Innovative new company allows businesses to trade their spare capacity for products

QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA. More and more businesses across Australia are getting into barter to free up their business cash-flow and finance new purchases. OzoneCard Australia, first launched in 2006, has a growing database of businesses trading everything from empty hotel rooms to houses – all without the need for cash.

Unlike traditional barter transactions, businesses need not trade directly with one another as OzoneCard handles all of the transactions through its proprietary accounting system which records the value of each transaction and provides participants with a running account “balance” of deals going in and out.

The company operates a network of some 5,000 businesses across the globe and specialises in corporate match-making for surplus products as well as spare capacity trading.

“We basically act as a clearinghouse for goods and services. You tell us what you have in spare capacity or inventory and we trade it for things you normally spend cash on,” says Rimoni Leota, media liaison for the firm.

Much like a stock exchange, OzoneCard provides its customers with access to an e-commerce site where they can list what they have to offer and search to buy other products and services. When a transaction takes place the on-line system handles the settlement in barter credits and keeps track of each members account position.

The company also operates swipe card, telephone, internet and mobile phone banking services; allowing members to make trades and settle transactions 24 hours a day.

Tarsis Evans, owner of Tazmania Blinds, says that OzoneCard allows him to trade curtain and blind manufacturing for services he would otherwise pay in cash.

“In the last month I got my carpets cleaned and my car repaired for a total of nearly $1000,” Tarsis said. “But it wasn’t $1000 in cash. It was the cost of making new blinds for someone else – which was far less. I saved around $800 as most of the cost in producing blinds is the labour charge.”

According to Mr Leota, the car repair company got a good deal as well. “The auto-repair shop then used his barter credits to buy a meal out and go away for a weekend. All up it might have cost him $1200 in parts to do a $500 job. He was swapping his spare time for something he needed.”

OzoneCard differs from other barter exchanges in that it allows its members to trade anything – and anyone can join. The company also advertises no cash fees of any kind and only a small transaction fee – payable in barter.

For companies building up their asset base OzoneCard gives them the opportunity to utilize their down-time in a productive manner without discounting by helping its members swap their spare time for things they need – at full market value.

The company is currently offering franchises for 100% barter. To find out more please contact phillip.worsnop@ozonecardaustralia.com or visit them on the web at www.ozonecard.com.