I have been a bartercard member here in Sydney since the mid 1980's. I'm told that I am one of the originals for Sydney Bartercard. In the early days I traded with gusto and built up a sizeable $T balance. After sometime of being unable to spend the $T on my business (as opposed to personal consumption) I became disillusioned with the whole system. I decided to relinquish my $T balance in its entirety (one downside of the system).

I subsequently rejoined bartercard with a new resolve to trade, and I did so for several years. Until recently my account has been dormant for sometime. Having come out of 'retirement' I am looking to trade again but am finding the same old difficulties as I did before.

I rely on the hardcopy directory because I've had a disgraceful time trying to find traders online. Just today I was using the Bartercard Phone Book (Directory) and found a service I wanted t0 use. Unfortunately the mobile number listed belonged to someone completely different. Hmmmmm. I went on to the internet and found another number. I called it only to discover that the business is no longer a Bartercard member :-(

I've been working with my new Account Manager in Sydney Head Office. It's a shame that my Managers are changed with annoying frequency. You just build a good relationship then a few days ago I get a call with someone else introducing themselves as your new Account Manager. My prior manager was only with me for a few weeks. I hope the new incumbent works as well as my last.

I think management needs to adopt the attitude of 'under promise and over deliver'.

My greatest 'joy' at the moment would be to find a member that I want to use, and then to have them accept my T$ business if not joyfully then at least with decorum.

I resigned originally because my wife didn't like being treated as second class citizen. We were fitting out a new nursery for our baby, went to a large baby goods store and chose about $3k worth of 'stuff'. The trader refused to accept T$

Looking at the latest mybc Directory I find that my company is NOT listed, nor am I as an individual. Interesting huh. That might account for my lack of inward business.

In conclusion I think the 'system' is great in theory but has yet to gain proper traction at the grass roots level.

We all need to 'pick up our game' if Bartercard is to arrest the shrinking that I have witnessed over the long years that I have been a member.

I remain positive and do my best to use members wherever possible. I am currently experiencing trading difficulties but am hopeful that these issues will be resolved soon