As a web designer and
SEO optimiser I am well aware of reciprocal linking, my statement is only from that point of view. 1€ is peanuts but for reciprocal linking I have never come across having to pay before. What if someone wants to advertise there business but has no web site to reciprocate does that mean they can't list?
Our sites have been established many years and have good page ranking, the line about you benefiting more is a simple
SEO fact no more...
Forums are great for misinterpretation if I have put a statement in bad English that causes friction just give me a slap, I bounce back quickly