24 Hour Authorizations: 919.469.5548 | BBE Office: 919.469.5538

How Does BBE Work

How does BBE work?


BBE will refer new customers to your company. The new customers we send will pay for your products and services with barter dollars that you can use with any other participating businesses in the barter network. BBE acts as a referral service and as your banker. BBE keeps a record of all sales and purchases for you on a monthly statement. It is no more difficult than having a second checking account.
 

How do I contact the BBE employees?


Find all of our contact information in our BBE Team Section or contact us via our convenient Contact form.

How do I know who to contact in the BBE office?


For all referrals and new client requests, contact the Sales Director via email or call (919) 796-6767.  For billing, contact the Office Manager via email or call (919) 469-5538. For travel, contact the Travel Broker via email or call (919) 469-5538. For all other barter inquires, contact the Barter Brokers via email or call (919) 469-5538.
 


What is a barter card?


A barter card is a printed plastic card issued for identification purposes only. Client must have a barter card in order to make a purchase. Barter cards issued to client's account shall remain the property of BBE and must be returned upon demand. Client is solely responsible for all charges made on barter cards issued to client's account. BBE is not responsible for use of barter cards by unauthorized persons. The individual signing the BBE Trading Policies and Procedures as well as any individual using a barter card personally guarantee any transaction as well as any cash service fees that may have occurred as a result of such transaction. Barter cards are issued to all authorized barter cardholders listed on the client Application and Agreement free of charge. All requests for additional barter cards must be in writing and signed for by the client. Additional barter cards for new authorized barter cardholders are free of charge. Clients will be charged a ten dollar cash fee for each replacement barter card.
 

How do I pay with barter?


Most clients accept a 3-part form for payment but some clients only accept scrip, gift certificates, or gift cards. In the BBE Marketplace "Notes" it will clearly state the type of payment accepted by that client.
 

What is a 3-part form?


A 3-part form is the form that sellers complete to document a barter sale – it’s very similar to a credit card form. The sellers will have the 3-part forms at their location.
 

How do I process a transaction on a 3-part form to record a barter sale?


For all barter sales, it is the seller’s responsibility to complete and process a 3-part form. Enter the buyer’s business name and account number, which will be indicated on their barter card. Enter the seller’s (your) business name and account number. Enter in the date of sale. Enter a short description of the purchased products and services. Enter in the total amount of the transaction minus the sales tax, which is to be paid in cash by the buyer to the seller. Have the buyer sign the slip. If the buyer is not present, write “phone order” and mail the slip to the buyer for the signature. The buyer’s signature acknowledges satisfactory receipt of the products and services described and authorizes BBE to debit the buyer’s account in accordance with the BBE Trading Policies and Procedures. The seller is responsible for getting a BBE authorization number by calling the BBE office at (919) 469-5538, calling the 24-hour phone line at (919) 469-5548, or by entering the authorization online in the BBE Marketplace prior to releasing the products and services. Once the authorization is processed, the barter dollars are removed from the buyer’s account. Each business day, all authorized transactions are reviewed for data entry errors and posted in the seller’s account. The seller is responsible for mailing the top white copy of the 3-part form to BBE. The middle yellow copy is for the seller’s records. The bottom pick copy is for the buyer’s records.
 

What is scrip?


Scrip is a universal gift certificate that can be used for barter payment at participating BBE restaurants, golf courses, and establishments that sell food. Scrip is only to be used for payment at these types of establishments. All other barter transactions are to be paid with the standard 3-part form, gift certificates and/or gift cards.
 

How does scrip work?


Restaurants and golf courses only accept scrip for payment. They do not accept 3-part forms for payment. All scrip must be ordered from the BBE office. You must make reservations to eat at the upscale restaurants on Saturday evenings or if you are planning to bring six or more guests. Be sure to tell them you will be paying with BBE scrip when you make your reservation. Before you order your meal, it is important to identify yourself as a BBE member who will be paying with scrip. Scrip comes in denominations of $5, $10, and $20. Customers will not receive change from scrip. If the total bill is $23.89, the customer may pay $20 in scrip and $3.89 in cash or pay $25 in scrip. Tax and tip are always paid in cash. When tipping, please tip at least 15% or greater in cash. BBE reserves the right to refuse to sell scrip to clients who have previously refused to pay the proper taxes and gratuities or have created other problems at the dining establishments. The back of the scrip will have Maurya Lane’s signature, a BBE authorization number, and an expiration date. Customers must sign the back of their scrip on the signature of bearer line in the upper right hand corner when the scrip is used. If scrip is used for payment at any other establishment that is not on the scrip list, then the BBE office reserves the right to terminate client’s membership.
 

