Bartering Items

[troy28]

planting seeds (small light cheap), clothing especially warm, bars of soap, water filtration devices, basic wood working tools, basic large gardening tools, sharpening stones, knives, rope, matches, 5gal buckets and water storage devices.

 

[Hemingway]

anyone know how long heirloom seeds will keep if stored in a cool dry place?

 

[6birds]

a couple ten thousand years....

 

[Waveraider]

Neat thread and makes me think of what I have and need.

Indianasfinest. I've been collecting Coleman stoves, lanterns and parts for a few years myself. It's fun and it gets addicting. I've been told that unleaded fuel is fine, regardless of age or model.

6birds. You and your equipment are an excellent bartering tool, and services like yours will be very valuable when SHTF.

 

[davidparrish60]

i think knives... people always need a good knife. zippo(and off brand) lighters and flent. got to start a fire and light cigs. tobacco, and the sort everything that is goin up in price now will be needed even more when it happens.

 

[RichardR]

I called Coleman a bunch of years ago & inquired about using gasoline in my Coleman fueled stove, they told me that duel fuel Coleman stoves use a different material for their O-rings and that gasoline can cause the Coleman fueled Coleman stove O-rings to corrode/deteriorate.

And they warned me that if an O-ring goes bad it can leak & a leak means the stove could burst into fire while it is being used, so if you are going to run gasoline in your non duel fuel Coleman stoves keep that possibility in mind.

Anyway the shelf-life of heirloom seeds depends on what plant species they are from & how they are stored, some are only good for a year or two, while others can be stored for several years.

Just remember that every season that they are not planted a percentage of them will go bad & will not germinate, regardless of what species of plant & regardless of how they are stored.

They (the seeds) are still living things, even if they are in a sort of dormant stasis / suspended animation they will eventually die if they are not planted.

 

[troy28]

Anyway the shelf-life of heirloom seeds depends on what plant species they are from & how they are stored, some are only good for a year or two, while others can be stored for several years.

Just remember that every season that they are not planted a percentage of them will go bad & will not germinate, regardless of what species of plant & regardless of how they are stored.

They (the seeds) are still living things, even if they are in a sort of dormant stasis / suspended animation they will eventually die if they are not planted.

No intent on thread jacking. Just a random FYI Cool dry dark places are good for storing seeds. I personally store them in bottom of the freezer. It is a very good point that seeds are still a living thing. However you store them make sure you NEVER vacuum seal them or buy vacuum sealed seeds for long term storage. They do not need a lot of oxygen but, they do still require oxygen.

now returning you to your regularly scheduled thread...

 

[SmileDocHill]

Not that I have any to speak of but bartering skills and knowledge would be pretty handy. Putting myself in the position of someone that needs something (like soap) I would "owe" someone a deeper debt for teaching me to make soap, or make and distill alcohol for disinfecting, rather than trading for a couple bars or bottles. As the person giving you get something physical for your trade (which you physically gave nothing for) but you also can earn a ton of trust and reputation points that could have untold returns.
Physically, I have local anesthetic and syringes and disposable sterile needles that will be worth gold. Some of which would never be traded while I'm alive.

 

[MattYagPD01]

Boots, Boots, Boots, phone books, salt, vinegar start kits, dental items, hand tools... The Patriots, Surviving the Coming Collapse.

amen ... preach on dear brother, preach on!!!!!!

 

[woodsie57]

Always thought alcohol and tobacco would get you whatever you need, but the other ideas are great. Esp. toilet paper and lighters!

 

[silkpoet]

Toothbrushes are light and packable and will be in demand. Baking soda. Salt. Small but rugged knives.

 

[Hemingway]

I agree with you guys that one area people seem to neglect is the intangible realm--like services or know-how. Spending some time learning to be handy or obtain a special skill and then have the tools and supplies to perform those skills and you'll be better off, in my opinion, than having solid goods to barter. (Although, I still like to stock up on them, too.)

Personally, I've evaluated my inability to work on anything mechanical over the last couple of years and I've tried to overcome that. I got a good set of solid tools (doubles on most things) and started doing my own work on my cars and bikes. And doing more hands-on work around the house. I'm sure I don't do things as well as a pro but I am acquiring knowledge and getting better all the time.

Same goes for medical skills, gardening skills, carpentry, reloading, knife sharpening, barber, etc, etc, etc. All valuable skills if society reverts to necessities.

