interests members, if they like to join in.

    Also as suggested, can these interests be a swap,hire, barter or even FOC? Would like to hear views. If there’s reimbursement, how is this done? I believe that there’s a great pool of talent among members. How can this be tapped?

    BTW I just got back from a driving holiday to Adelaide and Victoria. We stayed at self-contained units- holiday parks, homes. A couple was excellent. If anyone is interested in these parts, I can recommend them to you.

    Regards
    Joan

  10. Hi Tim,

    About e-mailimg a copy … there’s a little problem. In every piece of song, I need help to read two – five words only – not the whole text.

    Now that you mentioned AK – I have a suggestion. How about you be our laoshi? Please say ‘yes’, then we’ll look for a suitable venue. Hao ma?

  11. Bu bao….neither laoshi nor laoshu for me but will read to you like I do for a lullaby when we get to meet somewhere sometime……………sorry, me in laosi mood these 2 days.

  13. Hi Joan,
    Nice to hear from you. Your place is not out of the way anymore now that Bartley MRT is up and running.

    Yah,it’ll be good if members can list their skills, or their interests, and anyone interested in an exchange, etc, can respond. Wonder if anyone can teach Tamil. I’ll like to learn this language. Anyone want to teach Tamil in exchange for English grammmar lesson(s)?

    Joan, what activities are you thinking of running from your place?

    Regards,

  14. Hi!

    Anyone has an MP3 player – reasonably good brand used but still in good condition or unused (good if have receiver too) and who has no use for it, I would like to have it in exchange for my carrot cake.

    I have lost 2 Apple i-pods already and not ready to buy a new one. So absent-minded so no more expensive types for me. Need to listen to music while on treadmill and cycling in the gym.

    Thanks very much.

    Cheers
    Caroline Gee

  15. Hi Jassmine,

    Yes, please go ahead and bring the idea “Barter Exchange” to fruit. Let’s see how it goes. Do continue to moderate this idea.

    And, a big correction to comment #4. I was thinking of 160 SMS characters, not words. But, go ahead for now and give it a go. So far, you are doing well.

    Terence Seah

  16. Hi Terence,

    Aiyoh, don’t frighten me – I’m not going to nurture this baby – going to let it develop naturally, nourished (or undernourished) by members’ input.

    Another aiyoh – the new banner picture (two monkeys) – so paiseh to look at it. Can change it asap?

  17. Hello Conrad #12

    Thanks for the web link. I checked it out and I think it is meant for people who cannot read the pinyin spelling of Chinese words or who read simplified Chinese.

    Most of the Chinese words I want to read are written in the traditional way, without pinyin. I can read them if there’s pinyin.

    Anyway, thanks for the suggestion. I see that you’re a newbie – welcome to the club.

  18. Hi Jassmine

    Not sure what interests people – thinking of young and old. Perhaps inputs to your post may give a good idea.
    My interests: craft, talks eg health, how to play better golf, catch fish at travel places, business ideas,website design,etc.

    Thinking about this but not sure how I can offer my place for some of these activities – as mentioned: a fee, bring a plate to share, an entrance charge for use and finally FOC (which I don’t agree). Any views?

    Regards
    Joan

  19. Hi Joan,

    As your place is new to most of us, perhaps you could consider having an ‘open house’ to introduce it to us. Just thinking aloud.

    Cheers,

  20. Any “house painter” within SHC?

    I was looking up the classifieds in search of a professional “house painter”. Some advertisers quoted $500-$800 depending on the size of the area to be painted.

    I thought I’d try out Jassmine’s “barter, swop, hire, FOC” idea. My new place is about 1044 sq ft. In exchange for your “painting service”, I have used furniture in good condition.

    They are:
    Queen size bed with mattress. Beige Leather sofa set (3+2), glass top dining table with 6 chairs, Ikea full-length mirror wardrobes. Framed wall print/painting. Super single bed-divan with mattress. Fridge. Wall fans. Window unit air-conditioners, writing desks…

    You (the house-painter”), can pick what you want from the above list. And you decide what you think is “fair exchange” for your service. Open to negotiation.