How do I find out what restaurants and golf courses are accepting scrip for payment?


To have a current list of restaurants and golf courses accepting scrip for payment emailed or mailed to you, please call BBE at (919) 469-5538 or request a list via email. To view a scrip list online, log into the BBE Marketplace. On the left hand side, click on the category “Gift Cards / Certificates & Scrip” and then click the sub-category “BBE Scrip” to view the complete list of eating establishments and golf courses that are accepting scrip for payment.
 

How do I purchase scrip?


Scrip can only be purchased from the BBE office. To order scrip, call BBE at (919) 469-5538, email your scrip request, or order scrip online in the BBE Marketplace.

To order scrip online, log into the BBE Marketplace. On the left hand side, click on the category "Gift Cards / Certificates & Scrip" and then click the sub-category "BBE Scrip" to view the complete list of eating establishments and golf courses that accept scrip for payment. Click the "read more" description in the BBE Marketplace for any of the businesses listed to order scrip. Remember scrip is a universal git certificate that is valid at all of the restaurants and golf courses listed. Scroll down and select the quantity and denominations that you wish to purchasee. Click "Update Cart" and then click on the shopping cart icon on the top of the BBE Marketplace web page. The shopping cart icon can also be found in the blue box in on the upper left hand corner. Click "Check Out" and complete the simple form. Your scrip order will be processed by BBE on the next business day. When you receive your scrip, the buyer must sign the enclosed form and return it to the BBE office in the enclosed envelope.
 

What happens if my scrip is lost, stolen, or expired?


Once scrip is purchased, it cannot and will not be replaced if lost, stolen, or damaged. Scrip should be used as soon as possible after it is purchased, and must be used before the expiration date. BBE will not extend expiration dates and/or buy back scrip that is expired.
 

What happens if a business refuses to accept scrip for payment?


Please contact the BBE office immediately if a business refuses to accept scrip for payment. Before you place your order, always identify yourself as a BBE client who will be paying with scrip. BBE is not responsible if a business refuses to accept scrip and BBE will not make restitution for any cash charges that client may incur. All disputes concerning the use of scrip are between the client and the business. BBE bears no liability in the event the issuing business refuses to honor the scrip.
 

How do gift cards and gift certificates work?

 

Gift cards and gift certificates work the same way as normal gift cards and gift certificates except clients are responsible for paying taxes and gratuities for all services purchased with gift cards and gift certificates in cash. Gift cards and gift certificates are not redeemable for cash.
 

How do I view the available inventory for gift cards and gift certificates?


Log into the BBE Marketplace. On the left hand side, click on the category "Gift Cards / Certificates & Scrip” and then click the sub-category "Gift Cards" or "Gift Certificates" to view the complete list of gift cards and gift certificates for sale.
 

How do I buy gift cards and gift certificates?


Unless otherwise stipulated in the BBE Marketplace, all gift cards and gift certificates are sold from the BBE office. Clients can call the BBE office at (919) 469-5538 to order gift cards and gift certificates or order them online by using the shopping cart in the BBE Marketplace. If a company sells gift cards or gift certificates at their business location, under the “Notes” section of their company description in the BBE Marketplace, it will state the procedures for ordering gift cards and/or gift certificates from their business location.

To order gift cards and gift certificates online, log into the BBE Marketplace. On the left hand side, click on the category “Gift Certificates and Scrip” and then click “Gift Cards” or “Gift Certificates” to view the complete list of available inventory. Click “read more” for the desired business. Scroll down and select the quantity and denominations that you wish to purchase. Click “Update Cart” and then click on the shopping cart icon on the top of the BBE Marketplace web page. The shopping cart icon can also be found in the blue box in on the upper left hand corner. Click “Check Out” and complete the simple form. Your gift card / gift certificate order will be processed by BBE on the next business day. All gift cards and gift certificates are non-refundable.
 

What happens if my gift cards or gift certificates are lost, stolen, or expired?


Once gift cards or gift certificates are purchased, they cannot and will not be replaced if lost, stolen, or damaged. Gift cards and gift certificates should be used as soon as possible after they are purchased, and must be used before their expiration date. BBE will not extend expiration dates and/or buy back gift cards or gift certificates that are expired.
 

