The Sales

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Aneirin -> The Sales (12/20/2008 12:26:13 PM)
Today I was in the town getting a few supplies and noticed how many high street shops had sales on, 25% here, fiftty percent there and poor old Woolies at 60 %, The town even when I finally get in there was busy and people everywhere walking around with bags of shopping. I thought to myself, no signs of credit crunch here, people are spending as normal, in fact people are spending with gusto. So the thought was, what is it ; 1. Is it that the crunch has not hit as bad as we are lead to believe ? 2. Shop prices being discounted are now more realistic ? 3. Or is it people just don't give a stuff and are spending what credit they have whilst they can ? In the case of question 2. prices being discounted now, could it be that high street shop prices were already over the top to start with, over the top through greed and the discounts now, prices are becoming more realistic, as I suspect the shops that have discounted have done better for profits than normal, more units sold at a cheaper price being better than few or none units sold at an inflated price. Maybe this depression, recession thing might do good to balance the need versus worth ratio, people will cease to just buy it because they 'need' it, having replaced want with need, they will learn to consider about alternatives, different suppliers and is the item actually worth it's price tag. Any thoughts ?

LadyEllen -> RE: The Sales (12/20/2008 2:26:40 PM)
Stupid idiots the lot of them - believing the propaganda from a government that's told them that yet again and despite all prevailing evidence, they can have a normal Christmas and everything will be back to normal by spring. No party wants to be the one remembered as having robbed Christmas. Or, wise fools the lot of them - hung for a sheep is the same as hung for a lamb. As to the stores, there will be far fewer of them real soon. No one can offer 50% discounts and bear 25% increase in the cost of their imported wares and withstand a situation where the customers they rely on are on benefits. Look to week 3-4 January; thats when we get to finally be told what the situation is. E

bluepanda -> RE: The Sales (12/20/2008 3:03:17 PM)
I'm spending a lot of money lately, because prices have seldom been better. I'm not buying christmas gifts, though - I'm only buying essentials. I don't buy anything simply because it happens to be cheap, but if it's something I have a need for, I'm jumping all over the deals I'm getting. If I know I'm going to need a new shredder sometime in the next few months, and Office Depot has them for 40% off, I'm buying it now. OK, I will admit, I just told a little bit of a lie. I did buy a pair of new speakers for my stereo, which I really didn't need, but I've wanted to upgrade my old speakers for a year or two now. I just couldn't justify the cost before, because the speakers I wanted were going for about $2500 a pair and there was really nothing wrong with the old ones; they just aren't as good as the ones I wanted to upgrade to. But when the better ones dropped down to under $1500 a pair, I gave in and pulled the trigger. But other than that, and a vacation I've got coming up in California, I'm as tight with a buck as I've ever been. It's just that some of these deals are so good, if you have the cash and need the product you can't afford not to buy.

StrictnSaucy -> RE: The Sales (12/20/2008 3:15:49 PM)
I was out and about shopping today. I over heard a teenage girl behind me on her mobile saying "yeah they had the shoes but I will wait until I go North and get them for less". Every one bar me, it seems in the ROI is taking advantage of the big savings up North. I dont have the time to go up for the savings but big cuddos to does that do. Time our silly retailers got a big reprimand!

Aneirin -> RE: The Sales (12/20/2008 3:27:26 PM)
My supplies were art materials, cheaper than ebay, affordable at last. Xmas presents, well I make them if I can, but due to rising costs, I have not made many this year. Xmas cards, well I don't do those, as I believe if you can wish someone good tidings in person, why the need for a card, stupid Victorian idea anyway. Foodstuffs, well as ever the Asian supermarkets supply my need, ten kilo bags of essential things and at a fraction of the price the meagre amounts the supermarkets sell for. I am as frugal now as I ever was, not much has changed for me, but I am watching what is happening around.

RCdc -> RE: The Sales (12/20/2008 4:10:19 PM)
My thought is that things aren't as bad as they are portrayed, unless you were stupid enough to get yourself into financial difiiculties in the first place. People use credit cards, take out loans and want more than they can afford. That includes the greed of companies, banks and financial institutions. It's the people with savings that are the only people who should have any sympathy. The people that actually controled their finances and who are now losing out because of the lower rates. And bah humbug - I sent you a card anyways... [;)] Coz I luvs ya. the.dark.

Aneirin -> RE: The Sales (12/20/2008 5:32:13 PM)
quote: And bah humbug - I sent you a card anyways... Coz I luvs ya. Ah, int that sweet, I feel mean now. Yes, I do agree with you regards those that spent beyond their means, and before any finger pointing is done towards the man in the street, let us recognise the fact that industry and governments did the same. Easy credit, made possible by dreams of riches, in short, greed. Sooner or later the bubble was going to burst, the question is, has it popped, or is what we are seeing a slow deflation. I have debts, but they were not caused by spending, nor living beyond my means, they were the resultant of having to set up a life after having left the last life, you know, cooker, fridge, bed, clothes etc. I left with a car, a small bag of clothes and my art tools. My debts are due to needing money to gain the basics.

