About Us

Art of Barter

About Art of Barter

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Art of Barter provides barter brokerage services to approximately 1,500 small business clients located primarily in the Greater Chicagoland area.

Member businesses "purchase" goods and services from other member businesses using "barter dollars" in lieu of cash. Art of Barter revenue is derived from a cash commission on each transaction within its network.

The company has negotiated in excess of $160 million in barter transactions for its members since beginning operation in 1992.

Industry Background

Throughout history, people have bartered what they have for what they needed. Barter is nothing new. However, in the late 1960’s a cash equivalent private currency was introduced at the first trade exchange. The use of a barter dollar greatly expands the economic possibilities beyond simple direct trade between two parties.

Today, the barter industry is composed of hundreds of exchanges representing millions of businesses worldwide. Art of Barter is one of the leading independent trade exchanges in the United States.

Why Trade at Art of Barter?

AOB transaction fee is simply 10% on purchases. Our competition charges MORE for Everything!

AOB does not charge you a monthly fee! Our competition charges a high monthly fee!

AOB was established by industry professionals 1991 and retains its original name and management team to this day.

AOB focuses its marketing and recruiting efforts strictly locally in Northeastern Illinois.

AOB does NOT charge extra for services such as promoting its members, booking travel, or mailing certificates.

AOB provides interest free barter loans to qualified Trading Partners.

Our sole focus is providing an economically advantageous exchange for our Trading Partners. We believe that higher fees (like higher taxes) put a drag on business. That is why we have not raised our fees in more than 15 years and have no intention of doing so now or in the foreseeable future. Art of Barter has no debt and we pay our bills on time.

We are proud to have the lowest fees in the barter industry! We want you to save money trading at Art of Barter. Having previously been major clients of numerous barter groups where we traded $2 million to $3 million annually, we know what it is like to be a client. We like being the only locally focused barter exchange in Illinois and we like knowing each one of our Trading Partners by name.

AOB attributes its success to our unique business model that puts the client first making us the client’s advocate. Your success is our success!


Ron Szekeres,
Founder & President


John Hora,
Vice President

Company History


Before founding the company in 1991, Art of Barter President, Ron Szekeres was a major client of the barter industry. As Director of Barter for Circle Fine Art Corporation (CFA) from 1982 to 1991, Ron traded more than $10 million in fine art work of museum collected artists. Under Ron's leadership, CFA became the largest clients of the barter industry. Not only did barter save CFA millions of dollars in cost of operations, it also created millions of dollars in new revenue.

With a business plan developed by Ron Szekeres, CFA formed Art of Barter, Inc. as a wholly owned subsidiary in November, 1991. The new company hired Marketing Consultant, John Hora to create its corporate image and marketing program. After completing an initial three month contract, John Hora joined the company full time as Director of Marketing in March, 1992. The company became profitable in its first year.

As Art of Barter grew and prospered, the associated requirements of a rapidly growing company made it apparent that Art of Barter would do better on its own rather than as a division of CFA. Coinciding with a re-organization of CFA, Art of Barter was acquired by Ron Szekeres and John Hora in February, 1995.

 

Exceptional Trade Examples

CLIENT TRADED FOR...
AMOUNT
Advertising Agency Interior Glass Entry and Exec. Doors
38,000
Advertising Program Inflight Magazines
48,000
Apartment Complex Replacement Windows
8,500
Art Gallery Landscaping Materials
8,500
Awning Company Ladders
3,000
Bottled Water Distributor P.R. and Marketing
15,000
Builder Ceramic Tile
16,000
Carpet Store Lincoln Town Car
8,000
Catering Service Dental Work
10,000
Cleaning Company Plumbing Supplies
5,000
D.J. Service Caribbean Cruise
3,500
Deli Awning
5,800
Die Cutter Chip Board
30,000
Electrician Blinds and Drapery's
10,000
Fabric Distributor Real Estate
10,000
Film Separations Annual Christmas Party
20,000
Florist Dental Work
6,000
Furrier Motorcycle
17,000
Gift Basket Company Bath/Kitchen Re-Tiled
6,000
Health Clinic Television Advertising
18,000
Hotel Architectural Metal Refinishing
25,000
Hotel Drapery Cleaning
18,000
Leather Retailer Advertising Campaign
50,000
Limousine Company 68' Mustang
6,000
Manufacturer European Vacation
16,000
Mailing Service Mailing Machine
12,000
Marketing Company Phone System
46,000
Messenger Service Ticket Printing
10,000
Painter Boat
40,000
Party Supply Store Built in Sound System
7,500
Personnel Service Hawaiian Vacation
3,000
Printer Electrical Work
7,000
Printer Iron Fence
26,000
Printer Land
25,000
Printer Film Separations
46,000
Printer Die Cutting
75,000
Printer In Floor Heating System
5,000
Radio Network Computers
12,000
Radio Station Ad Specialties/Tee Shirts
8,000
Restaurant Fine Art
40,000
Restaurant Brick Paved Driveway for residence
45,000
Restaurant Printing
38,000
Restaurant Wood Floor
19,000
Shopping Center New Roof
38,000
Vending Company Warehouse Floor Sealed
30,000
Woman's Apparel Retailer Fur Coat
7,800

References


Feel free to contact any of the following businesses regarding their experience trading with Art of Barter.

Allstar Auto Repair: Mark Smith, 815-337-2277
Landin Chiropractic: Dr. Dana Landin, 224-856-5617
David Kerstein, Attorney at Law: 847-205-4496
Lake Zurich Animal Hospital: Dr. Steve Pritkin, 847-438-3750
Saint Lucy's Eye Clinic: Dr. Joseph Mejhia, 708-507-6526
Underwater Worlds: Lisa Collins, 847-644-3681
Mark Neikrasz & Associates: Dr. Mark Neikrasz, 847-359-8886
Rocket Productions: Hector Perez, 312-431-1040
Enchanted Florist: David Lach, 708-827-5843
The People’s Choice: John Sarantakis, 847-336-5700
Chicago Media Guys: David Knoerr, 708-439-8601
Auto Express Care: Butch Canfield, 630-832-8844
A-Best Movers: Donna Mills, 815-459-0003
Glenn David Productions: Glenn Schroder, 815-582-3282
Alliance Graphics: Vince Christy, 224-305-1255
McBroom’s Cleaning: Robyn McBroom, 708-903-2799
Anderson Certified Cleaning: Dan Anderson, 312-617-2928
B.A.S.E. Productions: Jim Martin, 888-352-5837
Elgin Car Wash: Judith Colletti, 847-741-1144
Attorney Robert Shelist: 312-226-0675
Responsive Mailroom: Scot Hansen, 847-841-8400
Providence Bank & Trust: George J. Vand Werken, President, 219-961-8500
Providence Bank & Trust: George Caraballo, VP Regional Branch Manager, 708-656-0100