TradeFirst.com Teams with Better Business Bureau
"Times are tight for the economy in Michigan, but since 1978, thousands of successful
businesses have used TradeFirst to gain new customers, increase sales, and conserve
cash in all types of business cycles", counsels Fred Detwiler, president of TradeFirst.com.
"As in every other economic downturn, creative thinking is going to power our recovery."
TradeFirst.com is the rapidly growing local barter network that is helping businesses realize
their potential and achieve their objectives even in these tough times. If you are wondering how
you will fix the roof, where you will find new customers, or how you will fund a planned expansion…
prepare to be steered toward a creative solution.
"Since opening in 1978, TradeFirst has become one of the largest independently owned trade
exchanges in the country," Detwiler explains. "Members buy and sell from one another using trade
dollars, an alternative currency to money. By bartering for products and services, they generate
new business, offset cash expenses, and increase profits. Best of all, businesses can barter using
excess capacity and inventory– making this an extremely advantageous solution." Detwiler tells us that over 5,000 local member companies currently supply thousands of different products and services in this unique economy. He also expects that this dynamic new program between TradeFirst.com and the Better Business Bureau will dramatically increase barter transactions. 
How does TradeFirst work? It is very similar to one-on-one barter with one extremely important difference. In one-on-one barter, the buyer and seller have to have a mutual need, but when trading with TradeFirst, a buyer makes purchases from other members in the system by giving them trade dollars instead of cash. They earn the trade dollars by making sales to new clients introduced to them via TradeFirst membership. So, a printer may earn trade dollars by selling to retailers and restaurants, but spend their trade dollars instead of cash on dental work and landscaping. Members are given a monthly statement showing their available trade balance, and details on their purchases and sales. They also have instant access to all of their account information, as well as a wealth of other trading information, at their industry leading website www.tradefirst.com.
“The TradeFirst marketplace is unique in that the members are supported by a strategic foundation of proven technology and decades of barter experience. We are committed to helping our members maximize their TradeFirst sales while at the same time, giving them accurate and convenient means of finding the best places to utilize the trade dollars they have earned,” explained Detwiler.
TradeFirst members find that connecting with new customers is much easier in the TradeFirst marketplace because of the intensive and effective marketing done to promote each account to other members. Vehicles include printed and on-line directories, newsletters, flyers, e-mail broadcasts and e-mails targeted by geography or marketplace, barter expos, as well as the personal attention of a service team assigned to actively promote them within the membership. In addition to this promotional and customer service help, members also have access to a professional media department that helps turn their trade dollars into more new business, a travel department that can help book the vacation of their dreams, and health care options that can keep the member happy and healthy.
“The Better Business Bureau has stood for fairness and honesty in the marketplace for 95 years. By working with TradeFirst on a Joint Benefit Program, BBB members now have instant access to our over 5000 member’s goods and services. A small sampling of these businesses available are: The Palace of Auburn Hills, Naturalistic Landscapes, The Ceresnie & Offen Fur Group, Michigan Box Company, Shelving, Inc., Jax Car Wash, Viamedia, Roostertail, Shield’s Restaurant, Auto One, and 94.7 – WCSX.
Wayne Weintraub of Kurtis Kitchen and Bath Centers, a TradeFirst.com member as well as a BBB member advises that, “TradeFirst.com membership has been a boon for my business, and I can confidently recommend that my fellow BBB members take advantage of TradeFirst.com.” Joe Schodowski, a dual BBB and TradeFirst member, and President of Shelving.com explains that, “We have met all kinds of great clients through our TradeFirst membership They have been good repeat customers and many of them have referred us even more new business.”