Things Must be Tough

[Dao]

One good thing about that is ... helping Toyota to sell more Hybirds :er:

 

[Steve01]

It's terrible. Guys trying (and failing) to get work at prices unthinkable even 25 years ago.


So you got out before you had to start keeping your company afloat on saved cash. And you (and most other contractors that were smart) made a killing (give or take) from '98-'07.

That's pretty much right.
Business was good here in NJ.
I did a lot of commercial and industrial work but around 2000 businesses started moving out of state because of new taxes and regulations.
I moved to residential wiring and got in with a few contractors that did very large additions in very upscale homes.
It was typical to have $10K, $20K, of electrical work and then there were the extras.
Then the competition started hiring guys for $10 per hour, no benefits, no overtime.

How do you compete with that?

 

[gaetanphoto]

I work for a company that gives loans and business consultation for small and medium sized companies. While we had to review our risk policies, we have never had more people knocking at our door.

And generally, the economic crisis hasn't hit Canada as hard as the US

I do the same line of work in Alberta, Canada and it is the same with us, extremely busy!!

 

[Derrel]

I know this is not the proper forum, but most people frequent here. I am curious if they are experiencing what I am in regards to the economy.

I am not interested in politics here, just the economic situation.


I am getting a lot of emails from the vendors I have allowed to send them to me.
I am seeing "free upgrade through the rest of the year", "90% off", etc...

Locally the construction industry is at an all time high in unemployment, much higher than any other sector.

Local stores are closing faster this summer than in the winter - this is alarming!!

A County bank has closed it's doors, and there is a big Auction sign plastered across the front of the building. (I know, this is a record year for bank closings)

The small guy seems to be taking the brunt of this economy...what do you guys see out there?

You are interested in the "economic situation", eh?

What,exactly, do you think caused "the economic situation"? What regulates "the economic situation"? What are the costs incurred in the economy? What runs the economy? What sets the policies that govern and regulate the economy? What are key components of the US economy? What is required to grow crops, deliver goods, and to get people to and from work and vacation and recreation destinations? What is the single,largest expense a worker incurs in getting to and from his or her job?

What controls the economy? How is the profit or loss of the economy measured? What happens when fuel prices are allowed to spiral out of control, despite the existence of Federal price control laws and policies over the gas and oil industries? What happens when taxes are cut but government spending goes from a surplus, to a deficit, seven years in a row? What happens when people who "work for a living" suddenly have to quit their marginal jobs because they can no longer afford to commute to a job in the next town over because they cannot even afford to put gasoline in the tank?

What happens to the tourism industry when the price of gasoline is suddenly allowed to go,unregulated, for nearly a decade, into a state of totally hands-off constant price spirals with record profits for oil companies, while the rest of the economy tanks? People all across the tourism industries suddenly see their clientele unable to buy gasoline or diesel for their cars and motorhomes. The word "staycation" pops into the vernacular, as people can not afford to buy fuel to go on vacation, and can not afford to fly. The airlines can barely afford to fuel their aircraft with suddenly triple-priced fuel, and they start charging $50 for each additional suitcase, and $5 for use of a pillow--all to offset fuel prices.

Today, millions of people get offers in the mail from contractors, roofers,plumbers,window washers,lawn men, landscapers, and tradesmen of all types practically BEGGING for business because the economy is in the worst shape it has been in decades. Or, more typically, you get the offers taped onto the doorknob because these people are so broke that walking door-to-door and hand-delivering fliers is much cheaper than postage for these flyers. A single, desperate guy can be hired to walk flyers around all day long, and he delivers more fliers for less money than postage costs.

Nothing occurs in a vacuum. We now have multimillionaire US Senators claiming that unemployment benefits cause Americans to not want to work...yeah...sure....and every week, hard-working tradesmen deliver flyers begging for work opportunities on the roof, painting, cleaning the house, washing the windows, yard work, brush trimming, whatever. Real estate agents are walking door-to-door, and asking for business! Insurance agents are now walking door to door and soliciting business! When a business sends you an offer that says, "90% off" and "free for the rest of the year," you know things are desperate. The question is, do you want to discuss the underlying reasons as to why things have declined so precipitously, or do you just want to make an observation that "things are bad all over," and then switch to the topic of major league baseball?

You mentioned that construction industry unemployment is at an all-time high. You mentioned that local stores are closing at alarming rates. You see a small time bank closing and you note that bank failures are at an all-time high. And you claim you're interested in "just the economic situation", but do not wish to hear any comments on what has caused said economic malaise?
Did this economic situation just happen because the sky happens to look blue, or can the science of economics actually explain and account for some of the reasons underlying the current economic collapse?

"How about them Dodgers, eh?"

 

[Steve01]

I was an electrical contractor 10 years ago. I made the move into technical training - self employed. I now train in the electrical field, including building codes... .

Smart move.
Here in NJ we're required to take 24 hrs of continuing education and 10 hrs of code update every three years.

There are always going to be plenty guys trying to break into the business and get a license for whatever trade they're interested in and the tests are getting harder and harder.

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

all i have to say is:
that's what people get for voting for obama

Good job in not making this political. :er:

i just want to stir people up :mrgreen:

It looks like you only stirred up your ignorance.

 

[Arch]

Well now i should close the thread right?

Guys, if you want the thread left open you have to AVOID politics, that means people trying to 'stir it up' AND the people that went ahead and actually responded.

Any more political talk will close the thread. I do have to move this to off topic though.

 

[subscuck]

I live in the country (grew up in the burbs) about 8-10 miles from the surrounding towns. Starting in '95 all these small towns starting exploding with growth. Farmers were selling out for big bucks left and right, in every direction from me 5-6 new subdivisions were going up every year, and civilization was moving closer to me at an alarming rate. In 2007 it came to a screeching halt. No new starts since '06, and '07 saw only subdivisions started in '06 being finished. You see a lot of vacant land zoned commercial with big signs announcing "coming spring of '08!" or "coming fall of '07!" A lot of small businesses have gone under in the newer shopping centers because the landlords are so hopelessly upside down on their mortgages that they've jacked the leases to ridiculous levels. I really feel for anyone in the building industry. I know several carpenters who haven't seen regular work for several years now.

 

[c.cloudwalker]

Sorry but posting this and expecting no politics is absolutely absurd.

Yes, we can tell our sob stories or success stories without mentioning the reasons why. What would it mean? Nothing.

As nothing as some of the responses that obviously point to the fact that a lot of people have no clue what drives the economy.

*shakes head*

 

[pbelarge]

The question is, do you want to discuss the underlying reasons as to why things have declined so precipitously, or do you just want to make an observation that "things are bad all over,"

I was wondering how the different folks here see their local area fairing...
If I want to talk politics, there are many forums just for such nonsense.
I did post to keep it simple, but you must be off your meds today and did not have the strength to ignore this thread, instead you chose to be rather immature and ranting...maybe you should try some of the political forums, I think you would fit in nicely.