What is tallyman?

A tallyman, also known as a colporteur or door-to-door salesman, was a travelling salesperson who sold goods, often on credit, by going from house to house. They were particularly common in the 19th and early 20th centuries, offering a range of items like clothing, household goods, and furniture.

The "tally" refers to a system of recording sales and payments. Customers would often make small, regular payments over an extended period until the item was fully paid for. The tallyman would keep a record of these transactions, often using a tally%20stick or a notebook.

The practice of tallymen offered a way for working-class families, who may not have been able to afford large purchases outright, to acquire necessary goods. However, it could also lead to debt and exploitation, with some tallymen charging high interest rates or using aggressive sales tactics. While less common today due to the rise of retail stores and online shopping, some forms of direct selling and installment%20plans still exist.