    Here is the good thing: If you can paint my house, but do not want any of my used furniture, you may charge a fee.

    Alternatively – if a kind soul out there know of a reliable “house painter”, please let me have his name and contact number.

    For further detail, please email jacqhan@gmail.com

    One more thing – if a kind soul out there know of a reliable “parquet floor contractor”, please also let me have his name and contact. 2 bedrooms’ parquet floor need to be “sand and varnish”. I know, it’s a small job… but I prefer your recommendations rather than “try my luck” with workmen who claim to be cheap but may not do a satisfactory job.

    I look forward to hear from you. Have a great day!

  21. Wow! Jacq,

    What interesting propositions! Hope you get a positive response from the SHC fraternity. Painting an apartment is no small task. I can only paint a small stool!

    Cheers,

  22. Hi Jassmine #19

    Possibly, but I will need help in organising things. How about you as you came up with the idea of open house and also you live closeby. I read the post of the Sep gathering at Gillman Hts but will not be in S’pore yet to attend it. Perhaps let’s see how that takes off.

    I’m looking into activities and posting activities that I’m interested in learning at my place. Perhaps members too are keen to learn. This is an area that I had thought SHCians were interested in being involved as trainers or learners.

    Look out for these actvites. One is on beadwork on blouses etc. Another is on batik painting.

    Cheers

  23. Hi Jassmine and fellow SHCians,

    I have been following up on topics like flea marts, selling, exchange of services, etc; and thinking how such activities can kick off. Even tuition services, training, apartments for rent dont seem to kick off too well.

    Is it because there is this concern that the service or product is marketed as being free? In Singapore, I guess few services or products can be given free. There is transport to pay for, materials to buy, besides having to give some precious time.

    Maybe SHC is not geared to support such activities. I sense sometimes that trying to sell some services or products to a fellow SHCians is kind of unacceptable. Many of our activities centre around the word “free” or “at cost”. Perhaps, this is not practical.

    Any thoughts from fellow members?

    Terence Seah

  25. Hi Terence,
    No need to feel concerned if ‘business’ is slow…no overheads to pay. lol!

    Seriously, an exchange channel has been created and members can utilise it when the needs arise. Negotiations are carried out through e-mail, hence beneath the surface calm, there could be currents swirling.

    Para 2&3(re.# 23)- am unsure of your points. Can rephrase?

    Hmm…perhaps an fyi channel could be created for members to notify others in the SHC community that they have certain goods/products/services to offer. Alternatively, 2GDots could be linked to the general forum.

  26. Hi Terence #23

    I share your comments – I too feel that the idea of payment for services is not acceptable among SHCians. This brings us to what you mentioned – transport, materials, time and skills taught & learnt need to be considered. I had put up 2 posts as I really believe that there are some like me who like to learn new things. True, a fee tag comes with the learning as I think nothing is for free.

    Jassmine #24
    Thank you for your offer of help. I’m planning to have 2 craft activities at my condo flat in Nov. The dates are not confirmed as I’m trying to form the groups.I’m thinking that perhaps what’s created at the sessions can be shown at the gathering. You can also think of what we can include too. It will likely be on a Sunday afternoon. I will confirm the date and perhaps we can meet up when I’m in S’pore too,at my flat.

    Regards
    Joan

  29. Hi Sylvia #28 and Jassmine

    Reading Sylvia’s comment, I think Jassmine, I would like your help in getting SHCians who would like to swap skills like what Sylvia wrote. Hopefully through your post, more will come forward to offer their skills, whether a sharing, swap, FOC, a fee etc.

    Sylvia, I hope you wil come to the open house and have a demo on ink painting and ballon sculpture. I think I can get a relative to showcase batik painting.

