Hope we haven't lost another company

kalynzoo · Post by **kalynzoo** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 1:17 am

I haven't received my scroll saw blades from RBI Hawk industries, so I thought I would give them a call...the recording said they will be closed through March because of the economy. Sounds ominous.

etc92guy · Post by **etc92guy** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 10:56 am

A neighbor works for a small media distribution company. She volunteered to take a month leave without pay but with benefits. They happily agreed.

With the woodworking season in full swing, they hopefully did a month shutdown to conserve cash.

Looks like this is going on all over the place.

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 11:08 am

Yes folks this may get nasty. I'm not sure what will be the final outcome and some scenarios painted by others yield scarey pictures.

One thing good that may come out of all this is a reset of the prices/wages/expense/income to levels where we can once again compete on the world market. So far all we have seen is wages fall with prices actually going up but I think this trend is about to shift and prices will begin to fall. We have Hyundi dealer in town where if you buy their upscale model they will give you another brand new but left over 2007 or 8 model for a $1.
Plus they cut the price of the upscale model almost $5000 of the MSRP.

I think we are going to see a lot of manufactures of overpriced 'trendy or fad' products disappear and manufactures of products that have true intrinsic value rise up and survive.

I hope!

paul heller · Post by **paul heller** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 12:25 pm

I read an interesting article a couple of days ago. I'm sorry, but I forget where it was written. If I can find it, I will post the source. But the article said all sorts of companies, everything from auto dealers to restaurants, are offering two for one offers as a way to give something to the consumer while not reducing prices.

The thinking, which seemed kind of widespread according to the article, is that if you cut the price of something you can never go back (or it is at least very hard). Somehow, two for ones allow the supplier to keep the price high and the consumer to get a good deal. When things turn around again, prices are still what they were.

It is similar to people taking time off instead of salary cuts. When things turn around again, wages are still where they were.

Personally today is a sad day where I live. We had two local newspapers for as long as I have known. Yesterday was the last day for one of them (the older one). The newspaper company was almost 150 years old. Now they are gone.

Paul

paul heller · Post by **paul heller** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 12:27 pm

Found on online version of it:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2 ... eals_N.htm

a1gutterman · Post by **a1gutterman** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 6:20 pm

paul heller wrote:Found on online version of it:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2009-02-25-two-for-one-deals_N.htm

Hi Paul!

I did knot realize that USA Today was a local paper in Colorado. I always thought that it was a "National" paper. Learn something new everyday. I also did knot know that they were nearly 150 years old. It has been available in the Seattle area for some time, but no where near 150 years.

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 6:35 pm

Actually the newspaper that ceased to exist in Denver was the Rocky Mountain News. Thje other paper in Town, The Denver Post is expected to remain for now. fjimp

cincinnati · Post by **cincinnati** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 8:20 pm

Hope all works out for them.

alaskanexile · Post by **alaskanexile** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 8:28 pm

Tim,
Think I remember USA Today starting up. Know I am getting a little long of tooth, but 150 yrs? I must have skipped a few.
Roger

a1gutterman · Post by **a1gutterman** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 8:53 pm

Hi Roger,

I did knot say they were 150 years old, Paul was talking about a local Colorado paper that just went under, and then he said he found an on-line verson of it and provided a link to USA Today...

paul heller wrote:I read an interesting article a couple of days ago. I'm sorry, but I forget where it was written. If I can find it, I will post the source. But the article said all sorts of companies, everything from auto dealers to restaurants, are offering two for one offers as a way to give something to the consumer while not reducing prices.

The thinking, which seemed kind of widespread according to the article, is that if you cut the price of something you can never go back (or it is at least very hard). Somehow, two for ones allow the supplier to keep the price high and the consumer to get a good deal. When things turn around again, prices are still what they were.

It is similar to people taking time off instead of salary cuts. When things turn around again, wages are still where they were.

Personally today is a sad day where I live. We had two local newspapers for as long as I have known. Yesterday was the last day for one of them (the older one). The newspaper company was almost 150 years old. Now they are gone.

Paul

paul heller wrote:Found on online version of it:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/econom...ne-deals_N.htm

I do knot know all that much about USA Today, and was taking Mr. Heller at his word. I know that the USA Today became available to Seattle area residents a lot less then 150 years ago!!!