Tips for Successful Trading in LETS

Some people join LETS, make a commitment to the system but never really utilize their membership to its fullest. This is a pity because LETS is a great opportunity for trading and sharing. Here are a few tips to help you along:

1. Get to know your fellow LETS members: Most members prefer to trade with people they know and trust. Meeting people, socializing at the markets, etc., is a good start to stimulate trading activity. If arriving at an event or market for the first time is a little frightening your system Co-ordinator or committee helper would be happy to meet you on the day, introduce you and help get you started.

2. Have a Market Stall: Selling a few wares (no matter how small or ‘unwanted’ you might think them to be – it may just be what another member is looking for!) is another way to get yourself known and meet other members. Stall sites are free!

3. Pass the Word Around: The on-line Offers and Wants list from members may not be a clear indication of everything on ‘offer’ or ‘want’. Sometimes what you are offering or requesting can be located just by word of mouth. So ask around, ask other members and advertise in the SISLETS Newsletter or with other systems – if the item or service is important enough people will make the effort to contact you and travel to your home.

4. Keep your Listings Up-to-date and Informative: If your listings remain the same for some time or appear out of date other members get the impression you are not interested in trading or are unreliable – so change/update your listings on-line regularly. Having concise and clear information about what you are offering or requesting will aid trading and save on wasted time and phone calls.

5. Incentives: If you are having difficulty getting your request met – sometimes a small cash incentive (say, for petrol and other outlay costs) is a good idea.

6. Try, Try, Try Again!: LETS can be very rewarding if effort is put into making the most of what it offers. Don’t be disheartened if your offers are not responded to or some members seem disinterested or difficult to contact. Unfortunately this is sometimes happens. Keep trying - once your momentum of trading has begun you will find yourself pleasantly pulled along by the fun of sharing and support.

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