Help me with phrases for bartering

DUKE

Ask them what their lowest possible price is, and beg like your life depends on it

benood

Timmne wrote: »

I think the word you're looking for is 'haggling' - bartering is where you'd pay them by offering your skill or trade instead of payment (which is illegal BTW!)

Offer them cash (to save on the VAT), if they accept then you can blackmail them when they've done the job and say you'll offer them 50% of the quote otherwise you'll report them for VAT evasion....

You are joking I hope. What's illegal about barter exactly?

As for the VAT dodge :rolleyes: blackmail is in itself illegal not to mention that there would be nothing to stop the trader from issuing a full bill plus VAT as soon as you start your blackmail, leaving you looking stupid and out of pocket.

Timmne

benood wrote: »

You are joking I hope. What's illegal about barter exactly?

....the VAT dodge....

You answered your own question!

Quote from HMRC website:

8.7 Barter and part-exchange

If you supply services, or new or second-hand goods, and receive other goods or services in full or part-payment, two separate supplies take place. There is a supply of goods or services from you to your customer and a supply of goods or services by the customer to you.

Both you and your customer must account for VAT if the customer is a taxable person. Paragraph 7.4 explains how you work out the value of these supplies.

Although the legalilty of bartering isn't the issue for this thread!

Imp

Get a copy of Spon's small works book. Work up an estimate yourself (remembering to add on inflation). Then when they present their estimate to you, say that their estimate doesn't tally with yours, show them yours and ask them to explain any large discrepancies.

They are more likely to listen to you if you are being reasonable and can back up your lower price expectations with something concrete.

Dave_®f©

Tell them you have three company's booked for quotes for the work (even if you don't). They know there will be competition for the work and the price will reflect that. Don't seem overly keen right away and ask for time to think about it.