Trading with the Amish

greenspun.com : LUSENET : TimeBomb 2000 (Y2000) Preparation Forum : One Thread

What sorts of manufactured goods do the Amish depend upon? Any recommendations for what (or how) to trade with them?

-- biker (y2kbiker@hotmail.com), December 25, 1999

Answers

Hand tools (saws, blades, sharpeners, hand drills, hammer/nails, knives, shovels), sewing equipment and MATERIAL (linen, cotton, wool), kerosene, lamps and wicks, matches, clothing 9especially gloves or items for cold weather). Any ofthe supplies you need for basics - canning jars andlids, pots and pans, leather for shoes (sure, some can cure their own, but its a lot of work for the Amish too). Salt and Sugar, spices, soap (not many make their own), and on and on. Almost anything not related to electricity or fashion.

-- Jon Johnson (narnia4@usa.net), December 25, 1999.

For a good idea of what the Amish need search for Lehman Hardware in Kidron, Ohio. Great catalog of non-electric tools and basic "stuff". I'm a small businessman (building materials) and can vouch for the honesty of 99.9% of them, but as always deal with your eyes open. Also, if for any reason you have a problem dealing with any one of the Amish you will instantly have a problem with all of them in your locallity. Their news travels REALLY fast!

-- Ace (Ace@nospam.com), December 25, 1999.

My brother lives smack in the middle of a small Amish community with Amish farms surrounding him. He deals with them all the time and what he has that they need are: 1. telephone for emergencies 2. Car to take child to Dr or to hospital. 3. Filling drums of gasoline for them as they have a deep well and use a gas powered pump. A lot of it depends on the Amish group. They are NOT all the same. Where my bro is they can have closed in carriages with a wind shield for winter, not far away in Indiana there is a group that can use only an open wagon such as a buck board. No fancy carriage and certainly no protection from the weather. So the Amish around you are pretty well apt to have most of what they need that is within the confines of their religion/lifestyle. Its what you have that they can't have that they sometimes need and will use if you can provide. Such as transportation. Those of you who live among the Amish and are in good graces with them, are truly blessed as they will be able to help you make the transition to non electric and self sufficiency if you need to. But KEEP YOUR OPINIONS TO YOURSELF AND DON'T TALK BADLY OF ANYONE. oNE THING YOU CAN BET ON IS THAT THEY ALL ARE RELATED EITHER BY BLOOD OR BY MARRIAGE. Otherwise, enjoy them as your neighbors and they will enjoy you too. Taz

-- Taz (Tassi123@aol.com), December 26, 1999.

Taz is right in that all Amish communities are not the same. There are several groups around us and I deal with them and the Mennonite communities as well. One group is friendlier than the other and is not against dealing with the "English" (non-Amish) as they feel they need to contribute to the community as a whole, but another group I deal with would rather not deal with the "English" except where they have to. They are very aware of Y2k and are concerned about it's affects on the general population.

Definitely use Mr. or Mrs. instead of first names when you talk to them or refer to someone. DON'T take pictures unless you get permission (and usually that will be of children). Most of the Mennonite and Amish people I have met are very helpful if you don't come off as a know-it-all or a jerk.

-- Beckie (sunshine_horses@yahoo.com), December 26, 1999.


Moderation questions? read the FAQ