This booklet is for anyone working on developing responses to book up in Aboriginal communities including community leaders, non-government organisations, financial counsellors or community legal workers, government agencies or private businesses.

This booklet provides key facts about:

* what book up is and how it works,
* what individual consumers can do about book up problems,
* what communities can do to identify problems with book up and the actions they can take,
* how to protect your PIN number,
* how to promote good book up by changing the way it is managed and operated,
* alternatives to book up,
* legal issues and book up, and
* how to work with government on book up issues.

The booklet also includes a budget planner, sample contract terms for store managers and a fold out book up map or quick reference guide with solutions to some common problems.

Visit Dealing With Book Up: A Guide Website

Dealing with book up: a guide first published in 2005
Key facts extracts published June 2006
© Australian Securities and Investments Commission
Design by M Squared Design Illustrations by Adrian Young

It gives summary information about dealing with book up problems, alternatives to book up including savings plans and affordable credit, the law and where to get more help. It also includes a community action survey, a budget planner, sample contract terms for store managers, tips for protecting PIN numbers and a fold-out book up map, which gives quick ideas for solutions to specific problems.

This booklet has been produced by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), with assistance from the Australian Bankers’ Association and the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection (WA).

For more information about ways to address book up, get a free copy of Dealing with book up: a guide. This is a comprehensive resource that has case studies of what communities have done, examples of useful documents and resources, and lots more information about alternatives to book up.

Dealing with book up: a guide was produced by ASIC, with assistance from the NSW Office of Fair Trading, the Department of Tourism, Fair Trading and Wine Industry Development (Qld), the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection (WA) and the Office of Consumer and Business Affairs (SA).

Chapter 1: About book up

Book up can be positive for consumers or cause problems depending on the way it is managed and the local circumstances. This chapter looks at different types of book up and some benefits of book up for consumers. It also discusses some specific problems with book up and what factors can make a difference in how book up operates.

Chapter 2: Tips for action: what people can do

This chapter contains ideas about what an individual or family can do if they have problems with book up and where they can get further help or support to resolve these problems. It also contains ideas about how communities or community workers can begin to deal with any book up problems they have.

Chapter 3: Better book up: making good choices

Sometimes book up works badly because there are no clear rules about how it should operate. This chapter describes various ways a community can improve book up practices, phase out book up or provide support to community members to protect their interests.

Chapter 4: Other ways: alternatives to book up

Book up often appeals to consumers because they do not have access to other services. This chapter suggests other ways that people can use as alternatives to book up, such as savings facilities or affordable credit, ways to monitor and manage money and methods to pay bills and transfer funds.

Chapter 5: Money skills: building knowhow

Consumers may end up being exploited by 'bad book up' or other unfair practices because they do not have the financial knowledge, skills or experience to protect their interests. This chapter suggests ways that community leaders or local community organisations can help people develop their knowledge and skills, and get assistance from external organisations.

Chapter 6:  The law: what it says about book up

Businesses that offer credit services (like book up) to consumers have important legal obligations, especially if they charge interest or fees, or if they require security in exchange for credit. This chapter includes information about these legal obligations, and other legal rules that may affect book up.

Chapter 7: Getting help: who can you call?

This chapter describes organisations that may be able to help with book up and related issues. An organisation may be able to help an individual who is having problems, or it may be able to offer information or support for a community that wants to introduce more far-reaching changes.

Chapter 8: Key facts

This chapter summarises key information and includes:

    * Community action survey questions
    * Sample contract terms and guidelines for store managers' contract of employment
    * A fold-out book up map listing many common problems and suggested solutions.

Download Dealing With Book Up: Keu Facts

PDF format, 2.5MB. 15Pages.

About Book Up:

What is book up or book down?

‘Book up’ or ‘book down’ is informal credit offered by stores or other traders.

It allows people to get goods or services and pay the store or trader later. Book up is also known by a number of other names, including ‘on the tick’, ‘on the slate’ or ‘tiki’.

Traders often want some kind of ‘security’ when they offer book up. ‘Security’ means something the consumer gives the trader, so the trader can be sure the money will be paid for the goods or service.

What kinds of ‘security’ are used?

• The trader might ask the consumer to leave their debit card or key card, so the trader can be sure they will be paid back the money for the goods or service.
• The trader might ask the consumer to have their Centrelink cheque sent to the trader’s address.
• The consumer might sign a form for a direct debit from their bank account to the trader.
• The consumer and the trader might set up a Centrepay deduction from their Centrelink payment.

Is book up free?

Some stores charge a fee to the consumer for book up. Some do not.
When can book up be useful?

• Easy to use.
• Can be used to manage money.
• A source of credit in between payments.

What are some common problems?

• Too much debt, both for consumers and traders.
• High fees for book up.
• High bank fees.
• Lack of choice if the consumer’s account is tied to one place.
• Risk of confusion if records are not kept carefully and openly.
• Risk of theft, fraud and unfair (or unconscionable) conduct.
• Risk of the trader breaching the rules about the sale of alcohol.

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