We didn't have the internet 25yrs ago and survived just fine.

I think it would be great!

Kids would go outside and play again, people would socialize in person.

Why this would be TEOTWAWKI for SOME "preppers"- how would they finalize their "lists" and "lists of lists" when the internet is down? How would they log on to survival forums asking "what does the hive think, should I start getting some food now that the SHTF?"   That truly would be a hard time for those that have played academic "research" survivalist all this time but haven't actually DONE much.

Did business before the internet and it would be possible afterwards, just drastically different than now.

Consumers would do well to PRINT out phone numbers of companies they do business with, to include preparedness companies that carry all the stuff on those "lists" they are making but many aren't actually doing.

Businesses can still take a CC over the phone, we do it every day, nothing magical about that.  However so many companies don't even list phone numbers. I remember having one of my cards hacked after using it on an ammo seller's website. Next time I needed to order I thought "I'll just call them with the order." OMG, what a PITA. No numbers listed anywhere, and I mean anywhere. Sent an email- "Hey regular customer here, need to place a phone order, can you email me back with a phone number or call me at.."    Got a reply a couple days later and the ammo seller told me- "we don't do any phone orders."  WTFF over?

And while most places probably use the net to PROCESS cards, some don't and still use the phone lines. We purposely set ours up to utilize the phone line versus the net for authorizations.

You'll want to order over the phone with any "last minute" purchases most of the time anyways. Typically when things go nutty it gets very busy in the survival industry. You want to actually talk to someone, confirm that something IS actually still in stock versus just hoping your internet order got picked up in time (if net is still up).

In person stuff- definitely bring cash. I know the "mommy won't let me" types and the "if I have more than $3.50 in cash I'll be considered a drug dealer" types will cry about this, but you should have a good amount of cash so you can function in this environment.

"But Walmart isn't set up for that, blah blah blah"-    A lot of this is common sense and a bit of social engineering. Mom and Pops store will take cash and anyone with a half a brain in business with have a calculator if they are slow on the draw with addition. Bring a small solar calculator with you if your worried about it.  "Let's see it's $300. for the purchase and then 7% sales tax = $21. so $321. correct? You can just write me a receipt on the back of your business card..."

A lot of folks won't think about that, and suggesting it will often get the wheels turning. If their is a line or a bunch of pissed off cause their debit card won't work people in there, they will be looking for answers.  And it's hard to think that anyone even semi serious about survival won't have a couple hundred cash tucked in a hidey spot in their wallet.