Carol Rolland - National Broker Trainer - IMS HQ - New Berlin, Wisconsin

I just reviewed the holiday gift guide that IMS is providing to our members nationwide. Wow! I am astounded at the huge selection of high quality of products available for purchase with their IMS trade dollars - all presented so nicely and with clear instructions on how to order. I know our members will be impressed!

New Berlin, Wisconsin - Mark Bowman - IMS Barter Broker

We have a real estate agent who is a member here (he accepts his commission in IMS trade dollars). He recently wanted to purchase a $23,000 copier for his office with his trade dollars, but he didn’t have enough in his trade account. I asked him to think about other products or services he had that he could sell. He mentioned a 33ft Winnebago that he owned. It was parked right next to his house. He was trying to sell it, but hadn’t had any luck. I went to see it. I said “If I can find a buyer, would you sell it for IMS trade?”. He agreed. I got to work and presented a buyer to him shortly after that initial conversation. The buyer purchased the Winnebago, had it re-painted (paid for with IMS barter as well!), and my real estate member earned enough trade from the sale to purchase the copier.

Chattanooga, Tennessee - Donna Burlingham - IMS Barter Broker

I have a radio station member here that had accumulated a sizable balance of trade dollars. They weren’t spending no matter how much I tried to reach out to the contact person at the station with great things to buy. I ended-up hearing from the station manager who wanted to know…”who is IMS and what are we supposed to do with all this so-called money?” I told him that his trade balance should be looked at just like cash and  proceeded to go down a list of things that he might be interested in for the station. It took 10 minutes. They’ve recently placed an order for t-shirts, they’ve had the office cleaned (including carpets), and we are looking at bumper stickers for them too. All it took was someone there who knew what they needed to talk with me. I tell my members all the time…please take a few minutes to tell me what you’re looking for - let me show you how IMS can work for you!  

New Berlin, Wisconsin - Steve Lamp - IMS Barter Broker Manager

We helped one of our hotel members in the Wisconsin Dells make a very nice purchase for his property. We received this email from him:

“Thank you for assisting me with a huge cost the every hotel runs into every few years. Replacing mattresses is always a huge expense. IMS was able to connect me with another member from whom I was able to purchase 19 Queen/King mattresses. The transaction ran so smoothly and we were also able to have the old mattresses hauled away at no extra cost.  It sure was easier on the pocketbook to buy these mattresses using open room nights that you filled! Thank you for your help!”

Denver, Colorado - Janel Skinner - IMS Barter Broker

I have a member here who owns a real nice beauty salon. She recently moved locations and was trying to think of ways to let the new neighborhood know she was in town. She discovered that outside her new shop was an area where bands come and play. The summer has been quite warm there, so she asked me if we could get hand fans for her to give out to people who come. She wanted the fans to advertise her new location with her shop name and contact number on it. We were able to do just that…and get a coupon printed on one side too! She handed out 400 fans these past few months. She is thrilled with how she was able to use her IMS trade dollars and advertise in such a creative way.

Rochester, New York - Kimberly Schlafer - IMS Barter Broker

A member here in Rochester who provides CPA services enjoys visiting Martha’s Vineyard every year. This year, I suggested that he consider using some of his trade dollars to go. He took my suggestion and utilized the IMS travel department. IMS booked his entire stay at a wonderful lodge that he was already familiar with in Martha’s Vineyard and he paid for it with his IMS trade dollars. He just returned and sent me an email saying that his vacation and the accommodations were great and he’ll be going back for sure.

Las Vegas, Nevada - Ronni Wayne - IMS Barter Broker

I have a member here in Las Vegas who provides radio broadcasting. They do a lot of promos during the summer months for their station. At the start of the season, they wanted to purchase a small quantity of beach balls with their trade dollars. Since LV has no beaches (and therefore no local beach ball companies to barter with!), I reached out to my fellow barter brokers. Alan Arber in our Milwaukee office came up with a great solution…he had a member there who could do a large quantity AND imprint the radio station’s logo on the balls. So, my member decided to stock-up for the summer season of promos and purchased over 1200 beach balls in the color he wanted and with the station logo printed on them. My client is thrilled with IMS…and Alan Arber is my hero.

Modesto, California – Daniel Valencia – IMS Barter Broker

My members benefit tremendously from my involvement in the regular calls that we have to discuss what IMS members have to offer across the country. The call is an efficient way for me to learn about great offers from IMS members outside California. Lots of times, the offers are brand new and not listed yet on the online barter marketplace. Just this month, one of my most avid trading members bought a shuffleboard from out of state. I learned about it on one of the broker calls. He’s thrilled.

Niles, Illinois – Karen Zauer – IMS Barter Broker

I just had a member return from a trip they needed to take for their business to Baltimore. They decided to take the kids and make it a little vacation. I just received an email from them saying they ate out at a great Italian restaurant in Baltimore, went for ice cream after and stayed at a Virginia Beach resort…all using their IMS trade dollars and the IMS travel department. The hotel even gave them a suite so the kids had their own room so Mom and Dad could enjoy some drinks, a movie and sunset over the bay from another room. They are so happy with their working vacation paid for with IMS trade dollars!