North American Barter Association Launches Nation-Wide Investigation Into Price-Gouging of Merchants

Less than 2% of all barter transactions currently involve complaints.

(PRWEB) October 26, 2005 -- The North American Barter Association's board of directors authorized a team of NABA investigators to follow-up on increased complaints of price gouging that have been received over the last six months, mostly from mid-western states where merchants have been asked to pay much higher than normal prices for goods and services ranging from house paint to roofing. Last year only 1,207 complaints were received nation-wide by NABA about inflated prices, but this year the number is up to 1,518 and there are still another two months to go in 2005.

Although less than 2% of all barter transactions involve complaints, NABA wants to reduce this number by 50%.

It seems that barter exchanges that require part cash and part barter are behind more than 95% of the complaints and they appear to be concentrated in the service sector

Most reputable barter exchanges police themselves, but with the volume of barter increasing over 20% a year since 9/11, the task has become overwhelming

We are obligated by our charter to protect merchants who are victimized

Be wary of barter-exchanges that exist only in cyber-space with no legitimate offices or staff

"It seems that barter exchanges that require part cash and part barter are behind more than 95% of the complaints and they appear to be concentrated in the service sector" explained Nathan Forbes, the new executive director of NABA who just took his post on October 15th. This has been a familiar problem industry-wide for decades since some merchants feel that when barter is involved they can get away with increasing the cash portion of their deals, and often try tacking on $2 or $3 per hour on their labor. "Most reputable barter exchanges police themselves, but with the volume of barter increasing over 20% a year since 9/11, the task has become overwhelming" added Forbes.

NABA's 6 investigators will pursue the complaints filed to date and try to mediate amicable resolutions in cases where prices exceed 7.5% over the national pricing standards. Those that cannot be resolved will be referred to the Federal Trade Commission and appropriate State Attorney General for follow-up. "We are obligated by our charter to protect merchants who are victimized" added Forbes. In the interim, NABA warns merchants to seek out only reputable barter exchanges who have clean records with their Better Business Bureau, The FTC, IRTA, and NABA. "Be wary of barter-exchanges that exist only in cyber-space with no legitimate offices or staff" warns Forbes.

NABA is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of international barter with fair and ethical pricing and policies. Our allegiance is to the merchants at large and the public in general. We avail ourselves to any merchant who requires mediation or arbitration to resolve disputed charges or pricing. NABA is totally apolitical and does not discriminate by age, creed, race, region, nor gender. We strive to be be fair and objective with both merchants and barter exchanges alike.

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