Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
TradeCircle is designed to create local microeconomies where work, not just money, can circulate with trust, flexibility, and certainty.
Buying Services
How do I buy services on TradeCircle?
You start by selecting the type of service you need. TradeCircle matches you with a qualified local provider based on skill fit, availability, location, and trust factors.
What payment options can I use?
Depending on availability and agreement, you may pay using any combination of cash, TradeCircle credits, and in-kind labor.
Selling Services
How do I sell services on TradeCircle?
You list the services you actively offer. TradeCircle matches you with buyers one-to-one or in limited groups, helping reduce bidding wars and lead-chasing.
Do I have to accept TradeCircle credits?
In some cases, yes. TradeCircle credits are issued only when real work is completed and are backed by enforceable service obligations recorded within the system.
Buyer / Seller Matching
Why one-to-one or limited matching?
TradeCircle avoids open bidding and endless browsing. Instead, we limit matches to the best available providers to reduce friction, pricing pressure, and wasted time.
How does matching work?
Matching is rule-based and non-competitive, using service requirements, compensation preferences, proximity, and trust signals to form stable local microeconomies.
What is a “Trade Circle”?
A Trade Circle is a small, local microeconomy formed when multiple members are connected through overlapping service needs and offerings.
For example, one member may provide services to a second member, who provides services to a third, and so on — forming a closed loop (A -> B -> C -> A) where value circulates without requiring full cash payment at each step.
TradeCircle identifies and manages these connections automatically to reduce cash requirements while maintaining fairness and certainty.
How do I join a Trade Circle?
To become part of a Trade Circle, you must be an active buyer and seller of services. If TradeCircle detects that a circular buyer/seller relationship exists among two or more users, then those users will be notified that they have entered into a Trade Circle, thus enabling all of them to reduce their cash requirements.
Payment Methods: Cash, Credits, & Labor
What are TradeCircle credits?
TradeCircle credits are a system-managed way to store and transfer service value when timing or skill mismatches make direct exchange impractical.
- 1 TradeCircle credit equals $1 of service value
- Credits are issued only when a service is completed and confirmed
- Credits are fungible within TradeCircle and may be used for services or approved rewards
- Credits are never issued without an equivalent service obligation recorded in the system
- Credits represent enforceable value inside the TradeCircle marketplace
How do I earn TradeCircle credits?
You earn TradeCircle credits when you agree to accept in-kind labor as a form of the payment for providing a service. You will receive the credits only after your service is completed and confirmed, and they represent real service value that will be delivered later within the TradeCircle marketplace.
Can I convert TradeCircle credits to cash?
TradeCircle credits are designed to be used inside the marketplace for services (or approved rewards). This keeps the system simple, stable, and focused on local exchange.
What is in-kind labor?
In-kind labor means paying for a service by committing your own skills and time instead of cash. To offer in-kind labor, you must have an actively advertised service on TradeCircle.
How are in-kind labor obligations enforced?
When in-kind labor is used, TradeCircle records a service obligation equal to the labor value and issues the same amount in TradeCircle credits to the provider after the job is completed.
Until that obligation is fulfilled, TradeCircle may require the buyer to accept credits as payment for future services. This helps ensure credits are backed by real, deliverable work.
What if someone doesn’t fulfill a service obligation?
TradeCircle may apply time-based limits and alternative settlement mechanisms to keep the marketplace fair and liquid. Depending on the situation, this can include charging a saved payment method, restricting marketplace privileges, or using other system rules to close the loop on unresolved obligations.
How does TradeCircle prevent abuse?
TradeCircle is designed to limit risk by controlling when credits can be issued and who can offer in-kind labor. In-kind labor may be limited to members with an actively advertised service, sufficient history, and trust signals, and the platform may cap how much in-kind value a member can carry at one time.
How are disputes handled for in-kind labor?
TradeCircle uses documented service scopes, completion confirmations, and platform history to help resolve disputes. If a dispute occurs, TradeCircle may pause credit issuance or redemption related to that obligation until the issue is resolved.