New category for trades?

Excellent idea--I'll vote for that!

Might best be first tried locally in metro areas where both items can be auditioned. I personally have bought only in local D.C. area using geenbacks, and probably will sell only the same way.

Locally is a good beginning. I have sold many things in the Greater New York area, including Connecticut, New Jersey,Long island and Upstate N.Y. (Almost sounds like the Billy Joel song). Surely there must be some ways that a trade can be worked out long distance. Perhaps Audiogon might step up to the plate here and offer some input.

Some type of Escorow 3 rd party.Would work.It would add a little to the cost but its worth the security.

I will gladly trade my soul to anyone who can offer in return the steady knowledge of when to hold 'em, when to fold 'em, when to...
seriously, though, trades are a great idea, and the 3rd party / escrow thing works just as well for that as it does for any other transaction (i.e. a pain in either case, but probably worthwhile).