Leopards and spots I fear - although this company has NO followers yet, (here) I would like to remind readers that this company has come a long way from earlier times and different businesses:
It started as A H Ball - pipelaying in the West country
then they thought fencing (Langley and Johnson) was a better business.
Then the Internet started to errupt - so they became Medi@invest - the use of a number/odd-character is a No 1 alarm signal it seems as these shares climbed and fell dramatically.
Then as the @ became a real problem they thought about repairing TV's and shifted reconditioned units - Universal Direct -
Obviously this was a further waste of investor's money and a new scheme was found ( er, they were running the business during this time in exemplary fashion).
The new business was/is Bartercard [BRTR] the exact purpose of which escapes me at the moment, but let's hope they are shifting all the stock they have built-up running these businesses. Who knows? maybe we'll get a chance of seeing the Directors at an AGM - should be good to see if they are wearing the same AHB suits, let's fsace it they can have worn them out actually "working", so some cost-saving should be identifyable.
Grr.

Sadly I'm in this dog too and just about given up hope of ever recovering my cash! I think they now run a system of goods or service exchange where no money changes hands, business signs up to it and presumably exchanges with another business.quite how BRTR make money I don't know!

They don't - unless they issue a thousand bartercards and corner the Market in old dinner plates. The purpose of such businesses is to keep the Directors off the streets - as long as there is cash - they can be paid. Has the company any cash or credit left? Company car a battered old Morris Minor, might get something on eBay. Ho Ho
Such is the business I doubt anyone here has heard of them (on the Barter side) who/what they do must be pretty quiet.
It's surprising they haven't had their collars felt by the FSA - but then being savaged by a dead sheep is only a laughing matter.
Glad to know I'm not alone. ((or are YOU the last remaining Director? - Be a good'un and switch orf the Light when you leave))

++This new (5 July05) BB lost my earlier General msg - Where's the improvement? Why the change? etc.

Missed the Bartercard agm in leafy Richmond, Surrey ( can't they find London?), but a few days later I read here that there are some changes a-foot with directors leaving the sinking ship....(see RNS)...
Wouldn't it be nice to think that soon, shareholder interests were on the agenda?
Sorry to learn you are also holding, but unlikely to sell now as Dealing charges are signicicant proportion. Oh dear, Oh dear.

I am a bit more optimistic on this one - in fact, very optimistic - nothing but good news over the past few months - UK trade doubled last month - selling new international licences every few weeks - took in 1.5 million usd on licences to Syria / Saudi and one UK branch last month - China licence on the way - 23 franchises already in UK with a further 130 areas available and then on to Europe ... a bagger from 14p in my view - hopefully multi. DYOR.

http://www.thefranchisemagazine.net/franchise/Bartercard/The-Smart-Business-Opportunity/97

Australian Trade Show Success

RNS Number:0810F
Bartercard plc
23 June 2006


Bartercard Plc
("Bartercard" or "the company")


Australian Trade Show Success


In a world record performance over 350 Bartercard members exhibited at a
Bartercard trade show at Brisbane's RNA showground last weekend. More than 3,100
visitors, including members' family and guests, visited the show, undertaking
7,500 transactions worth a total of over A$5.2 million.

"An outstanding result, almost 300% increase on the previous record of A$ 1.8
million based on a new structure and plan for these events. As a result we
intend now to replicate this in every major city in Australia before November,
and in future, hoping to generate an additional annual trade volume of over A$50
Million per year. Bartercard UK is hosting a trade show next Thursday night at
Twickenham Stoop, and although we won't break any world records we do hope for a
UK record. Future trade shows in the UK will follow the format set by this
record Australian event, hopefully with similar financial effect" says
Bartercard Chairman Wayne Sharpe

23 June 2006

11p mid, so ... It's a pity Events don't confirm your hopes ... now we learn BRTR has to cut itself open with an investigative sword - that can't be good for the soul of the company...although over time it may produce some surprising results.....but don't hold yr breath.....
Meanwhile this IS becomming a buying opportunity for those ...with nerves of steel. but I'll need a good discount to today's price....so how about 10p inc charges anyone?

How about "Put your money elsewhere?"

