Quote from flytiger:
I had to swing by the local Texaco dealer. Most honest guys in town. They get a lot of Palm Beachers (at least they used to) for service. It was a Saturday, three guys, lifts empty. I was bsing with the owner, said I need service, bang.!!! On the rack. Total service, no wait.
He said people are waiting for them to break. I saw this in 88/89. A guy had his car on the lift, the owner/mechanic told him he had no breaks. The guy said, bring it down, I'll pay for the service, and out he went.
So, here you have the consumer, not maintaining the second biggest asset he owns. One in which he probably has some sort of testosterone attachment. He just waits for it to break.
Transpose that to movies, ball games, dining, entertainment, etc. etc. etc. Maybe not soccer moms, but folks are getting the hint. The owner told me he has stocked up on ammo. Go figure.
Quote from ByLoSellHi:
This is definitely true. People are hanging on to their cars much, much longer, and even forgoing basic maintenance.
I think Home Depot & Lowe's are going to see much rougher times, also, as housing won't recover anytime soon, people can't do any major home improvements as they can't or won't (even if they can) any more equity for such purposes from their homes...
Quote from Landis82:
I would actually agree with your claim.
The American people aren't able to see anything past their nose.
Ever have a chat with a local "soccer-mom" from the suburbs about where the Economy is, or anything to do with national politics, legislation, etc?
It's nearly impossible, due largely in part because their world is so "narrow" that it no longer requires them to use HALF of their brain cells.
They believe that what they don't "know" can't hurt them.
It's the "easier" way to live.
On another note, I predict that the divorce rate will SOAR during this economic contraction. I would be the first to admit that it doesn't make any sense given the current financial constraints that can occur during a recession that results in job less, less income, etc., but many women that I have come across have never been rational about what they feel they deserve, and what they feel they are entitled to.
Sad, but I believe true.
The masses are still pacified.
Women, even more so.
Quote from NeoRio1:
Do you seriously think women are that dumb?
There is already documented evidence that the divorce rate has already been falling sense the beginning of this recession.
Women may be much more spoiled than they use to be but that surely doesn't mean they are going to lose all financial stability and a house because their husband can't give them as many vacations as they want.
You thinking the divorce rate is going to increase in this recession would be like me saying that incomes will be going up even though historically incomes always fall in recessions.
No depth of thinking.
Quote from domestic:
just like the simple thinkers who thought the real estate boom would never end; the chicken littles see no end to this recession. i will never change their minds (although they are prolific writers; they are not intelligent). you guys can buy your ammo while i position myself for the recovery. continue scaring yourselves sleepless while i get your assets cheap.
Quote from ByLoSellHi:
Yeah, do us yourself a favor, before you go on your investment spree, lest you wind up all the poorer for it.
Ask yourself where new, stable, high wage employment will come from in the U.S.
If you don't or can't answer, you need to reassess your sunshine in a cup optimism.
Quote from domestic:
i am not optimistic; all that i am aware of is of economic cycles. how come in all your rants and pasted links you never balance yourself with the historical facts regarding what drove us out of each recession in the past 35 years?
lastly, as stocktrader posts bullish nonsense with some loose facts ....how are you any different with all your pasted pessimism? when the economy roars back (housing recovery will get your stable employment) i will expect you to come here and admit what a crying pussy you actually are.