29YearOld Better Than Barter Los Angelesbased Club Offers Trial Membership



May 27, 2005 -- Free for all The Skills Pool, an Internet-based services co-op with members in and around Los Angeles, now offers a two-week trial membership at no charge. Trial members get a further advantage, in the form of a 20% discount off the $49 first-year fee, should they join during the trial period.

Since 1975 the innovative group has operated as a skills bank for members to share services like legal work, hypnotherapy, high-end haircuts, and computer help. What sets it apart from other organizations is that the services are all free to members: unlike a barter club, it does not even use credits! Once you join, you're encouraged to use as many services as you want, even if nobody's using what you offer.

Free for all's hundreds of services cover the gamut of useful tasks -- professional, technical, creative, domestic, and blue-collar. Anything useful is welcome, as long as it's offered without charge. (Out-of-pocket expenses are paid by the receiving member.)

Currently available services include driving (for errands, doctor appointments, car repair etc.), massage, pro tennis instruction, piano lessons, and personal chef service. There's also a dental plan that's free to members, and three-day vacation packages throughout the country at an incredible $10.00.

According to founder/administrator Richard Johnson, "The Free for all way of meeting one's needs is much friendlier that the usual buying and selling. Besides saving money, you can also meet a lot of great people!" Johnson says that members easily make up the $49 membership fee using just a couple of services.

Full information, including a rundown of available services and a registration form, may be viewed at the club's website, http://theskillspool.org.





29YearOld Better Than Barter Los Angelesbased Club Offers Trial Membership