ByeBuy! Rethinking the Way we Shop

This event took place over 7 days (20-27 June 2014) in a shop in Launceston, Tasmania. It was called ByeBuy! Rethinking the Way we Shop. The event was established to question and challenge the current paradigms of retail exchange by omitting currency as the current dominant form of exchange and replaced with other forms of exchange that are more socially engaging and reduce overall consumption by the consumer. These forms of exchange included a Swap Shop, Story Exchange, Repair Deli and Slow Market. In the Swap Shop products were swapped on a one to one basis the value of the product not based on monetary value but the value placed on the object by the consumer. One form of value attached to the product was provided by each 'customer' writing a brief history of the product they brought in answering a set of questions. These cards were then given to the new owner. Story Exchange challenged in part 'retail therapy', where products are bought for the emotional charge they provide. Instead of a product providing this emotional reaction, a product-less exchange was provided to offer a similar reaction. Repair Deli addressed the waste of products that could continue use through minor repairs; the loss of skills and knowledge in how to repair items; and to increase social engagement through this skill and knowledge exchange. Slow Market challenged the fast almost immediate turnover of products in the retail sector with little if any thought from the consumer on the materials used, the people who manufactured them nor the entire life cycle of products. Here consumers made their own products using recycled or readily available materials and their own hands, no power tools were permitted. The recognition of time, understanding of skills and engagement with others in how to make these items were recognised by the participants. The 'shop' was open to the general Launceston community and a series of photographs, videos and audio was used to capture the engagement and opinions of the users. The entire interior of the shop was designed and built from recycled post consumer or post industrial waste materials as well as loaned re-used materials and products. Waste from the end of project resulted in half a large garbage bag with everything else given a second life or recycled.