    Sad to say, I’m not skilful in craft though I do cross stitching more as therapy. I like the outdoors and travelling. Perhaps I will share some travel tips.

    At the moment, a possible date can be Nov 15, 3 – 5 pm.

    Regards

  30. Hi Jassmine

    Yes, the open house would require organising and perhaps not a good idea. Instead I will just meet up with some members and will email them directly on a suitable date and time.

    I’m interested in starting something like an enrichment centre and your post threw up some interesting comments.

    Regards
    Joan

  31. Hi Joan

    An enrichment centre has a lot of potential. If a member instructor teaches a class foc, participants need only pay for the venue rental and materials (if any). This I think would help make the activity attractive to other members.

    My 2 cents’ worth.

    Cheers,

  32. Hi Jassmine

    Thanks for your suggestion #31.Yes, I’m planning for an enrichment activity on batik painting demo foc in Nov (Refer to my post on batik painting for beginners). There will be just a few places as a few friends (non-SHC)may also attend.

    Earlier there was no response when I posted the course on SHC website. So I’ve decided to KIV or cancel the course on a paying basis, for now.

    Perhaps at this gathering, I may be able to meet people who are interested in teaching/sharing some skills etc.

    Cheers
    Joan

    I’m arranging for

  33. Hi Jassmine,

    Since you started this post on Barter exchange, I have some suggestions. I am keen to improve my mandarin language, anyone out keen to form a class? I am prepared to pay a fee or in exchange I can teach how to play chess.

    The Flea mart is forthcomng and we have booked the hall from 1.00-9.00pm, anyone with any ideas or hobbies or craft to share can make use of the hall at a nominal fee of $20 which may be recoup from those attending.

    I am taking a table space for barter Exchange at the flea mart. Member are free to post here whatever you have for exchange.

    For a start, I have the following books for exchange:
    1. The Greatest Miracle in the world by Og Mandino.
    2. To kill a mocking bird(Winner of the Pulitzer Prize) by Harper Lee. Over 15,000,000 copies sold.
    3. The renewal factor by Robert H. Waterman,Jr by the coauthor of ‘In search of excellence’.
    4. Rainbow Six by Tom Clancy, New York Times #1 bestseller.
    5. 50 facts that shold change the world by Jessica Williams.
    6. The success system that never fails by Clement Stone.
    7. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki

    More will be on display at the Flea Mart!

    Danz4Joy!

  34. Hi Danz
    I’m sure there are members from the club who can teach Chinese. Did you study Chinese in school (in pr. sch, at least)and then through disuse over the years, the knowledge learnt is now rusty? If you are in this category of Chinese learners, I think it’ll be very helpful to learn hanyu pinyin first – use this as a stepping stone to eventual chinese literacy.

    For hanyu pinyin learning – I can share the basics with you FOC or for a simple, short-cut ‘delicious’ dish recipe – hands-on will be ideal, lah..but so not convenient, I know.

    I had a bilingual sharing session with a lady member once and both of us were so satisfied with the outcome of the sharing that we are meeting for another session. I’ll ask if she’s interested in an exchange with you.

    For ‘listing’ of items for exchange, I think it’s more relevant to post the items in the flea mart thread. But if anyone wants to post in the exchange thread, that’s alright too. The book “Rich Dad Poor Dad” is an interesting read. Incidentally, I prefer Poor Dad’s advice!

    Cheers,

  35. Hi Jassmine

    Anniong Haseyo! I can teach Malay/Indonesian and conversational French FOC if the pupils come to my house. I can also take pets for a walk if the owners are too busy. Apart from that I can also be a PI if you need me to spy on anyone…

  36. Frisna-si,

    Anyeong haseyo! So generous of you to offer so many goodies foc! Even the PI service? Beware, there might be overwhelming response for your PI service. Lol!

    Seriously, I’m interested in conversational French. Please e-mail me your address. If it’s not near ‘Timbuktu’, will make the effort to go learn some French.

    Kamsahamnida.

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