Remember I posted a rant a few months back about how irritating it is that drug dealers keep trying to barter pot on craigslist?  Check this out:

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20121113/articles/121119846

OK … somebody has to say it so I guess it might as well be me.  Stop whining about paying your barter exchange commissions!

Don’t get the wrong idea.  I’m a fellow trader like most of you.  I do not work for a barter exchange.  I’m just tired of hearing complaints from barter exchange members about paying transaction fees.  Here are my reasons why you should pipe down and smile when you pay your bill to your local exchange.

1. You should have known about the commission structure before you signed up.  If you didn’t, then shame on you and the exchange.  You have a responsibility to know what you are committing to before you sign up.
2. Barter should be a profitable thing for you.  If it isn’t, you shouldn’t be doing it!  With that in mind, you should recognize that your commission fees are directly proportional to your usage of the exchange’s services.  That means it’s a GOOD THING when you get a bill from your exchange.  It means you are using the service and making money with it.
3. Exchanges are for-profit businesses.  If they don’t collect commissions they are out of business and you will have to find all your barter partners on your own.

If you are new to barter and have no idea what I’m talking about here, please check out my barter basics page.