Barter route or Rolling Store Patrol

[Halcyon 23]

This is an excerpt from a conversation i had with a prepper buddy of mine.

He has a farm he inherited outside the MSA of the jungle i live near with beef cattle on the premises (they need less Supervision). He has starting o place a few preps on the premises as a possible BOL. Of course Bug-In is always preferable, but not always best in every circumstance. SO we were talking about how to obtain the things we need, and restart a local barter market or trade.

We have beef, guns , garden, and willingness, lots of beef

Now lots of people have canned goods, or rice, but fresh meat, they might have a hankering for fresh meat after a little while. And hunting is great but can be really dangerous, specially in that area if you get caught trespassing (read poaching) when people can't buy food; and some peole don't hunt.

We figured we'd slaughter a beef, can some, and dry a little, but hang the rest up in the trailer and head down the road.

We'd set up a barter list in a notebook, and write down everybodys needs and offers. Example
Sam has nails, and wants roofing tar
Bill has greens and wants decking screws
Angie makes soap, will take food or childrens clothing
Anna makes quilts for food, you can get your own quilr back with trade if you provide material
Bubba got relodin tools, will trade loads for hand tools
Billy has a backhow will trade sevices for diesel or shelf stable food
Achmed at the convenience store has batteries and lighters, will take cash, caned food , or trade (home canned OK)
Leroy has pigs, wants welding gas or corn
Susie has too many roosters, wants flour or baking soda

we disseminate the list and take trade ourselves for fresh meat
we'd accept as payment:
tabacker
canned goods, fresh produce
hand tools
clothing
fuel or alcohol (including diesel, kerosene, lamp oil, propane)
federal reserve notes in reduced value (probably 1/2)
hard money
cartridges or components

we go to the next location and let them look at what we got, and offer trade
Like a rolling store

To prevent security incidents we'd probably ride the route once under a white flag leaving broadsides announcements of what we intend to do and how to identify use. I would not include a time or day since it would make it too easy to waylay us.

I have kept in mind that many of these goods maybe controlled or deemed as "rationed" by the authorities and therefore we may be garroted, i mean arrested by the authorities nad charged with 'hoarding' while all our goods disappear into their collective trunks. There may also be travel restrictions.

Otherwise for security we would take four 'operators', our barter rounds would also be security patrols, help us locate, identify, and deter looters. Four allows us to have two trading and two guarding the caravan. Of the two rading only one talks or deals, the other is an inside security man, watching the Principals. The two on the vehicles have one oriented out at all times. My thoughts on how to organize a division of Labor are continued here (including incorporating new members) http://www.survivalistboards.com/showth ... post528237

Thoughts?

[Dornicus]

Other than my initial jaw-dropping "this is awesome", I'd ask: what do you have in mind as far as vehicles? Rickshaws? Diesel trucks? Something on rail lines? Horse-drawn carriage?

Love the idea, though. Reminds me of the Jawas in Star Wars. (Shut up. )

And your use of the word "broadsides" in its appropriate context as a one-sheet bill of notice garnered you points with me.

[Halcyon 23]

Other than my initial jaw-dropping "this is awesome", I'd ask: what do you have in mind as far as vehicles? Rickshaws? Diesel trucks? Something on rail lines? Horse-drawn carriage?
Love the idea, though. Reminds me of the Jawas in Star Wars. (Shut up. )

And your use of the word "broadsides" in its appropriate context as a one-sheet bill of notice garnered you points with me.

you're the first guy i'd sign up, although you might have to arm wrestle NorseSmithy for the job

Local route would be horse drawn (country area, half the route is related or lifelong acquaintance)
Swap-day in town would be diesel pulling trailer, and maybe stopping on the way in and back.

Push cart would be good in inner city or burbs, two guys pushing, two as pickets (six better) and trade out every half hour. I suppose yuo cold use shopping carts (raise quail or rabbits), but those Sam's club dollies would be better

[Dornicus]

You know, you could have the people along your route put up markers if they want you to stop by to pick up their list of trade goods and needs, or somesuch.

Then have a market day of sorts in town, I guess. You'd have to trust the townspeople not to rob your group at gunpoint. And if they try to, just tell them that there's a gasoline bomb in with the cargo; you'll set fire to who whole truck's worth of goods if they don't back off.

If the internet is still up, that'd definitely be a good organization tool.

How about a sandcrawler as a vehicle?

[Norsesmithy]

If we could get our hands on the fusion reactor in one of those babies, I think we could probably build and engineer a better chassis.

