1. Will Carolina Trade Exchange help with Training?  Yes, absolutely!  Carolina Trade Exchange can, and will, assist and schedule a time to train anyone in your business on trade, barter and exchange.  Furthermore, we will work with you to ensure you are being marketed and advertised in the ways/means and manner you desire. We can do this through our network, our website, our directory, and our sales staff.

2. How does pricing work?  Carolina Trade Exchange mandates that every business in the Exchange charge standard pricing for their goods and services.  Simply stated, we do not require you to pass on any coupons or discounts, unless you choose to do so.  In this manner, the field remains even for all Members.  We do not permit our Members to inflate pricing or charge Carolina Trade Exchange Members a greater price than normal cash transactions, ensuring everyone is treated fairly.  Our Members do monitor pricing and can ask for our assistance if they feel they have been charged a greater or different amount.

3. Why use Carolina Trade Exchange?  We will bring a vast array of quality services, merchants and customized solutions to you and your business.  Carolina Trade Exchange will meet with each Member and request a  "Top Ten" list of desired goods/services/products that you feel are important. We will then work diligently to obtain those services.  In doing so, our Members will think "trade first" and have the opportunity to make the best use of their valuable trade dollars.  Membership in CTE also eliminates trying to find your own trade solutions, negotiate a fair value for your goods, ensures you are trading with reputable companies, and returns your investment directly to your company.  Quite simply, as our slogan supports, Trade Makes $ense!

4. How is Carolina Trade Exchange different?  Currently, Carolina Trade Exchange is the only trade exchange in the market that does *NOT* require its members to pay a percentage when another member utilizes their services. We strongly believe that you should only pay for transactions when YOU decide to spend your trade credits, and we will not impose a fee for you to conduct business as a seller with other members.  This places the responsibility solely on CTE to build and maintain a viable network where our members want and choose to spend their credits, and ensures that you're never paying cash for trade credits on sales transactions with other Members.  We also have a local office that you are invited to visit so you may explore the options of how Carolina Trade Exchange can immediately make an impact on your company's bottom line. We are not home-based or affiliated with any other business. We are completely focused on our trade membership, unlike most of our competition.

5. What are the cost(s) to join Carolina Trade?   CTE does not currently charge an initial membership fee.  There are monthly fees and transaction fees imposed only when you choose to purchase goods and services with the Trade Exchange. Again, CTE is the only Trade Exchange currently not charging for transactions when a Member uses your products/goods/services. Why pay to get business??

6. What are the tax implications?  Do you report to the IRS? The IRS treats and views a trade credit just the same as a dollar.  CTE will provide monthly statements to each member, as well as electronically reporting all transactions to the IRS.  We also furnish our Members with a 1099 form at the end of the year.  Bear in mind, you can also donate your credits to charity (please call us for further insight and information).

7. What if I need to make a purchase before I've earned trade dollars?  A line of credit may be requested.  Contact Carolina Trade for further information and we will work to assist you.

8. How does Carolina Trade recommend that I price my goods and services? Full retail pricing is the standard within the Trade Exchange.

9. Why join Carolina Trade Exchange?  Can't I do this on my own? Quite simply, to avoid the problems and time-consuming work that individual barter deals can present, it's best to work directly with a trade exchange. Think of Carolina Trade Exchange as an airline hub, offering many distinct connections to businesses that you may or may not know even existed, and vice versa! You would have to find another business owner that needs exactly what you have to offer, who is willing to trade, and then begin the complicated process of pricing.  With CTE that work is already done.  All members can, and do, trade within our network. Members are not required to trade with the business that purchased from them, and vice versa. When a transaction occurs, trade dollars, or trade credits, are either credited or debited to/from your barter account with CTE, depending on whether you are buying or selling.  A trade exchange also gives Members a place to go for assistance in the unlikely event another Member does not trade with them in good faith. We feel this is the value of your membership with CTE.