Small Businesses Want to Know Where Are The Customers

originally posted by: wavelength

originally posted by: Annee

Depends on how you look at it.

I'm 76 -- seen a lot of changes.

Of course. There are positive and negative changes everywhere in life.
People having to shutter their businesses, no matter the reason, is always sad. You can cry "adapt, adapt" all you want, but for long time business owners, it's not so easy.

Yes, my ex-hubby and I had a business.

But I remember when every neighborhood and a local "mom/pop" market.

You took your Red Flyer and walked to the market.

There was a time Capitalism made sense.

a reply to: Annee

It made sense because you were self supporting. Now it doesn't because you are fixed income at 75.

a reply to: gb540

Typically at my level there are not issues...but I don't work for mom and pop type shops. I am a production electrician as well as moving light programmer for corporate events mostly but I still do some concert/touring stuff. Currently getting between 50-60$ an hour for my usual gigs and upwards of 75$ as a programmer. Day rates are based on a minimum 10hr day and I charge in 5hr blocks after that...first 5 is OT second 5 is DT. I regularly get days during show where I get paid for 15hrs and I literally sit on my laptop and play games. I have been staying very busy too...its not like I am getting just 1 show a month.

originally posted by: Annee

originally posted by: NorthOfStuff

I think we’re watching society implode in slow motion.

I think it's just evolving and changing.

Hopefully you’re right but at this point I see nearly everything devolving.

Ordo Ab Chao?

a reply to: NorthOfStuff

In the entertainment world we are experiencing a shortage of labor...but the new folks can only help so much as it takes a few years experience and some personal drive to learn the skills to advance before you are capable of filling the current gaps and be helpful. Hence why I am able to demand a premium on my rates because my clients are racing to fill lead positions before all the decent guys are booked up.

originally posted by: Annee

originally posted by: NorthOfStuff

I think we’re watching society implode in slow motion.

I think it's just evolving and changing.

Well I do see new businesses growing, just not that ole niche type stores. I have a hobby lobby and it barely carries my 'niche' needs. Most of the time i waste money and time looking for parts for projects and shipping cost. The day and age for the crafters, hobbist's are getting harder. Prices alone on specific paints are almost cost prohibited.

a reply to: Ahabstar

I stopped going grocery shopping almost a year ago. I buy a few things monthly but absolutely nothing perishable. We go out for meals now...found that we wasted over half of the perishables we bought due to working so much and not wanting to get home after a long day and cook. I know a few others who do similarly too so I doubt sit down restaurants well go away...just the bad places.

a reply to: KMeRMoRe

That's very interesting as here is vegas business is booming!

a reply to: Bluntone22

That was my experience as well. Every single place I've been has been packed to the brim with people, even during the middle of the workday. I'm not sure what others are seeing, but business is booming in my area and the closest city. As for restaurant locations, yeah, fast food has sucked for a while now, which is a net positive for me; I no longer patronize them.

originally posted by: ketsuko
a reply to: Annee

It made sense because you were self supporting. Now it doesn't because you are fixed income at 75.

The difference between capitalism and socialism was spelled out thousands of years ago in a book that isn't read as often now, and now we see the same mindset as history teeters on the brink of repeating itself and the gov creates circumstances forcing people to rely on the programs they create.

2 Thessalonians 3:6-12 - Warning Against Idleness2

3:7 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”
11 We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat.

a reply to: JAGStorm

Small Businesses Want to Know Where Are The Customers

Well in my region, there's a new kind of auction site
called M@C Discount . They are auctioning off the
returns and closeouts from big box stores. Winners
pick up their stuff at the local M@C auction site.

This will probably get even more popular as the economy
tanks , people get laid off, and return items that they
bought when they had a job.

This will become the next big E-commerce thing.

a reply to: Hypntick

Restaurants are going to take a beating next year.
I went to a buffalo wing place for lunch last weekend and lunch for three cost me $106.
$86+$20 tip..
My wife got onion rings and those were $10!

I think people will be cutting back when the new year starts

Guess it depends where you live.

Here it's the polar opposite, But I also live on an island. Some days it feels like a damn zombie movie, walmart especially. Completely gutted. Lotta stuff is up 20+% or more. Been stocking up on some items as I feel like it's going to get worse before it gets better. Supply chains to an Island are usually crap even in the best of times.

a reply to: RickyD

Vegas is a different animal from the majority of the US. We don’t get comp rooms and minimal cost dinners due to the gambling industry.

Like how in various parts of the greater Detroit area you would get a ridiculous amount of breakfast for $3-$5 15 years ago. You don’t now as most places eventually closed about 10 years ago. Even Little Caesars $5 Hot and Ready is $7.50-$9.00 now.

Consumable crafts such as soap making is still selling, for now.

a reply to: Ahabstar

Prices have actually gone up quite a bit here too...also the strip is hella marked up compared to the rest of town. I only go down to freemont or the strip for work...never really go any other time. A hot and ready is as you say and places who used to have amazing specials like steak and eggs for 8$ have doubled price if not double and some. Its just that in a lot of areas labor is very short....especially good labor. That creates conditions for people to demand more and companies will pay because guess what...they are also charging more to their clients and so willing to pay to ensure their work gets done faster and correctly so they can keep bringing in the money.

From what I am observing when out, most of the local stores did not do that well this shopping season. I am thinking that more and more people are buying online now. People are still buying stuff from what I am hearing, but not that much locally in this area compared to a few years ago.

Lots of people out buying foods when on sale though, but the stores often run out of the sales items pretty fast, the sales start on sunday, if you go later than monday noon, lots of the good food deals are sold out.

originally posted by: nugget1

originally posted by: ketsuko
a reply to: Annee

It made sense because you were self supporting. Now it doesn't because you are fixed income at 75.

The difference between capitalism and socialism was spelled out thousands of years ago in a book that isn't read as often now, and now we see the same mindset as history teeters on the brink of repeating itself and the gov creates circumstances forcing people to rely on the programs they create.

2 Thessalonians 3:6-12 - Warning Against Idleness2

3:7 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. 9 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.”
11 We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. 12 Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat.

It's really amazing how a book written thousands of years ago describes perfectly what is happening in our 'modern' world.

2 Timothy 3:1-5
King James Version
3 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Yet it is one of the few things that is allowed to be openly mocked by any and everyone.

a reply to: Annee

All that -- plus stores have cut back on products and only have basics. Most basics you can get at Walmart (or similar)

Because of the diesel fuel/California trucking fiasco. Thanks to the enviro climate change people. Activism has consequences.

originally posted by: ThirdEyeofHorus
a reply to: Annee

All that -- plus stores have cut back on products and only have basics. Most basics you can get at Walmart (or similar)

Because of the diesel fuel/California trucking fiasco. Thanks to the enviro climate change people. Activism has consequences.

No idea what you're talking about.

So, humans should not think responsibly about environment?

But, Hey! What do Carl Sagan and Neil DeGrasse Tyson know?

Neil DeGrasse Tyson reveals the causes of man-made Climate Change in a simple way through Carl Sagan, easy to follow explanations, and stunning visual models. He creates an intuitive understanding of humanity's damaging influence on both the environment and on our civilization's future. www.youtube.com...