And that is if we don't decide that we could better use the generating/smelting capacity in a fixed location.

[Halcyon 23]

Then have a market day of sorts in town, I guess. You'd have to trust the townspeople not to rob your group at gunpoint. And if they try to, just tell them that there's a gasoline bomb in with the cargo; you'll set fire to who whole truck's worth of goods if they don't back off.
You know, you could have the people along your route put up markers if they want you to stop by to pick up their list of trade goods and needs, or somesuch.

That's a great idea

[suntzu]

I'd set up a depot on the eastern side of the state. Sort of a caravanserai. As far as the gypsy caravan, I'm thinking more along the lines of the trader in Wolf and Iron by Gordon R. Dickson. Course, you'd have to change your name to Tinker, and make knives, like in L'Amour's books, as well. Ever read The Walking Drum by L'Amour? Mainly about a caravan in the old days. One of my favorites growing up.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Walking_Drum

[EHAGG]

this is truely as awesome idea, my only question to you, is do you have what i couldn't live without? Nice cigars? other than that its a brilliant idea. maybe add a one or two more people to go prone a distance away as support, a sniper/spoter group.

[Halcyon 23]

this is truely as awesome idea, my only question to you, is do you have what i couldn't live without? Nice cigars? other than that its a brilliant idea. maybe add a one or two more people to go prone a distance away as support, a sniper/spoter group.

the Sniper roost would be up at a Swap day meet

need surveillance 24 or more hours ahead to keep soembody else from setting up

We actually store cigars, but not for trade
Many people survived yellow fever in the 1800s because of cigars or pipes. It was considered healthy for a gent to have a pipe or cigar daily. They didn't know it was insect repellent.

[Halcyon 23]

And that is if we don't decide that we could better use the generating/smelting capacity in a fixed location.

Home smelter link, does need a Newk, just propane and flower pots
http://www.survival.com/html/v19_-_bronze_2.html

[mikeellis]

For the smelter go over to http://www.lindsaybks.com/

Get a copy of Wolf and Iron from the library and read it, works on a lot of the same things you are working on now.

Start trading with your neighbors now, in a PAW, it's a lot harder to make new friends.

Garden carts make for good wagon as long as you have roads, they have some larger ones that you can attach to the back of a bicycle, but it's hardly a fighting platform.

[Halcyon 23]

I'd set up a depot on the eastern side of the state. Sort of a caravanserai. As far as the gypsy caravan, I'm thinking more along the lines of the trader in Wolf and Iron by Gordon R. Dickson. Course, you'd have to change your name to Tinker, and make knives, like in L'Amour's books, as well. Ever read The Walking Drum by L'Amour? Mainly about a caravan in the old days. One of my favorites growing up.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Walking_Drum

We're coming through
http://www.survivalistboards.com/showthread.php?t=45739

be aware, they may be in touch
http://www.survivalistboards.com/showthread.php?t=46276

and for your amusement
http://www.survivalistboards.com/showth ... ht=raiders

[suntzu]

"Uh, Breaker one-nine, this here's the Rubber Duck. You gotta copy on me Pig-Pen? C'mon."

[Halcyon 23]

"Uh, Breaker one-nine, this here's the Rubber Duck. You gotta copy on me Pig-Pen? C'mon."

That's a big ten four, we got the Dornicus down and the Norse up top running the plasma welder,
and razorsedge is braiding cubans

Sorry about your revenyour man, he wanted that tacks on the roll yuor own kartridges (i don't mean ink bro)

Mikey is nearly got him fileted to trade to the can- E-balls, cause you know MikeyE will eat anythin
but jeesh, it made Bard kind of excited

Them can-E-balls is hungry, ain't much good to eat round Oke ridj these days
lots of salvage glass though

Dux is cooking them possums we got
and Bluto is getting zero on his new .50 cal BMG (Beeg Mosin Gun)

Doc Simon is makin mad cash on the pills for the rash,
cause the boys spent last night in town

Firemoth got razorsedge cuttin cloth for the new pistoles he's cranking out

Wiley has go to pee, cause when you get old your prostrate gland makes it hard on these bumpy trails

The boys are arguing in the back sitting on the salvage

Beamshizzle says, "I am sooooo buying a pair of football shoulder pads and painting them black."