Maybe not QUITE as useful: interior designer, Starbucks barista, personal assistant

 

[6birds]

Starbucks barista

I'm a big fan. I can't seem to grow beans up here, not sure what i'm going to do when my supply runs short.

 

[BlisterPac]

Hotel size tolietries (soap, shampoo, etc) and wetnaps.

 

[Jerry D Young]

My thoughts and opinions on barter and trade

Never show more than necessary for a given trade. Never let on like you have more.
Only trade alcohol, weapons, and ammunition to those you know will not be a problem for you later.
Try to barter skills and knowledge rather than goods. They don’t run out.
Try to barter the information in books. Don’t let the books leave your control.
Try to barter the use of tools and equipment rather than trading them away.
Try to make trades in neutral areas or at a designated barter/trade meeting. Make sure you aren’t followed back home.
Not all the items/skills listed will be of much value early into the event. It could be three to five years or more for some of the items to become valuable.
Try to have most of your equipment and several months of consumables before you stockpile trade goods, including Precious Metals.
When it comes to PMs, unless you are wealthy, start slow. A few silver dimes & quarters at a time. When you feel it is time to get gold coins, stay with the small denominations. And remember that there will be some people that won’t trust or want them.

Some of what I'm acquiring for barter (No, I don’t have all of these items. Yet.)

Scales to get agreed upon weights of items
commercial scale (±500#)
commercial scale (±100#)
commercial scale (±10#)
commercial scale (±16oz)

small containers for measured out items (spices, meds, etc.)(really small zip-locks)

1.0 oz gold coins
0.1 oz gold coins
40 count rolls pre-1965 silver quarters
50 count rolls pre-1965 silver dimes
blank barter slips (pre-printed slips to record barter transaction – who, what, when, how much, etc.)

A large library of useful books (remember, trade the information, not the book)

200ml bottles 190 proof Everclear
smokeless tobacco
2 oz boxes tobacco
booklets cigarette papers
smoking pipes
small boxes matches
butane lighter fuel
Zippo lighter fuel
lighter flints
lighter wicks
disposable lighters
straight razors w/strop, soap, & cup
shaving soap
Q-tips

playing cards
dice

candle/oil lamp wick
Coleman lantern mantles
Crank flashlights

2 oz jars instant coffee
16 count boxes teabags
2 oz jars bouillon cubes
tubs add-water-only drink mix

1 pound boxes sugar
various spices
small containers of cooking oil
2 oz boxes salt
2 oz cans pepper
5 oz cans milk
4 oz cans cocoa
2 oz bars chocolate candy
8 oz bags hard candy (individually wrapped)

4 oz cans Vienna sausage/potted meat
12 oz cans roast beef
7 oz cans Spam (or 12oz)(or Treet)
6 oz cans tuna
10 oz cans soup (heavy on the meat types)

16 oz bags rice
16 oz bags beans/lentils

aspirin pain killer
acetaminophen pain killer
multi-vitamin
OTC reading glasses
OTC UVA/UVB resistant sunglasses
Cheap wide-brimmed straw hats

small boxes tampons/sanitary napkins
reusable sanitary napkins

reusable cotton diapers
diaper pins
plastic/poly/nylon/rubber diaper cover pants

clothes pins

wooden pencils/ink pens
small note books
legal pads

50 count bottles water purification tablets

6”-12” candles
boxes strike anywhere kitchen matches

rolls toilet paper
bars soap (Ivory, Lava, Fels Naptha laundry soap)
hair combs/brushes
disposable razors
toothbrushes
boxes baking soda
shoe and boot laces

packets safety pins
packets of sewing needles
spools of thread

mousetraps
rat traps
fly swatters

jersey gloves
cotton/leather work gloves
insulated gloves
socks

tubes silicone sealant
tubes Shoe Goo/Goop
tubes JB Weld
duct tape
mechanic’s wire
electrical tape
friction tape
rubber tape
sheet plastic
divided buckets with a variety of nails, screws, bolts, nuts, and washers
sealed cans of welding rods (6011 and/or 7018 1/8”)
variety of brazing rods
cans of brazing flux

regular canning lids
wide mouth canning lids
Tattler reusable canning lids
Tattler reusable canning lid rubber rings
P-38/P-51 can openers

6-hour cans ECOFuelXB
1-lb propane cylinders
10-lb bags charcoal briquettes

solar 12-volt battery chargers
solar AAA, AA, C, D, 9-volt battery charger
rechargeable batteries AAA, AA, C, D, 9-volt


#10 cans heirloom seeds
Coffee plant seed
Tobacco plant seed
Tea plant seed
Poppy plant seed

