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Many Swiss farmers use honor system to sell their products

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51–60 of 162 posts

Re: Many Swiss farmers use honor system to sell their products

#51
post #10

This is more common than you might think in rural areas in California

Once upon a time I cycled through vast fields of strawberries and other yummy looking produce in California. I did see honour system stalls but they were pretty rare considering the size of the area. They were more like curious exceptions rather than the norm. They were also geared up to sell at volumes that didn't suit the bike, so too much to carry. I got the impression from the article on Switzerland that this was…

So this! The lovely clicky sound of rifle bullets passing by above your head as you stroll on well signposted paths. I understand they do have concrete blocks preventing beginners from shooting too low. Still...

Re: Many Swiss farmers use honor system to sell their products

#52
post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In Geneva thirty years ago there were newspapers for sale on the street using this system.

Yes, and the next logical question would be: what has changed in Geneva these past 30 years? Hints: individualism, globalization, multiculturalism. My father told me that when he served for our national army back then, soldiers just left their weapons alone in front of the train station while they were having a coffee before going into the train.

Other hints: increased population, increased levels of education, more flavors of ice cream available...

Re: Many Swiss farmers use honor system to sell their products

#53
post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In Geneva thirty years ago there were newspapers for sale on the street using this system.

Yes, and the next logical question would be: what has changed in Geneva these past 30 years? Hints: individualism, globalization, multiculturalism. My father told me that when he served for our national army back then, soldiers just left their weapons alone in front of the train station while they were having a coffee before going into the train.

Free newspapers as well, they are available in pretty much every station or next to some bus stops. It must be hard for the business.

Re: Many Swiss farmers use honor system to sell their products

#54
post #38

This is a sign of a deeply trust based society. I don't think articles like these are good for the system's health :)

You really think a significant number of people are going to get on a plane to Switzerland and then drive to Vaud to steal pumpkins?

I there are always marginal effects, as an economist would put it.

Re: Many Swiss farmers use honor system to sell their products

#55

This is a sign of a deeply trust based society. I don't think articles like these are good for the system's health :)

It's also a society with really high wages, so the barrier to staffing a stand is higher.

San Francisco also has really high wages.

I don't see a lot of similar arrangements around here...

Re: Many Swiss farmers use honor system to sell their products

#56
post #37

I ran into this in California at a small farm along Highway 1 a few miles north of Santa Cruz. It's a scenic ocean side rural locale but near all the big Bay Area cities and frequented by day visitors from there. There was a shack with a good variety of their produce laid out, with price labels. Up front there was a cash box, with about $40 already in it, and a sign that said pay here. This was late '90s. I really ho…

I've seen them in the town of Sonoma as recently as last season.

Re: Many Swiss farmers use honor system to sell their products

#57
post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, and the next logical question would be: what has changed in Geneva these past 30 years? Hints: individualism, globalization, multiculturalism. My father told me that when he served for our national army back then, soldiers just left their weapons alone in front of the train station while they were having a coffee before going into the train.

Other hints: increased population, increased levels of education, more flavors of ice cream available...

TIL increased levels of education causes lower morals

Re: Many Swiss farmers use honor system to sell their products

#58
post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In Geneva thirty years ago there were newspapers for sale on the street using this system.

Print is weird. For most print mediums, circulation is more important than sales. Because higher circulation generates more Advertising revenue, which is higher than sales. But they can't give a newspaper/magazine away, because that would bump them to a lower category for which advertisers pay less. The solution is to sell as cheap as your desired advertising demographic allows, and incurs lots and lots of "loss". Th…

Do you work in print?

Re: Many Swiss farmers use honor system to sell their products

#60
post #37

I ran into this in California at a small farm along Highway 1 a few miles north of Santa Cruz. It's a scenic ocean side rural locale but near all the big Bay Area cities and frequented by day visitors from there. There was a shack with a good variety of their produce laid out, with price labels. Up front there was a cash box, with about $40 already in it, and a sign that said pay here. This was late '90s. I really ho…

There’s one in Soquel ( next to Santa Cruz ) I visited last year. Really neat feel to it.
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