TRADE BARRIERS Reasons why LETS sometimes doesn�t work, and some suggested ways to overcome them...
I�m still not really sure how the LETS system is supposed to work... Look at the pages on How LETS works and frequently asked questions, or if anything still isn�t clear get in touch. I�m worried about going into debt... Don�t be! We cannot emphasise enough that it is NOT necessary to have a credit balance before you start spending LETS currency. Unlike the cash economy, a �negative� balance is not the same as being in debt. In fact, for the system to function, it is absolutely necessary that some members accounts are IN COMMITMENT or the whole thing would grind to a halt. There also isn�t alot of point in building up massive amounts of LETS credit as this simply �locks up� energy within the system. Instead, regular spending and earning keeps the economy flowing by constantly �re-investing� in other peoples� skills and resources. I�m not sure how much a �pier� is worth or what to charge... Many SEELETS members price their services as �negotiable�, but as a rough guideline, 10 piers per hour seems a reasonable baseline figure for most people. Several LETS systems around the country have linked their currencies to stirling, (eg, 1 LETS credit is worth about �1.00), and the dynamics of their trading reflect external �market forces�. However in SEELETS we prefer to allow members themselves decide what a �pier� is worth... We see it as being about how much value you yourself place upon the services or goods you offer, and just as importantly, how much you value the work that is done for you by others. If you feel you�ve worked hard and done a high quality job, charge accordingly... similarly, if the organic vegetables you�ve purchased have obviously been grown with loving care and attention, show your appreciation! We hope that unlike hard cash, a �pier� is less about a cold transaction of �things� and more about interacting on a human and social level. In a way, we feel it�s important that LETS doesn�t simply end up becoming a reflection of the money system; After all, isn�t it conventional economics that got the world into it�s present mess in the first place? (See also Piers In A Nutshell) Nobody has rung me yet... It�s OK for YOU to pick up the phone!! Everybody who is in LETS has joined because they believe in the system and want it to work, and THEY are also waiting to hear from YOU just as much as you are waiting to hear from them!! The directory includes a �wants� section for just this reason- if somebody needs a skill or service you possess, get in touch, even if it�s not something you�ve listed in the directory. Even if you don�t feel qualified to actually carry out a task, you might be able to advise or recommend somebody who can! I don�t have enough to offer... If it seems that the services you are offering aren�t required by LETS members (though it could be that, just like you, they �don�t like to ring�!), maybe you could give some thoughts to other services you could provide. We all as human beings have an incredible range of skills and abilities, even if sometimes these are not considered �valued� within our cash oriented culture. The Offers and Wants Worksheet and Inspiration List might help you to think more creatively about what you can offer, Think of each service in terms of your level of ability, whether it be �Hobby� (or learner), �Skilled� (or semi- skilled) or �Professional�. What do you actually ENJOY doing?