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.
The gifts would be in complete replacement of monetary donations, not in addition.
Any opinions?
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.
Take the money. 
Gift cards are great-these can often be blended in with sales promotional items and reimbursed on an expense report! Sweet !
...just to make more to do it all again! 
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.
Personally speaking, I get skiddish when a paper trail starts linking me with a provider. And using my credit card, real name, and billing address to buy a coffee table seems to start on that path. Some guys won't have a problem with it, but I'd bet most of them would opt not to.
I say to give it a shot, it doesn't hurt anything to have a wish list out there even if no one takes you up on it. I'd say to be careful with the gift cards though, anyone can hand over a Pottery Barn card and say it's worth $500, will you call cust svc to check the balance prior to the session? As a bonus gift, it's a nice treat, but I'd be skeptical if someone wants to use that for the donation.
... you two can say you're married when you get caught. Then the 4 toasters and coffee table look like wedding gifts.
Perfect!
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!
I've had several docs bring Botox and Juviderm to my incall and inject me after we played. It was a win/win...same with an Attorney or any other number of clients who are in a position to provide me wth something I already have need of. I would never barter for stupid shit, that does not even equal my rate...what is the point?
If you are going to barter, do it for stuff that is actually beneficial and expensive...like cars, cosmetic surgery, stocks, hotel points, and airline miles, that you will certainly use for this business. I even had a guy offer the new Ipad, but that was not exactly a deal for me considering they are only worth about 500 and my rate was 7 at the time. You have to be careful with how you word it, or you will get a slew of idiots trying to barter for peanuts. Had another guy offer me a year's supply of freaking coffee ha ha. Um, ok.
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.
Nobody's ever tried to barter w/me. But I do have those clients who give me stuff I didn't ask for, want, or need, and then basically expect tons of extra time and favors. Which is kinda similar.
For a newer model Roadtrek 190 Popular!
No one seems to think I mean it, and no serious offers so far.
*bummer* lol
Really though, like you say it would have to be something that I already really want, and that I woudlnt / couldn't so easily just go out and buy myself, otherwise, Id rather get my rate and...just go out and buy it myself
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?
A guy gives you an $800 gift card in lieu of .... $800. ???
The only way it makes sense is if you find a guy who has access to (thing) at a reduced price; the (thing) being something you really want or need... so you both make out.
Or, bartering for a service can work sometimes. But if you are smart, you are getting your (service) first; and if he is smart, he's getting his (service) first. One of you has to be a dummy for this to work 
If it makes you FEEL good to receive an expensive gift, then by all means do it. Just watch out for the slew of guys that London mentions who will be looking to trade baseball cards or a rusty 1971 Chevy Impala!
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.
I have found it to be very useful -
Gift cards just need a receipt with them.
And I prefer the person check in advance to see what I need - a specific bill paid, groceries, etc.
Also I love to see those that perform services - like a mechanic, vet (I have a black lab), dentist, doctor or something similar is always beneficial.
Those are always a win/win situation.
Your best bet is discuss it with the provider you are interested in and see if it is something you can both come to an agreement on
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].
And, end of day, compensation is compensation. All of the legalities are still there
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.
