I have been feeling extremely virtuous over the last few days…

My office had become rather cluttered with no longer required items that have little or no monetary value so over the w/e I popped them onto Freecycle.  Children’s toys, books, games, slippers, Christmas decorations and a computer screen have all found good homes and I am rather smug – having done something for others and my bit for the environment.

Yesterday evening, as someone came to collect the last of the items, they remarked upon the signage of my husbands vans (which is rather prominent) and asked if he was looking for more clients, including her and her workplace – good deeds working harder than any targeted marketing campaign – my smuggness knew no bounds!

Today then, I was pointed to Lunch Money for Tips as an interesting concept.  I think this is dreadful – and super sneaky.  The basic premise is that small business get paid ‘donations’ for being helpful.  If you have something like wikipedia – a charity, built for and by the people who use it and needs support or FOSS plug-ins that specifically require the cash to keep going – that is one thing.

A business however, that earns money for products or services, can choose how to operate, if good people are building good customer relations, then they will attract more business.  You can’t charge, or even make the suggestion of charging for time and advice that is not specifically agreed.  It feels sordid and messy.  What happened to just being nice making good business sense?

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