Biodiesel production chemicals
Soap making chemicals

500-round bricks .22 LR RF cartridges
5-round boxes .410/20 GA shells
single units M6 Scout/Savage 24F/Remington SPR-94 O/U .22 RF/.410 or 20 gauge combos


Here are some examples of Tradesman’s Tools that could be stockpiled and either used and the product/service bartered, or their USE bartered out. One wouldn’t barter away the tools that bring in the food. (Again, I don’t have all the items or skills.)
±500# scale
±100# scale
±10# scale
±16oz scale

Tailor/Seamstress tools
Sewing machine
Serger
Sewing basket (needles, thimbles, thread, measuring tape, seam ripper, scissors, shears, marking chalk, straight edge, pins, neck magnifying glass, etc.)
bolts of cloth, patterns, spare needles, pins, chalk, thread, buttons, zippers, snaps, etc)
Treadle type sewing machine (Janome 712T)
weaving looms
>1,000 watt generator


Food processing tools
Grain grinders, solar dehydrators, butchering tools, manual meat slicer, manual meat grinder, sausage stuffer, stuffing tubes, jerky shooter, meat smoker, water purifier


barbers tools
scissors, combs, hair brushes, dusting brush, broom, dust pan, chair, neck apron, razor, shaving cup, shaving soap, towels

ammunition re-loader’s tools
Dillion progressive tool w/primary caliber dies
RCBS press with common caliber dies
Bullet casting equipment
lead
black powder making tools & screens

laundry tools
Staber washing machine
laundry soap
bleach
clothes lines w/poles, stakes & clothes pins
water heater (kettle w/tripod)
water tank
12v pump & battery
drain line
James washer w/wringer
2+ washtubs
>1,000 watt generator

entertainment tools
band instruments
projection TV
TV projector
Lap-top computer
DVD disk player
VHS tape player
Chairs
Karaoke machine w/cd-g’s
Lighting system
Sound system
>1,500 watt generator
Battery bank, solar panels, and inverter
protective bullet resistant face for TV’s if used
Classic books for storyteller to read

home canning equipment & supplies
firewood cutting tools
knife/edged tool sharpening tools
printer’s/newspaper publisher’s tools
butcher/meat cutter’s tools
meat processors tools (sausage, etc.)
tanner’s tools
milk processors tools (cheese, etc.)
baker’s tools & supplies
bath house/shower room tools
candle maker’s tools & supplies
gardener’s tools
mechanic’s tools
machinist’s tools - Smithy Granite 1340 Industrial Max metalworking all-in-one machine
woodworker’s tools – Smithy Supershop 220 woodworking all-in-one machine
blacksmith’s tools - Oxygen accumulator, acetylene generator
plumber’s tools
lumber making tools - portable sawmill
electrician’s tools
carpenter’s tools
roofer’s tools
stonemason’s tools
primitive building tools
cobbler/shoe maker’s tools
soap maker’s tools
brewer/wine maker’s tools
distillery tools
miller’s tools
spinner & weaver’s tools (looms)
teaching tools and supplies K-12
smelter/foundry/metal worker’s tools
sheep sheering tools
papermaking tools
rope, cordage, and net making tools
millwright’s tools
farm tools (prepare, sow, cultivate, harvest)
biodiesel equipment & supplies
wood gas generator equipment & supplies
charcoal making tools
black powder making tools
reference/do-it-yourself library (books/magazines/CD-ROMs/DVDs)(never let the media out of your control)


Here are the skill sets I think most likely to be needed. (I only have a few of them myself)

