Local Cash Economies
"All done, £170 cash".
With that my car had been serviced and MOT'd for another year. Half the price of the main dealership. Worked on and fixed by a small local garage 20 minutes walk away. when I had popped in to ask about getting the work done, Simon the owner laid it out straight.
" We don't mess people about. I've lived here in this community for all my life. I drink in the pub here, send my kids to school here."
His reputation among the locals was important and relied on continual upkeep.
To book the work, I drove around and walked in, speaking to a human, face to face. He wrote down the appointment in a paper diary. When the work was done, he phoned me to say all good to go. I walked around to collect the car.
I was happy to pay cash.
All of these transactions took place without the machine mining my data, taking a card payment surcharge, requiring me to install an app.
The money for the work, went to an honest bloke supporting his family. When he spends it a good amount will be in his and my local community.
Paying cash felt a bit weird, a bit old fashioned. But afterwards I felt happy. And I want more of this.
You fight the machine by buying local, by supporting your neighbours.
You fight the machine by using cash again.
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