Dr. Ecommerce Home


Ask Dr. Ecommerce a question

Q&A Alert
Latest Questions
Archives 2001
Archives 2000
Archives 1999
FAQ
Legal questions
European Institutions
Nat'l & local government
Technologies
Marketing & Selling
Definitions and Philosophy
How do I do it?
Money
General e-commerce

eThesis home
Universities and schools
eThesis best links

About Dr. Ecommerce
Discussion lists
In the news
Dr. Ecommerce speaks out

Board of experts
Legal guide
Statistics

10 Nov 2000, Finland

Hi,

What are the best alternatives for private consumers willing to purchase a lot of products via internet if they do not possess credit cards because their national currency is non-convertible and their national law limits the amount currency that can be changed. The potential of these consumers is very important. Has any company found any strategy for this problem.

Thank you for your help.

Rym from Tunisia

Dear Rym:

I don't know of any easy answers to your questions, although I wish I did. You could start by contacting your government representative and tell her or him how important it is to drop exchange controls on the local currency. If enough of your fellow country-people do the same, things might change. But, this would doubtless take time.

If you are dealing with a small on-line shop, you could propose barter to the shop-owner. That is, instead of paying money, you trade for something from your country, such as Tunisian handicrafts.

What I do not recommend you do is sell Tunisian handicrafts,art or other products via an on-line auction such as eBay and hold the income you earn in an off-shore bank account. I do not recommend this because it is probably not legal by Tunisian law and I certainly wouldn't dream of recommending something illegal! Of course, if it is legal, you might want to look into this idea.

Good luck,

Dr. Ecommerce