I've recently been considering the idea of gifts instead of monetary donations, at least for some of the times when I do this. Is this something that would seem weird? I enjoy doing this and if it were to work I would certainly enjoy things like gift cards or for example, I'm moving to a bigger apartment and will need some cool furniture. Or even experiences like shopping or an expensive bottle of whiskey, lingerie, etc.

Why not get yourself gift cards with the money?

Have you ever gotten married with a full reception? You get 100 toaster ovens, 16 sets of flatware and a dishwasher.

It's not a weird idea, but it might be too tricky to do fairly. Unless you had some things in mind that had a comparable value to your established rate, it's more likely that you'll continue to get envelopes of cash.

Gift cards are great-these can often be blended in with sales promotional items and reimbursed on an expense report!  Sweet !

Only doctors, dentists, car dealers, mechanics, etc. are who I care to barter with, because those things are what I would spend money on anyway. I can't even remember the last time I paid for anything cosmetic, but with my move, I am starting over!  

A Pandora's box, so why open it. It seems to me that it can only complicates what is a very simple transaction ( cash and carry - so to speak). Sooner or later some one is going to get the short end of the transaction. Maybe that Botox injection is actually salt water - who knows

Nope, not for me. It has always worked out better actually, because guys stick around to collect.

Altho for me, a year's supply of coffee just might actually equal $700. LOL. While I would've gladly taken a mechanic's barter offer today (just had work done), I usually don't need one...I'd have to get like TEN oil changes before we even reached my OLD 1-hour rate.  

You want a lounge chair worth $800, your rate for 2 hours is $800, some guy buys you the chair.
Why not charge him $800 and buy the chair?

For a newer model Roadtrek 190 Popular!
No one seems to think I mean it, and no serious offers so far.
*bummer* lol

I have found it to be very useful -  

If my rate is even on the low end of say 400, he is getting it for 150, and I would normally have to pay 650 in the office, so we both make out...same with anything else like laser hair removal or fillers. These services have a 2 and 300 percent mark up rate in the office, but the docs know they can barter with us and still come out ahead. They spend 150 and get a 400 dollar date, and the provider saves a shit load as well. Works with cars too. They don't pay nearly as much for them as they sell them for...duh, so with a SD type deal, easily done. Mechanic for a luxury car, is not cheap so I like to have one of those around lol.

...just to make more to do it all again!

... you two can say you're married when you get caught. Then the 4 toasters and coffee table look like wedding gifts.

t why leave your compensation up for interpretation? Take your donation in $ and turn that into whatever 'gift' you want it to be. You can't turn an expensive bottle of whisky or lingerie into a payment to [fill in the blank].

Bitcoin is even better than cash for hobbyists and providers.  It's the perfect "currency" for this hobby of ours, as it allows transactions to be nearly anonymous.

Several of the smarter providers I know are now accepting it in lieu of $$, or even providing a slightly preferential rate for Bitcoin.

If anyone wants to know more, PM me.

Perfume would not be something I would fk for...sorry, but no lol. I barter for "services" not stuff. Like everyone else said, you can buy stuff on your own, but when someone is around to offer you a service they can save money on by doing, and you come out ahead as well, it's a win/win. Drugs, shoes, and clothes? Ha...as if, though I have heard of many providers who will blow a guy for dumb shit like that.