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Will you be paying in cash, credit, or HOURS??

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Unlimited Real Estate

The Morning Call today has  a featured story on an alternative currency that will allow people in the Lehigh Valley to trade for goods and services.  Apparently the idea is picking up momentum and there have been several meetings in local municipalities about the idea.  This is the 2nd story I have seen on www.mcall.com.

Ithaca, N.Y. already has such a system in place, called Ithaca 'Hours'.  In Ithaca, an 'hour' is equivalent to $10.  Their 'local currency' is printed on special paper and ink to prevent counterfeiting.  Ithaca Hours started in 1991 and has been expanding ever since, according to the article.

Some forms of bartering have always been in existence between local companies for goods and services.  I know my brothers have a local signage company and have periodically made 'deals' with other local businesses... such as creating signage in exchange for a landscaping project, etc...

Has anyone else seen or heard of this in their local communities?

Do you think it's a good idea?  Do you think it will catch on?

Comments (2)

Linda Tremblay
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc, PA License #AB065488 - Doylestown, PA
Associate Broker - Bucks County, PA Real Estate Services

I think it is a great idea. Supporting each other is always good.  However I do not know if it will catch on totally as people still want to get paid in green US dollars when they work.

Jan 12, 2009 06:16 AM
Russel Ray, San Diego Business & Marketing Consultant & Photographer
Russel Ray - San Diego State University, CA

I used to be a member of a national group called Barter Pros. The problem was that services were limited. If it's going to work, all of a company's products and services need to be eligible for barter, not use the ones that typically don't sell well. For example, we had a cruise tour company, but the cruises to Alaska and Hawaii were not available for barter. The tour to Los Angeles was.

Jan 23, 2009 05:31 AM