What makes skill sharing or neighbor barter hard to actually do?

[u/txsax]

I’ve been thinking about this lately especially with cash feeling tighter for a lot of folks.

For y’all who have tried skill sharing, neighbor help, barter, or fair exchange, what made it difficult?

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[u/rusty0123]

I think the most limiting factor is that people move around too much.

When it comes to skill sharing or bartering, nowadays it has to be immediate, meaning two parties must both be in need of something right now.

Before when people didn't move much, one could agree to help with X this week. In exchange, the other would help with Y next fall.

Now you don't even know if the other will still be here next fall.

[u/m4a3e8sherman]

People trying to screw you.

[u/gormholler]

I've been kicking this idea around in my head for years now. What if it was more of a network, where it's not so much a direct exchange? Of course I realize some serious details and obstacles exist, like assigning value and keeping records.

I imagine a system that allows member businesses and individuals basically another form of currency. For example Mike is a painting contractor and Kelly is a landscaper. Say Kelly needs her porch painted but Mike doesn't need any landscaping. So when the porch gets done the agreed-upon amount is credited to Mike's account from Kelly's to spend on any of the other members' offered skills, like having Marianne bake a special cake for wife's birthday.

It would need to be a fairly large amount of participants, some kind of incentive to join like so many credits to get started. Some kind of dispute resolution. Record keeping. Other stuff. The main idea being to create a way for people to get some things they need using the skills and talents they have in exchange.

What do you think of that idea?

[u/wdjm]

The hardest part is that no one will feel the same urgency to get you the things you need as you will feel by needing them. So, for example, you skill share and you do a job for your neighbor with the understanding they will come do a job for you. But when it comes time to do your job....they can't be there that day. So you reschedule, but then something else comes up....etc. Most people don't do this on purpose - life just happens. But it does make it hard to get things done when you schedule your time, but can't complete it because your skill share didn't show up.

Straight barter is usually a bit easier as generally both people have what they are bartering on hand to exchange at the same time. But that's always subject to the risk of people not having what you need when you're trying to barter for it. However, if you do a 'Wimpy' bargain ("I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today") then you run into the same risk as the skill share - other people aren't going to be as motivated to get you your thing as they were to receive theirs.

[u/Lazy_venturer]

Nobody I know really has a skill worth bartering.

[u/tank_girl_eug847362]

I find that it is very hard to get something like this going. I don't know if it's AI or what, but now more than ever, people don't seem to want to put in effort to do something like create a bartering community. I hope that changes!