Alternative energy specialist
Ammunition re-loader
Appliance repairman
Assayer
Baker
Banker
Barber
Basket maker
Bathhouse/shower room operator
Beekeeper
Bicycle Repairman
Biodiesel maker
Blackpowder maker
Blacksmith
Botanist
Brew master
Brick maker
Bullet caster
Butcher/meat processor
Candle maker
Carpenter
Cartridge maker
Cartwright
Chandler
Charcoal burner
Cheese maker
Chemist
Chimney sweep
Cobbler/shoe maker
Coffin maker
Cook
Cooper (barrel maker)
Coppersmith
Dentist
Distiller, drinking alcohol
Distiller, fuel alcohol
Doctor
Dog trainer
Electrician
Electronics tech
EMT/Paramedic
Experienced barterer/flea market operator
Farmer
Farm hand
Farrier
Firefighter
Firewood purveyor
Fisherman
Food canner/processor
Furniture maker
Gardener
Gatherer (wild plants, useful rocks and minerals)
Glass maker
Goatherd
Goldsmith/silversmith
Gravedigger
Gunpowder maker
Gunsmith/gun maker
Handyman
Harvester/picker
Heavy equipment operator
Herbalist/mineralist
Horse trainer/wrangler
Hunter/trapper
Ice purveyor/harvester/maker
Knife maker
Knife sharpener
Knitter/crocheter
Laundress/laundry room operator
Leather worker
Librarian
Logger/forester/sawyer
Lumber maker
Machinist
Mechanic
Metal worker
Metallurgist
Midwife
Milk maid
Milk processor
Miller
Millwright
Miner
Mulcher/composter/manure collector
Net maker
Nurse
Optician (eyeglass maker)
Orchardman/arborist
Paper maker
Peace Officer
Pedi-cab driver
Pest control specialist
Pharmacist
Plumber
Postman
Pottery maker
Primitive building specialist
Printer/newspaperman
Radio Operator
Rancher
Ranch hand
Repairman
Roofer
Rope/cordage maker
Sail maker
Sailor (Boatswain)
Salt maker
Salvage specialist
Security guard
Shake/shingle maker
Sheep sheerer
Shepherd
Shipwright/boat builder
Shoemaker
Skill At Arms instructor
Small engine mechanic
Smelter/foundryman
Soap maker
Soldier
Spice purveyor
Spinner/Weaver
Stonemason/brick layer
Sugar maker
Surveyor
Tailor/seamstress
Tanner
Teacher
Thatcher
Tinker
Tire repairman
Tool & die maker
Trade maker
Trader/Wagoner
Trapper
Truck driver
Undertaker
Veterinarian
Watch/clock repairman/maker
Weaver
Welder
Well driller
Wheelwright
Winemaker
Wood gas equipment maker
Woodworker


A few skills that won’t be in high demand, but would be a good secondary skill

Artist
Bookbinder
Candy maker
Comedian
Dye maker
Entertainer
Historian
Ink maker
Judge/arbitrator
Karaoke operator
Maid
Massage therapist
Musician
Physicist
Scribe
Secretary
Storyteller
Toy & game maker


Some things I probably won’t get for barter for this reason: If there is a large die off the items will be available to pick up all sorts of places. If there isn’t one, they will still be available through normal channels.

Knives, especially ‘Cheap’ knives
Clothing
Tools (Yes, have a really good set for yourself, and possibly one to barter the use of, but keep the tools)
Cooking equipment
Fishing gear

 

[Chow40cal]

Personally, I've evaluated my inability to work on anything mechanical over the last couple of years and I've tried to overcome that. I got a good set of solid tools (doubles on most things) and started doing my own work on my cars and bikes. And doing more hands-on work around the house. I'm sure I don't do things as well as a pro but I am acquiring knowledge and getting better all the time.

That's a very good way of thinking Hemingway. I think I take my handiness for granted sometimes. The ability to fix the little things yourself, the mechanical things, thats something that will enable to not have to rely so much on others. Not that we'd all close off from each other when SHTF, but I'm sure that not everyone will always be so readily available or so willing to help without expecting something in return. You never know if some will hoard or help when the chips are down.

 

[moischmoe]

When the SHTF, my mother-in-law will be all set. She can barter off the hundreds of Beanie Babies she's collected. Beanies for Bullets- anyone interested?

 

[ThrottleJockey]

Alcohol, tobacco, chocolate, tampons, hand tools, knowledge, anything med. like antibiotics(even the vet stuff in shtf)...Oh, also reading glasses very cheap and worth a man/womans weight in gold if they need glasses and have none, salt, salt peter, spices and seeds of all sorts, powder ball and the guns that shoot them, Oh did I mention tampons? if any of you know any women, ask them, they'll tell you how high up on the list tampons are, in fact my wife buys them a years worth at a time so we won't be the ones giving up food, children, etc in trade for them. Also, ball/mason jars and plenty of extra lids and rings for them as well as plenty of paraffin.

 

[ThrottleJockey]

Oh, snap. I almost forgot, YEAST. Power inverters are pretty valuable in shtf situations too...and relatively cheap.

 

[williamrights]

I just get stuff we take for granted. I look at everyday life and think what would I do without this. Then I stock up. For instance clothing will wear out faster and no more cheap imports so I stocked up on needles 50 for a dollar now and 3000 meter rolls of thread for $1. What will they be worth when you can no longer get clothing at the store.