GoBarter · community rules · version 2026-09

The rules of the exchange

GoBarter is a small network that works because everyone in it gives as much as they take. These rules keep it that way. Every member accepts them before entering.

The credit economy

Give to get

GoBarter runs on a reciprocal credit system. You earn a credit for every consultation session you give in your areas of expertise, and you spend one to get advice from another verified member. No cash fees, no sales pitches.

Protected tiers

Zero noise

To protect experienced founders and executives, lower tiers cannot contact higher tiers unless invited. You connect freely within your own tier and can always reach down to help others. Pitching, lead generation and upselling are grounds for suspension.

What counts

Action over talking

When you book, one credit is held. It moves to the other person only after you both confirm the session happened, and comes back if it did not. Rate honestly: low ratings are reviewed, and ratings decide who gets matched first.

What GoBarter is not

This is an expertise exchange, not a marketing or cold-sales channel.

GoBarter exists for peer-to-peer execution help and knowledge sharing. Using it for unsolicited product pitching, lead generation, agency upselling, recruiting, or to get around tier boundaries is grounds for suspension. The people you reach here gave their time on the understanding that nobody would sell to them.

Tiers and who can contact whom

Members are placed in tiers by the GoBarter team after reviewing their background. You can request sessions with members at your tier or below, and anyone can offer help downward. Contact with higher tiers happens only when a higher-tier member invites it. Matching respects this automatically, so you never see people you cannot contact.

Credits and sessions

A session moves one credit from the person who asked to the person who helped.
When you book, one credit is held from your balance. It is released to the other person only after you both confirm the session took place. If it did not happen, the credit comes straight back.
Rate a session 2 stars or lower and the GoBarter team reviews it and can return the credit. Sessions a higher-tier member offers to you top-down skip the hold and settle on completion.
Both people rate each other afterwards. Ratings shape who gets matched first and are part of tier reviews.
No cash changes hands between members, ever. Offering or asking for payment outside the platform is a violation.

Moderation

Anyone reported for spamming, unprofessional behaviour or misuse of access is suspended while the GoBarter team reviews the report. Suspension pauses your profile, sessions and credits. Repeat violations end in a permanent ban. Reports are handled by the team, not by other members, and you will always hear the reason.

Your profile

Profiles must be real, current and yours. Every account is expected to link a live LinkedIn profile and describe genuine expertise. Accounts that cannot be verified do not take part in the credit exchange.

Questions about a rule? Contact the team. Back to GoBarter.