TradeFirst.com is a privately owned company that was founded in 1978. We are one of the nation’s oldest and most established trade networks. We have brokered over half a billion dollars in trade, in over 1,000 categories of goods and services.

Since our launch we have been a revolutionary leader in the barter industry. TradeFirst is dedicated to the growth and prosperity of our members. By acting as an aggressive financial, service and marketing organization, we keep an on-going awareness of our members’ needs.

The History Of Trade First

1978

TradeFirst Opens it’s doors under the name Michigan Trade Exchange.

1979

TradeFirst develops a revolutionary program to calculate and manage trade transactions using data point terminals.

1983

Acquisition of the Toledo, Ohio office.

1986

Launches a 24-hour telephone authorization system.

Early 1990's

The Michigan Trade Exchange becomes Trade Exchange of America.

1990

Institutes broadcast fax capabilities to notify members of new trading opportunities.

1991

Opening of the Pompano Beach, Florida office.

2000

Launches interactive web presence capable of online trading, account maintenance, and member/category searches.

2002

Starts weekly eSpecial, an opt-in email for new goods and services.

2002

The Trade Exchange of America becomes TradeFirst.com.

2003

TradeFirst becomes the only barter company in the United States to offer swipe mag-card machines to members.

2008

TradeFirst is the first barter company with a rating system allowing the community to publish instant feedback about transactions and sellers.

2010

Launches the TradeFirst App for smart phones, allowing access to nearby member dining, retail, entertainment and other goods and services.

2011

Creates interactive training videos for members to easily learn how to get authorizations from our swipe machine, smart phone app, online and over the 24-hour line.

2013

Card Swipe innovations for Smartphones & Tablets as well as USB connectable devices.

2015

Introduces wireless tablets for members to use for transactions.

2017

Improves TradeFirst smart phone app user experience with interactive mapping and real-time driving directions.

2018

Launches online marketplace for purchasing gift cards.

2019

Launches Member-to-Member online marketplace.