Helping Friendly Podcast - Episode: An Update from CashorTrade

Release Date: February 14, 2025

Introduction

In this special episode of the Helping Friendly Podcast (HFPod), host RJ sits down with Dusty Rich and Brando, co-founders of Cash or Trade and the Face Value Ticket movement. The episode provides an insightful update on the evolution of Cash or Trade, detailing recent developments, future plans, and the platform's mission to revolutionize the ticketing industry.

Launch of Cash or Trade 4.0

[02:29] Dusty Rich: "Just announced the launch of Cash or Trade 4.0, the new application at the Intix Conference in Manhattan."

Dusty Rich kicks off the conversation by announcing the launch of Cash or Trade 4.0, highlighting its debut at the Intix Conference. This new iteration aims to address previous app limitations and introduce enhanced features to better serve the fan community.

Origin Story and Evolution

[02:44] Brando:
Dusty and Brando delve into the origins of Cash or Trade, reminiscing about their early days as Phish fans in southern New Hampshire. They recount attending their first Phish concert in 1993 at the UNH Field House, where the band’s evolving sound left a lasting impression.

[03:15] Dusty Rich:
"Watching the band evolve into again, Boston Garden playing Julius for this first time, totally blowing our minds..."

As Phish grew from small venues to massive arenas like Madison Square Garden, Dusty and Brando witnessed the band's rise firsthand. The breakup announcement in 2004 marked a pivotal moment, prompting them to address the burgeoning issues in the ticketing market, such as scalpers and exorbitant resale prices.

Building the Face Value Movement

[04:00] Dusty Rich:
"We started building this little makeshift website... it started to blow up. More and more fans are signing up..."

Driven by a desire to support fellow fans and combat ticket scalping, the duo launched Cash or Trade as a platform for buying, selling, and trading tickets at face value. Over a decade of dedication saw the platform grow, albeit with financial challenges that led Dusty to take a hiatus while Brando continued to sustain the platform.

Cash or Trade 4.0: New Features and Improvements

[08:53] Dusty Rich:
"We're building something much bigger... creating a scalable face value alternative that can support millions of events worldwide..."

With Cash or Trade 4.0, Dusty outlines a series of significant enhancements:

• API Integrations: Collaborations with primary ticketing companies to verify ticket authenticity and facilitate direct transfers between fans, eliminating the need to leave the Cash or Trade platform.

  [09:17] Brando:
  "We've built an API integration that allows us to verify the face value of a ticket..."

• Artist and Venue Partnerships: Strengthening relationships with artists and venues to promote Cash or Trade as the preferred resale solution, thereby increasing inventory and reducing scalper presence.

• Enhanced User Experience: Introduction of a ticket wallet for centralized storage, improved social integrations to connect fans, smarter purchase processes to manage offers, and advanced fraud detection tools to ensure platform security.

  [11:07] Dusty Rich:
  "We're also making big improvements to the purchase process... better fraud detection tools to keep bad actors off the platform."

• Escrow Service: Implementation of an in-house escrow service to protect transactions, supported by a 10% fee for non-gold members to ensure sustainability.

Community and Sustainability

[13:17] Dusty Rich:
"If you're a fan who wants to support other fans... use Cash or Trade."

The platform emphasizes its community-driven ethos, encouraging fans to support one another and event organizers rather than brokers and scalpers. With features like free selling options, gold memberships, and a commitment to face value transactions, Cash or Trade positions itself as the most fan-friendly resale platform in the industry.

Future Vision and Legislative Efforts

[14:44] Dusty Rich:
"We are on the steering committee for NEVA... lobbying for legislation against speculative ticketing."

Beyond technological advancements, Dusty and Brando are actively involved in advocacy through the National Independent Venues Association (NEVA). They are pushing for the Fans First Act and legislation aimed at curbing deceptive practices by brokers, such as manipulating search engine rankings and purchasing valuable URLs to dominate the market.

Closing Remarks

RJ thanks Dusty and Brando for their dedication and contributions to the fan community. Dusty reflects on the collaborative efforts with Matt Dwyer, a longtime co-host who has been instrumental in advancing Cash or Trade's product development.

[17:00] Dusty Rich:
"I appreciate it and thank you for what you do for the community... So embrace the face, folks."

The episode concludes with a heartfelt endorsement of the platform's mission to create a fair, transparent, and community-oriented ticketing ecosystem.

Conclusion

This episode of HFPod offers a comprehensive update on Cash or Trade's journey from a grassroots initiative to a robust platform poised to transform the ticketing landscape. Through unwavering commitment and innovative advancements, Dusty Rich and Brando are fostering a more equitable and fan-centric environment for live music enthusiasts.

For listeners interested in supporting the face value movement or seeking more information, visit cashortrade.org.

Notable Quotes

• Dusty Rich ([02:44]):
  "Just announced the launch of Cash or Trade 4.0, the new application at the Intix Conference in Manhattan."

• Dusty Rich ([09:12]):
  "We're on a mission to create a scalable face value alternative that can support millions of events worldwide while staying true to our roots."

• Dusty Rich ([13:17]):
  "If you're a fan who wants to support other fans and people actually putting on the event, then you use Cash or Trade."

• Dusty Rich ([16:59]):
  "Embrace the face, folks."

This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the episode, providing a thorough overview for those who haven't listened.