Yes, on a tax free island in the caribbean. Lets call it Atlantis.

We have to be careful there John. If the IRS chooses to define it as barter, it's taxable.

Barter is the natural free market. A trade of something of value for something else of value is simply no ones business but the two participants. The IRS can pack sand.(edited for an afterthought) Or, considering the amount of rain we`ve gotten in 4 weeks, the IRS can pack mud.

Does the IRS barter thing apply if you exchange things of equal value?

Being There

I think it could be done. Though unfortunately in a very secretive fashion.

Thanks for posting your question!
As I think about it more, setting up a dedicated online "shop" or meeting place creates a visible and large target for the status quo forces to attack. Or infiltrate. Think Napster and Silicon Road. So what if instead you just asked an ad-hoc question here for a specific item you either want to get rid of or obtain? Then wait for someone in particular to respond and try to work out a mutually beneficial trade from there.
Maybe there is a tag or keyword to put in the post so these types of "questions" can be found rather easily as a group. But still more low key.
Here is the cross link if anyone is curious where the idea started:
http://www.galtsgulchonline.com/posts...

Love It!

Do you mean a REAL swap shop? So many of
these responses seem to be jokes about some-
thing else.--It might be a good idea, if one person
has, for instance, an autoharp he might be willing
to swap for a radio, or something like that.

It's really quite simple. Use pre '64 US silver as a basis of trade. Whatever gains there may be, just remit with FRNs. They use smoke & mirrors, why shouldn't we?

It sounds like a great idea, but doing this type of exchange on an open forum would be watched and taxed by the IRS.