Abstract: A method and system is taught for coordinating the exchange of goods between parties over a communications network such as the internet. Users of the system can interact with a central computer to input data regarding items that they offer for exchange, as well as search criteria describing items that they would like to receive in exchange. A processor in the central computer searches records stored in a database to find and sort those records that satisfy the user's search criteria. A second test is then be performed to determine whether the information that the user input describing the item offered for exchange satisfies search criteria within the record. As a result, a match may be generated between two users who have input complementary criteria. The invention can also accommodate more complex exchanges between three or more parties.