>I'm doing the job on a trade work basis [using a barter network] just to get in the door for future work. My guess is he's thinking of about $500 of trade.

An interesting way of acquiring new clients...
In public forums you hear whining about the fate of VFP. Employing innovative techniques like the one you've mentioned makes it possible to grow one's software development shop. Its more productive than whining anyhow.