I see it differently - previous Directors tried to shaft the company and Bartercard are being as upfront as possible by reporting them to authorities ... clearing the way for approaching Institutions ... every month they are breaking new turnover records and selling new Franchises ... sold the Irish Franchise today:

RNS Number:4414F
Bartercard plc
30 June 2006

Bartercard Plc
("Bartercard" or "the company")



Bartercard in Ireland to accelerate UK growth



Bartercard Plc has sold the licence for Ireland for Euro550,000 (US$690,000)to
Sibling Industries Pty Ltd., an Australian company owned by an Irish-born family
with business interests in both countries. The Australian side of this family
has been involved with Bartercard for more than eleven years and has seen how
successful it has been.

Eammon Farrell, Managing Director of Sibling Industries, stated he was excited
about the prospects of Bartercard in the Irish market and confident businesses
in Ireland will enthusiastically embrace the Bartercard concept.



Operations would commence early in 2007.



Ireland has the fourth-highest GDP (based on PPP) per capita in the world after
Luxembourg, Norway and the United States of America.



Bartercard did not any new license sales in 2005 however the Qatar and Turkey
licenses were sold in 2006 for a total of US$ 1 million. This brings the 2007
total so far to US$ 1.64 million.

Commenting on the Ireland deal, Wayne Sharpe, Executive Chairman, said, "The
sale of the Irish license, following the recent license sales of Saudi Arabia
and Syria, is a fantastic result, given that we are still in the first quarter
of the current financial year.



As a natural trading partner for Britain, Ireland is a perfect environment for
Bartercard to develop, similar to New Zealand's relationship in Australia
(despite 3 hours flying time between them).Bartercard New Zealand currently pays
Bartercard approximately A$500,000 per year in service license fees, from a
market of only 3.5 million population. Ireland's population is nearly identical
to that of New Zealand, and the physical proximity to England ( with a
population 3 times that of Australia) means the trading potential between
Bartercard UK and the Ireland, and subsequent revenue for Bartercard, is
obvious.



Ireland may also provide a valuable stepping stone into Continental Europe,
owing to its participation in the Euro currency."

Another Licence sold:

Sale of licence for Greece

RNS Number:8856G
Bartercard plc
28 July 2006

Bartercard Plc
("Bartercard" or "the Company")


Sale of licence for Greece

Bartercard has sold the licence for Greece. The licence was sold for Euro550,000
cash to a partnership including a Bartercard member from Australia.

Bartercard already has licences operating in Cyprus and Turkey, nearby.

Training for the foundation management team for this new licence and
commencement of operations is expected within the next 6 months.

Wayne Sharpe, Chairman of Bartercard, commented:

"This brings the total licence sales since 31 March to almost US#2.4m, which is
an increase of almost 150% on the last financial year (US$1M). Since March,
licences have been sold in Saudi Arabia, Syria and Ireland."
END of RNS


... and from a post on another BB -


So the Brokers Note forecasts Licence / Franchise fees of 1283000 for 2006 / 2007 ...

I make this about $2.4 million US dollars - Precisely the amount that they have already earned in the first 4 months since April ... Not bad!

I spoke to the guy that did the research and he said they had taken a conservative view ...

Also of interest to me from the BN was this: " What we know from this is that Bartercards systems and business model work in Australia.
The business has also proven very successful for Australian franchisees, many of who are now multi-millionaires."

Starting to move now.

Well, it looks like there will be plenty of Stock to snap-up ( you can Barter a dead sheep with).
This business has had a nasty Whif about it for too long (over six years, as described in my first post).....and rather puts another nail in the coffin for Aus business acumen.

What's odd is that MoneyAM is still showing the company at a significant Mkt Cap...maybe that will be corrected, I dunno.
I don't think this business is worth a couple of beans.
Todat saw Aerobox fall into a deep abys.......again noting surprising if you have followed it fall from grace.....seemed a daft idea to me....along with Supercart - which has the saving grace that the trolly could be coloured to advertise the supermarket......but all in plastic - Ugh.

Why are these business allowed to sucker in hard-earned private investors savings - is no-one out there?

Could be an interesting play at this level.