Hippiekinkster -> RE: The Sales (12/20/2008 6:06:16 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: bluepanda I'm spending a lot of money lately, because prices have seldom been better. I'm not buying christmas gifts, though - I'm only buying essentials. I don't buy anything simply because it happens to be cheap, but if it's something I have a need for, I'm jumping all over the deals I'm getting. If I know I'm going to need a new shredder sometime in the next few months, and Office Depot has them for 40% off, I'm buying it now. OK, I will admit, I just told a little bit of a lie. I did buy a pair of new speakers for my stereo, which I really didn't need, but I've wanted to upgrade my old speakers for a year or two now. I just couldn't justify the cost before, because the speakers I wanted were going for about $2500 a pair and there was really nothing wrong with the old ones; they just aren't as good as the ones I wanted to upgrade to. But when the better ones dropped down to under $1500 a pair, I gave in and pulled the trigger. But other than that, and a vacation I've got coming up in California, I'm as tight with a buck as I've ever been. It's just that some of these deals are so good, if you have the cash and need the product you can't afford not to buy. I'm only buying necessities as well, and some decent ales. I'd like to build a pair of Linkwitz Orions, but they're about $2500 without the associated 6-channel amp. Assembled, much more. Here's a review: http://www.linkwitzlab.com/Orion-TSS-review.pdf I have a Counterpoint SA5. preamp that needs to go out to the designer in Cali for repairs, and my amp has 3 blown resistors and I don't have any soldering gear. Sigh.

Aneirin -> RE: The Sales (12/20/2008 6:11:25 PM)
Soldering irons are cheap, solder comes with flux in the core, pliers, well any you have about, but if heatsinking you need to do, a bit of potato works

sub4hire -> RE: The Sales (12/21/2008 8:21:16 AM)
We've had numerous places go out of business here already. Look at the list of stores filing bankruptcy. I think it is option number 3. People are just stupid. They are using the credit they have, while they have it. If they can't pay the bill, they will also file bankruptcy. Just as the news has said. Many people are turning in the keys to their houses now, they would rather take a foreclosure on their record than pay off the mortgage. The gov is entertaining the notion of bailing out even the stupid home owners. Why not bail them out on credit cards as well?

Hippiekinkster -> RE: The Sales (12/21/2008 8:12:29 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Aneirin Soldering irons are cheap, solder comes with flux in the core, pliers, well any you have about, but if heatsinking you need to do, a bit of potato works Yes, I know how to do all that, I just don't have the gear. And good soldering pens aren't all that cheap. The resistors I need to replace are about 1cm in length. Very small leads. I'll bet thornhappy has the gear.

NuevaVida -> RE: The Sales (12/21/2008 10:53:36 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Darcyandthedark My thought is that things aren't as bad as they are portrayed, unless you were stupid enough to get yourself into financial difiiculties in the first place. People use credit cards, take out loans and want more than they can afford. That includes the greed of companies, banks and financial institutions. It's the people with savings that are the only people who should have any sympathy. The people that actually controled their finances and who are now losing out because of the lower rates. And bah humbug - I sent you a card anyways... [;)] Coz I luvs ya. the.dark. Hey sweets...just be sure to remember not everyone with financial difficulties and depleted savings got there because of stupid financial decisions. (Although I guess you could say marrying the wrong man was a stupid financial decision [8D]) To the OP, just about everyone I know is cutting back on spending these days.

bbwatYourservice -> RE: The Sales (12/22/2008 12:31:11 AM)
I live near a mall (ugh, terrible view) but this was the first weekend I've seen the lots nearly full. Usually they are full from the day after Thanksgiving to the day after Christmas. Most people around my neck of the woods held off to see how deep the discounts would go. I think it's a combination...the people who are able ride it out are out spending and the people that know they're already in deep trouble are spending. I work for a debt consolidation company and one woman told me "I'm already four months behind on my mortgage and three months behind on my credit cards why should I care about my student loans? It'll all end up in bankruptcy court." Which isn't exactly the case but spending the money on cheaper Christmas presents was much more important than finding a way to keep her home. It's the people in the middle who are watching their pennies and holding back from spending.

housesub4you -> RE: The Sales (12/22/2008 5:49:08 AM)
I think people are out trying to buy happiness. Won't work...soon gas will be over $3.50 a gallon, prices will skyrocket. I have noticed that while materail items have dropped in price, food has been on a steady increase. Things I bought last month have doubled in price, milk up .50 to $1 more, meats up, veggies up, eggs up,.....everything you eat is up up up. Even bird seed is up, I use to pay $9.99 for 50lb of sunflower seeds, the same bag now is $21.99 (needless to say I don't buy it anymore)

Vendaval -> RE: The Sales (12/28/2008 5:36:21 PM)
Partly it is the number of people who have been laid off or who are facing loosing their jobs or being downsized to part-time status in the coming months or someone else in their family is in that position. Even if people are buying discounted products and services in larger quantities the stores are likely loosing money. The rent for retail businesses does not decrease when business is slower. Plus the stores have to move the inventory at almost any price to make room for the new inventory coming in for spring. If someone has the cash and the space to hold all the bargains they are in a shoppers paradise right now.

Aszhrae -> RE: The Sales (12/28/2008 6:03:14 PM)
Its common knowledge that its not the corporations, banks or government that bails out the economy, its the little guy, the mom and pop store on the corner struggling to make ends meet. Then there is the tendency towards small enterprise. There is one thing that can be guaranteed during financial hardship, it is the corporations, banks and government that are the first to bitch about losing money. They are also the first to scratch each others back.

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