"Yeah, by all means, paint them black. Wouldn't want them to clash with your chaps and breechclout. You could save yourself some cash and just purchase a black studded leather speedo and hockey mask. There's also always the option of last resort, dye your hair blonde, put on a dog collar and leash, I'm sure Xring would totally give you a ride and look after you in exchange for help keeping his mohawk looking badass. If we end up in a Road Warrior type scenario I'm just going to build my fortune selling jeans in Barter Town like a black marketer in the old USSR. Who knew pants would be in such short supply in the PAW?

we gona make a caravan
running through the night
we gonna make a caravan
and we can really fight

Breaker 1-9
i think Rap just dropped his load of napalm
he'll be back to refill,
stir faster beeches

[mikeellis]

I would like to apologize to everyone not born in the 1970's, still it was cooler back then than you pussies dialing your cell phones while swerving across the highway.

http://www.cbgazette.com/slang.html

Over and out.

[Halcyon 23]

If we could get our hands on the fusion reactor in one of those babies, I think we could probably build and engineer a better chassis.

And that is if we don't decide that we could better use the generating/smelting capacity in a fixed location.

Here is another home smelting outfit
http://www.backyardmetalcasting.com/

[suntzu]

Here's one on making charcoal.

http://www.twinoaksforge.com/BLADSMITHI ... ARCOAL.htm

[Badkarma]

Love the idea.

I'd agree with some sort of scouting party. This would hopefully eliminate any unwarranted complications. 3 man group would work good. Sniper, spotter, and smooth talker. Send the smooth talker in to collect info and 'plant' seeds of trade to feel out the situation. Meanwhile scouter/sniper team is doing recon on the area looking for ambush sites and counter-attack locations. If people seem like they'd be interested, great. If they're hostile, the spotter/sniper team could report back and hopefully somehow 'extract' the smooth talker. I imagine most towns or people would be interested in trade though.

If you could, i think it would be worth it to have a smaller motor boat that you could use for insertion (drop of the scouts) or interception if need be (someone knocks out one of your guards and try's to steal your boat you'd have a way to get it back.) If trade was good, you could get another interceptor boat and keep building your trade commerce while further protecting it. Anyhow, just my two cents.

[Halcyon 23]

Love the idea.

I'd agree with some sort of scouting party. This would hopefully eliminate any unwarranted complications. 3 man group would work good. Sniper, spotter, and smooth talker. Send the smooth talker in to collect info and 'plant' seeds of trade to feel out the situation. Meanwhile scouter/sniper team is doing recon on the area looking for ambush sites and counter-attack locations. If people seem like they'd be interested, great. If they're hostile, the spotter/sniper team could report back and hopefully somehow 'extract' the smooth talker. I imagine most towns or people would be interested in trade though.

If you could, i think it would be worth it to have a smaller motor boat that you could use for insertion (drop of the scouts) or interception if need be (someone knocks out one of your guards and try's to steal your boat you'd have a way to get it back.) If trade was good, you could get another interceptor boat and keep building your trade commerce while further protecting it. Anyhow, just my two cents.

This simlar to what we have in mind, only two will make the approach, one seems to easy to take adavanatage of. One a second meet, two more wil be required to keep security on the caravan and one of those focused on the away orientation.

We'd only use that set up if we had two back at he base camp on security also

[mikeellis]

Don't approach, go in sight of the place where you want to trade and wait, well away from the front door, I'm talking like 400 meters, in plain sight of the house with weapons shouldered. Probably a large clearly lettered sign with what you want to be setup as well, something like TRADE or BLACKSMITH

[Halcyon 23]

Don't approach, go in sight of the place where you want to trade and wait, well away from the front door, I'm talking like 400 meters, in plain sight of the house with weapons shouldered. Probably a large clearly lettered sign with what you want to be setup as well, something like TRADE or BLACKSMITH

+1, i got the 400 m. stand off, but people with eyes like mine wouldn't be able to read the sign

A really good hunter might hit that shot anyway. I figure 200 m. and min. exposure, one guy, CCW only (less threatening) backed by sniper and rifleman; now on our intital route, we are known to half the households (they wold even recognize the vehicles), that should help initially

[Halcyon 23]

I've got a new spin on the rolling trading post cum Intel operation.

Bring raw materials to people who can do useful work, for a cut of finished trade goods.

Locate and catalog raw materials while enroute.

Here is a list of occupations we'd want to find to add to this effort
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=14986&hilit=skills

Thanks to Dornicus for doing that work, +1

[togadude]

Great idea. I like the boat idea as well. Maybe set up a river barge as a sort of floating marketplace and ply the river. Interesting stuff I say!