Up 33% as I type and two trades at 6p just gone through although they do look like a rollover why at 6p ?

Looks like it's trying to push higher again this morning.

Did that just drop 10% on a 10K sell ?

L2 4 v 1

Well with this buying at 4p thought it may have moved higher by now. L2 is 3 v 1 and next offer is 4.5p

"For the first time in our history every operational business unit is performing above, at or close to its peak"

http://www.bartercard.com/uk/page.asp?2365=501446&E_Page=208703&grandparentcategory=130371&parentcategory=501446&contentID=501446


Trading Update

21/09/2006

Bartercard PLC



Trading Update



Bartercard PLC will be announcing its results for the year ended 30 June 2006 on 29 September.



Trading since the year end had been strong. Bartercard UK (BCUK) had trade volume of T5,171,677 in July, the first time it has exceeded T5million. This was exceeded again in August with trade volume of T5,487,051, up 66% on August 2005. August is traditionally a quiet month.



In Bartercard Australia (BCA)), the trading result at A$46.3m in August was the second best ever and just A$1.8m short of an all time August record. By August, almost 10% of all transactions in BCA were being done via EFTPOS terminals (launched with four major banks earlier this year), which now total over 1,680 and is resulting in substantial savings in administration costs. Australian new member sales are also up almost 10% on last year for the same period.



Bartercard charges a 5.5% cash fee on every trade transaction to the buyer and seller.



License sales in Bartercard International (BCI) have exceeded all previous years, and results from the new Bartercard Real Estate (BCRE) company in the UK are ahead of original expectations. Bartercard Plc owns 100% of BCA, BCUK, BCRE and BCI





"For the first time in our history every operational business unit is performing above, at or close to its peak"



Executive Chairman, Wayne Sharpe, commented.

Not much interest in this stock, here, but FWIW I read yr cpost Moneyman and if true, the notion they charge the "Buyer and seller 5.5%" is just dumb - the seller will increase his price to allow for this greedy charge so it is the Buyer that forks out an extra c.11% - are there no alternatives, I wonder? Surely with that profit, many other supliers of Plastic will be looking to wipe them out.
As to the levels being close to all-time high - - - -well just how high was that?
If the earlier levels were pretty low, then there is no need to get excited.
This co has been in several guises since well before 1999 - and you know, I think each one has resulted in more loss of shareholder value - it's as though they are grossly incompetant at whatever they turn their hand to - better to have stayed with the pipe-laying methinks.

All IMHO, so DYOR please!

Finally: Can someone explain just how the "Bartercard" works? Is it here in the UK - & why don't I see it? (etc.)...Is it scheme to avoid paying VAT? I admit it, I have failed to get a grip on this Venture and wonder if I'm missing a multi-bagger, albeit one that's so slow no-one (here) notices.

BRTR-Shares appear to be Suspended - is this... temporary?....(since October 2006.?)

Well "...It's all over Now..." -as the song goes.
BRTR is to be taken private and anyone with fewer than 1000 shares will be deemed not to be a member of the (new?) company.

Well Jolly Good Show I say...it's just a pity that we investors were allowed to be cheated out of our investment by a bunch of n'er-do-wells that thought they knew how many beans make five ( er, that three and a slip of paper, mate).
Where were the likes of the FSA?....down the pub drinking with Marconi execs....Grr! ( I see Steve Mayo has been exonerated by the FSA - Well that's allright, then.)
At the current sp of 5p to buy, you'd have to have 50+ to stay in this "game" and frankly the nuit-ladies of Richmond would put up a better deal for that amount of dosh.
This business has had many guises, each more slipery than the last, until it has finally keeled over and I suspect the Dir's will runn off with whatever is left....they should Never Work Again, so I hope they invest it wisely and leave the nuit-ladies to those who appreciate the finer things in life.........I believe I've been invested in this string of slime for ten years - and No, there never was a good time to get out (except during the first week of the Dot-Com boom, when I could have bought a moderately decent 1-yr old car with the profit.)....Ho! Ho! that shows how dumb I was, I suppose...

R.I.P. "Bartercard"..... or whatever named-stone you crawl under next.