Becoming a Trading Post

[Gazrok]

True, my suggestion for your meeting point is get a pill box off your land where you can meet​

I like the idea of the initial conversation being via a two-way radio. Downside to a location off property is that I don't have the cover fire, and to guard it, I'd have to have others away from the property instead of protecting it.
The one person at a time idea is to stave off the group attack plan. I'm always open to suggestions though, so feel free. I can't think of everything, and your comments did point out some serious considerations.

 

[cyclingjames]

depending on how many people you have you could have some inside and some hidden outside so if anything goes wrong inside, they can storm in and save the day.

 

[Gazrok]

Well, we would always have a couple of scouts most likely, but originally, I was thinking about once they spotted someone coming, to fall back to the ranch.
May be a good idea to have them out there as some kind of backup. A lot just may depend on the situation.
This actually does raise another consideration and thought though. (i.e. a way through the back fencing if we need to flee). I have a 12' gate through one fence, but not through the outer one, so it'd need to be put in (and secured). And a tree or two may need to be removed. A fleeing group could drive out through it, and then through the pasture back there relatively unseen from the main road.

 

[Tyler]

One thing you could do is set up some designated hiding spots, like for 2 -4people so should they get trapped or left behind they could remain there until they can be freed or escape

 

[Gazrok]

That's an interesting thought. Especially for those who couldn't move fast for some reason.
I actually know a perfect spot for this. Thanks.

 

[Tyler]

No problem, we have a snipers nest (sorta) for our group just on the top of a hill overlooking our house

 

[Sbrosky1]

Thinking outside the box. I like it. Fluid and evolving. Sticking to a singular mindset will get you killed.

 

[old_anorak]

Did I read that right? 5 MILES? Holy batshit, that's an easy walk for even the laziest assed welfare degenerate. And you have close neighbors? Oh sweet baby Jesus you are going to be overrun and annihilated before you can get plans into action. I am seriously scared at this trading post idea if you are that damned close to people. That's sticking a giant bull's eye on your loved ones.

Hey, it's great if you want to think everything is going to work out and it just might do that and one day my horses will crap jelly beans too.

I'd have the family somewhere the heck else before even mentioning trade with anyone.

 

[Gazrok]

Did I read that right? 5 MILES? Holy batshit, that's an easy walk for even the laziest assed welfare degenerate. And you have close neighbors? Oh sweet baby Jesus you are going to be overrun and annihilated before you can get plans into action. I am seriously scared at this trading post idea if you are that damned close to people. That's sticking a giant bull's eye on your loved ones.

Hey, it's great if you want to think everything is going to work out and it just might do that and one day my horses will crap jelly beans too.

I'd have the family somewhere the heck else before even mentioning trade with anyone.

Your opinion of lazy degenerates is far more generous than mine, hehe. Well, I have a handful of close neighbors. I do have a LOT of fencing though. It's a small, and spread out town though too, not a metropolis (like two major streets that everything is on). (and at first, during the chaos period, I intend to completely block the roads leading to us, by downing trees, power lines, etc., whatever it takes). Only a couple of roads lead into the area.

The trading post thing is only for when things have quieted down, and only IF and WHEN we feel it safe to do so.
Yes, there will certainly be a "safe place" for noncombatant family members. Let's face it though, trade will happen, and it will be fairly necessary. To me, being seen as more of a long-term asset (i.e. renewable supplies and services) than a target is the one thing that will save us from our biggest threat (organized armed gangs). Any other strategy just means fighting it out to the death, which is really my last preference.

I'd prefer an even more rural setting, but it is what it is. We play the cards we're dealt.

 

[Clyde]

Odd as it may sound, post SHTF, I foresee a time when society does somewhat stabilize. For the most part, I'm hoping our rural location keeps us from dealing with much of the chaos. But, eventually, we'll want to interact more with others (and get things we'll need/want from others).

So, here are the things we'd plan on offering at our place:

WATER - With a well, lots of water storage, lots of rain, and access to nearby fresh water sources, this seems an easy thing to trade.

FOOD - With gardens, home-canning, and renewable rabbits, chickens, eggs (and lots of frogs, and snakes), should be something we could offer then.

MEDICAL SERVICES - One of our group is a former EMT, so we could offer this service to trade, along with medical herbs and home-remedies.

INFORMATION - I have been collecting books, maps, pdfs, etc. with info that we could reprint or save to drives, etc. (as long as we can keep some power going)

HORSE TACK - We currently run a tack shop (horse supplies, saddles, etc.), so we'd still have this post disaster. (includes a lot of footwear too, we had some deals on this, so a lot of stock).

SAFE LODGING & MEALS (TEMPORARY) - I have some more detailed info on how to make this safe for all, but basically, a place to lay your head (for a defined time) without worry is a pretty nice commodity.

PROSTITUTION - Morals aside, I know some women in our group who would actually do this in such a situation (though not normally). They have the looks to make it worth the trade too. Oddly enough, I only include it because THEY brought it up...not me.

REPAIRS - I have a pretty well-stocked garage with tools, and those in the group can do a variety of repairs, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, etc.

The above are things we could do now. But I'd like to learn (or have some in the group learn) Ammo Reloading, Making Biodiesel, Making Alcohol, Growing/Processing Tobacco (and similar plants), and Blacksmithing to offer these items/services as well. (and of course, for our own needs)

We'd trade for things we can't make like pharmaceutical drugs, ammo (that the trader can't use for their weapons), batteries, camping gear, news, manufactured items (likely looted from cities), medical supplies, gardening items, tools, etc.

I am certain trading posts will pop up all over the place. in my minds eye, I see things looking a lot like 1850 - 1900. a bunch of small towns or "mining camps."

 

[Gazrok]

Yep, this idea isn't out of the blue, but based on reading actual accounts of war survivors (in Bosnia, Vietnam, Laos, African nations, etc.)...people who've lived through SHTF scenarios and told their tales. Trading happens remarkably fast, and although dangerous, it is inevitable it seems. Of course, I'm also not going to put us more at risk if we think for a second it would be a bad idea. A lot of it will depend on the particulars of the situation.