GP LETS – Q&A:

So, what is a lets scheme?
LETS (local exchange trading schemes) are all about exchanging goods and services without the need for cash.
Ok, now you’ve lost me.. how do you pay for stuff then?
Right, you trade using wooden dollars. This means you can buy and sell without having to swap, as such. The way this works is someone keeps a spreadsheet, and every time you trade, you let the person with this spreadsheet know (that’d be me)
- who the trade is going to (credit) , including their member number
- where the trade is coming from (debit), including their member number
- how many ‘greenies’ the trade is for (you agree this with person you’re trading with, via PM or email)
- what the trade is for (describe what you’ve received in return for your ‘greenies’)
I think I’ve got it now… I talk to who I’m trading with, agree a price and then let you know about the transaction?
Yep, that’s it.
Ok, bear with me… what about my ‘account’?
Right, it’s all kept on spreadsheet, and I’ll let everyone know balances via PM once a quarter (three months), more if you request a balance via PM. Don’t worry about going into commitment, as no-one will be asking you to pay it back! You get 10 ‘Greenies’ at the start, so you don’t need to feel like you’ve got to have someone buy something before you can trade – this’d mean everyone waiting till they had greenies, so it just gets the whole thing started.
Think I’ve got the hang of it now.
Good, lets just recap a few of the biggest points I’ve talked about above, plus a few other bits which might help get your head round it.
- The currency is called a ‘greenie’
- To help when sorting out how much to trade, 1Greenie=1Pound
- You need to inc your membership number, the person your trading with number and amount of greenies and description when you email a trade to me.
- You sort out paying any cash for postage etc, or for raw materials, and do this outside of the main scheme. Pay pal or cheque/po is probably best way to sort this.
- All members get 10 greenies to start with, so you have something to trade in straight away.

Hope that’s covered everything, more questions, add comment below.

Ok, think I've got it, will we do another sort of "wanted" board then, eg if I decide I want someone to make me, say a cloth bag can I just put a wanted on and then see if anyone replies, or do I try and work out who has said they can make them and contact them individually? 

Put a post in 'genral' but put GP LETS at the start, and 'request' or 'offer' in title too, depending on if you want something or are offering for greenies.

Sounds like we could do with a separate catergory for LETs, I'll message Jez.

that'd be fabby,shell.
Ta x

Sorry, I posted my questions on the general Lets post, I understand a bit better now…  ::)

That's fine Laura, hope it makes more sense now. In a very consumer driven society, its a hard concept to get your head round!

oops sorry i did too, dont bother to answer on that thread as its covered on here! lol

Thanks i am sure it will become clearer as we use it

Ketty x

I emailed Jez last week and we should get out separate category today :D

Thanks again Jez for sorting this out.

For everyone else Jez asked  'I was thinking of what the description would be underneath GP LETS so that people know what it is who have never heard of it before, any ideas?
Jez.'

I didn't really know what to put so I said I would ask you lovely ladies.

I was wondering if we should all 'pay' Earthmummie for her time for co-ordinating everything?  Maybe 1 greenie per member per quarter?

Please let's call it something else!!!  Ew.

I have been racking my brains thinking what on earth I could offer, and am struggling.

Was wondering if anyone would be interested in setting up a holiday house exchange register?  I wouldn't mind doing the admin for that if members paid something similar to what i've suggested for the LETS.

Was also wondering if anyone would be interested in a GP gathering?  A family weekend maybe, with workshops and stuff.  Again, wouldn't mind organising if enough interest.

Becky
xx

Perhaps a GP campsite take over, somewhere in the middle one long wekend?

Welcome to 'pay' me for my time, but really just loving setting up a scheme with likeminded people!

The holiday exchange is a good idea too, but would require a lot of admin, and poss insurance. I'm a member of our local NCT, so could ask about the NCT home swap register, and how much running etc is involved in that, to give you an idea before you commit, Becky.

And thanks Jez for sorting out a section. Will PM you with a 'blurb' for underneath title of this new section. Would you like an artical about our new scheme for GP? Happy to explain and raise interest if you'd give me a page or so.

I would definitely be interested in a GP gathering for a weekend.

[quote author=Mum22 link=topic=2331.msg26984#msg26984 date=1219913196]

But I do have a question.  Is there anywhere we could showcase our 'work' as I'd like to show people what they were getting and see what I would want? I don't think the picture download button works on here and it's a bit of a faff sometimes getting pictures on here by the time you've downloaded them to a picture site and then on to here.

I think this is a very good idea.  I worry a bit that people wouldn't know what they were getting.  My baskets for example are functional and very original but a proper basketeer would wet themselves laughing!!   :-[

perhaps a joint blog would be the answer, we could all have access to make entries and upload photos.
what do you all think ?

mama4
x

How about a yahoo group?

You can email the group requests and offers, have shared files so maybe an updatable list of what people can offer, and also upload photos to shared files.

Becky
xx