fREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. What does joining the CES mean for me?
The CES is not a club or organisation but a new money system. Therefore you do not 'join' and become a 'member' of an association. You register to use the CES as a new way of trading, without using your national currency. You will feel that you are part of a community but this is because you will experience a different spirit among the traders of the CES. The CES is characterised by openness, friendliness, honesty and trust, which is quite different to what your are likely to experience in the 'old' money system.
Q. Does it cost anything to join the CES?
There is no joining fee for the BMCES. A levy is charged in emus on each transaction to enable the administration to pay for any work done for the system. The people who developed and maintain the systemalso recieve part of this The levy is currently 3%.
Q. How can I begin trading without any money in my account?
A. The CES does not require that you have anything in your account to begin trading. As 'money' in this system is just a book entry or 'point scoring', there is no need for a supply of it. You begin either by going into debit (not debt). This means your account has a negative balance but unlike with conventional money you do not have to pay interest on it and there is no stigma attached to it (unless it gets large and is never reduced). Your debit simply means that you owe the community goods and services to the value of the debit.
Q. What is to stop me just entering payments into my account so that I get lots of credits?
A. You don't need credits to trade so there is no point in this. In any case, your credits are someone else's debits, and they will question your false trades with them. Your balance, which is open for everyone to see, will also reveal what you are doing. There is no need to cheat in the CES because you can simply go into debit and 'pay back' what you have received by delivering goods and services to others at a later time.
Q. What if someone exploits the system and then leaves the community without giving anything in return?
A. This can happen but equally someone who has given more than they have taken can also leave the community. If someone exploits the system it is the community that bears the burden, not any particular member. Before agreeing to trade with someone you should check their balance. If you see they have made a lot of purchases and are running a large debit, then refuse to trade until their standing has improved.
Q. What if someone doesn't pay me for work I have done for them?
A. That is impossible. You - the seller - are responsible for entering or getting entered the transaction information and you will be immediately credited for it.
Q. Is this just a tax dodge?
A: Definitely not! Our motives are noble. We want to create a more equal and just society where wealth is distributed according to contribution, not according to your ability to 'make money'.
Q. What if my service is popular but I can't find anything I want? What is the use of a large credit balance if I can't spend it?
A. Don't trade unless you feel there is something you can get in exchange. As more and more people join the community the more likely it becomes that someone will have something you want. Encourage others to join.
Q. Is it possible to trade between the different CES exchanges?
A: Yes! All the CES exchanges are linked and inter-exchange trading is possible. The CES currencies are as versatile as the national currencies. This means you can trade with any participant nationally or internationally, and your offerings are internationally accessible. Currency earned in one place can be spent in another.