Cash only or suitable substitute is the best policy! The irs (not capitalized) even taxes barter trades.  I need an accountant to trade my one pound of honey for 20 pounds of your black berries... How much taxes do we respectively pay?  Several years ago I had some car repairs done when the mechanic found numerous other issues requiring repair, those findings quickly escalated beyond any cash I had. The shop gladly accepted fractional gold rounds in lieu of fiat paper.        "The Internet has provided a medium for new growth in the bartering industry. This growth prompts the following reminder: Barter exchanges are required to file Form 1099-B.pdf, Proceeds From Broker and Barter Exchange Transactions for all transactions unless an exception applies..."     https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc420