When does it make sense to barter?

Sometimes I barter but when I do, there have to be certain conditions met.

- I won't barter if what I need is cash. The bills have to be paid before I will trade consulting for head shots. After all, I wouldn't purchase that product if the bills were not paid. So someones reluctance to pay for my services is not a good reason to barter.

- I must be getting the same value in return. If I give $200.00 worth of value (ie consulting or taxes) I expect to get $200.00 worth of value in return. I wouldn't give an hour of business coaching in return for a $60.00 manicure for example.

Listen to your instinct. If you feel like you got the bad end of the stick, you likely did.