Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Strategies & Market Trends : The Epic American Credit and Bond Bubble Laboratory -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: mishedlo who wrote (69525)	9/8/2006 4:48:12 PM
From: ggamer	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 110194

One other thing I have noticed is that about half of the people putting gas around me are putting only about $5-$15 worth of gas. This spending is a necessity and from what I see they do not even have the money to put in a full gas of tank. I have a small furniture business online and I have not received an order for more than 3-4 weeks. Two years ago, on the average, I used to get about an order every other day. I work with a huge importer and their business is down about 35%. But what amazes me the most is that a few mortgage brokers around me (family and friends) continue to sell more and more 1%-2% loans. Many things have changed in their business but they are still able make appointments and trick people into these loans. I do not see any change in their life styles and all have kept their two to five homes worth over million dollar each. Go figure !

To: mishedlo who wrote (69525)	9/8/2006 5:07:27 PM
From: Dollars&Sense	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 110194

Just a comment about Applebees. They changed their menu and went cheap on the product. Their problem is that the food isn't any good. They may have done this to maintain their margins. But customers are running away...well at least me.

To: mishedlo who wrote (69525)	9/8/2006 5:29:05 PM
From: Ncohrnt	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 110194

I remember back in '89 or so when fast-food places started doing desperate things like giving away free refills (they never managed to take that back, either)...at BK, they'd bring out your food and give you popcorn while you waited. It was like the Bizzaro World. As for folks not filling their tank up, there could be other factors in play...waiting for prices to come back down, not wanting to lug around the extra weight of a full tank unecessarily, etc. I actually think we as a country might be primed with expectations of lower prices across the board...we remember when prices were lower on houses and energy, and subconsciously expect a reversion to that. Additionally, everything else we've bought for 20 years has lost value and/or been less expensive later...cars, computers, boats, TVs, food (yay Costco!)...on and on and on. So I, Joe Consumer, look around and say, 'Pffft, no need to buy this now!' Well, except for my Quad Venti One-Pump Mocca. That's gone up from 4.98 to 5.24, but I still need it.