What happens if a business refuses to accept gift cards or gift certificates for payment?


If a business refuses to accept a gift card or gift certificate, immediately contact the BBE office. BBE is not responsible if a business refuses to gift certificates or gift cards and BBE will not make restitution for any cash charges that client may incur. All disputes concerning the use of a gift cards and gift certificates are between the client and the business issuing the gift cards and gift certificates. BBE bears no liability in the event the issuing business refuses to honor the gift cards and gift certificates or ceases to operate the business.
 

How can I sell gift cards and gift certificates?


BBE will only purchase gift certificates and gift cards on a consignment basis only. It is the seller’s responsibility to provide BBE with the actual gift cards and/or gift certificates. The gift certificates and gift cards must clearly state all restrictions such as “tax and gratuities are not included on barter.” Contact the BBE office if you would like to sell gift certificates or gift cards on barter.
 

How do I pay for gratuities on barter?


All gratuities owed for services received from restaurants, caterers, beauty salons, nail salons, massage therapists, limousine services, and such must be paid in cash. It is never appropriate to pay for gratuities owed with barter dollars and/or scrip.
 

What is a debit card?


A debit card is a pre-paid barter card. It works like a pre-paid visa card. Clients have a specific barter dollar amount transferred from their main barter account onto the debit card and they pre-pay the cash transaction fees owned for the barter dollars issued to the debit card. On the front of the client's barter card, it will state that the client has a "Pre-Paid Debit Card”. The trade procedure for both the selling client and the buying client is the same as a normal trade account. These accounts are used for BBE employees, client sub-accounts, clients who are closing their account with BBE, and members of other barter exchanges that are spending within the BBE trade network. BBE reserves the right to deny the sale of a pre-paid debit card to any person for any reason.

 

Why would I buy a debit card?


A debit card is a great way to give your employees, family members, and friends BBE barter dollars to spend without giving them access to your barter account.

 

How does a debit card work?


Debit card holders are only authorized to spend the amount of barter issued to them by the active client. To activate the new debit card, the client must pay all cash fees due on their account. The cash transaction fee on the total barter amount issued to the debit card holder must be prepaid either by the issuer of the debit card or the recipient of the debit card. After all fees have been paid, BBE will send the recipient debit card with a 5-digit account number that starts with a 9. All BBE rules, regulations, policies, and procedures apply to debit cards. The debit card holder must identify himself as a BBE barter client when they call the sellers. Tax and tip must be paid in cash. Debit card holders do not owe the cash transaction fee since debit cards are prepaid. Every transaction of any amount must be authorized. BBE will not extend credit to debit card holders. BBE is not responsible if a business justifiably refuses to accept debit cards. Occasionally sellers go "on hold" and do not take barter for a limited time. Debit cards cannot be redeemed for cash. Debit cards usually have a 12-month expiration period. Unspent barter remaining on expired debit cards will be forfeited to the Barter Business Exchange.
 

How does a debit card holder know where to spend their BBE barter dollars?


Debit card holders are given access to the online membership directory, the BBE Marketplace. To have access to the BBE Marketplace, debit card holders must register online, just like a regular client. In the “Marketplace Registration” screen, the debit card holder should complete all of the information just like a normal BBE Member; but, when it ask for the “Account Number”, they should enter in the debit card number on the front of the debit card. Debit card holders can view all of the active BBE clients, buy scrip, gift certificates, and showroom merchandise online. Debit card holders are not able to access their barter balances in the BBE Marketplace and they will not be given access to the financial information for the company that issued the debit card. All debit card holders who register in the BBE Marketplace will also receive the daily broadcast emails. Debit card holders can also call, fax, or email the barter brokers Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm to request products and services in the BBE network.

 

How does a debit card holder check their barter balance?


Debit card holders do not receive a monthly statement. The balance remaining on a debit card can easily be obtained by calling the 24-Hour telephone line at (919) 469-5548. Press #2 for account balance information. The system will ask the debit card holder to, “Please enter your account number followed by the # key.” Enter in the debit card number followed by the # key. The 24-hour system will tell the debit card holder the remaining barter balance and the expiration date on the debit card.


Debit card holders can also contact the BBE office by calling (919) 469-5538, faxing (919) 469-5558, or emailing BBE Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm  to review their debit-card balances.