i don't mind trading content for banner design.. and helping out a little in return for traffic... but yeah some peeps will try anything to get something for nothing.. been burnt a few times early on designing front and tours in return for %'s of subscriptions... cause even tho you might have done an ok job on the design.. the bastard doesn't do anything to promote it or bother really optimising traffic for one reason or another (pet projects or other commitments) and you end up having to assume the role of marketeer to try and recoup costs..... you really have to vet the people out if you want to enter those sort of deals - make sure they know as much about running a site as you do designing one.. and of course never do anything without a contract (and make sure you get a percentage on the sale of the site as well if that eventuates)...
you get what you pay for.. if someone's charging $50 for a website, don't whinge about my costs.. go for it and come back to me later on when you aren't converting
