The Economy

[pottsgroverc]

I don't want to turn this into a political discussion or anything. But with all the talk of the down economy, I hear a lot rumors at the LHS's. One thing that concerns me is they are talking about cutting back on the racing programs this year, because the economy is downsliding. I ask them if there sales have shown a decline. Then I can understand the hold back. But they say no, not really. What worries me is if they cut back on the racing program, we may have racers lose some interest, then their sales will be cut back. Was just wondering if anyone else heard this talk in their LHS's or maybe some of the admins could give a national opinion on the subject.

[Rich64]

Don't know about that.But,I'd like to get a paint roller and paint " It's the fuel prices stupid" on the sides of my trailer and then drive around the beltway and anywhere else I can drive a tractor trailer in the DC area. But,I doubt they would get the hint anyway.

[pottsgroverc]

I'm no economist, but when I drive by a mall or strip center (while I am working) @ 2:00 in the afternoon and the parking lot is full (so not only are people not working, but they are shopping), I just can't see the economy being that bad.

[Daveo]

Don't know about that.But,I'd like to get a paint roller and paint " It's the fuel prices stupid" on the sides of my trailer and then drive around the beltway and anywhere else I can drive a tractor trailer in the DC area. But,I doubt they would get the hint anyway.


Unfortunatley it is worse than that. The value of the dollar keeps falling and now we are have rampant inflation. So the Fed is going to have a harder time decreasing intrest rates because that will caues more inflation. Not decreasing interest rate puts the brakes on stimulating the economy. With a low value currency and inflation things are going to get bad. And as you know, when the united states sneezes, the world catches a cold. No matter how bad it is here, in the rest of the world it will be much worse!!!

[Greg B]

I belive that the Media reports to much on it and people will pretty much belive everything they hear. Every election year they start the samething.
I belive sales have been down but I belive for the most part, people are holding on to their money.


Greg B.

[Philderbeast]

I ain't holding on to my money, i throw it everywhere. Tower hobbies just got 550 from me and soon to be another 500. Not to mention all the other crap I buy stupidly, i.e. revell RPMZ, what a waste of cash.

[OldSchoolRC]

I belive that the Media reports to much on it and people will pretty much belive everything they hear. Every election year they start the samething.
I belive sales have been down but I belive for the most part, people are holding on to their money.


Greg B.

it's funny, i heard a poll the other day on the radio - when asked about the economy, 88% of people said it was bad or in trouble, which is way up... BUT when asked how they are doing personally, only 30% or so said their situation was bad which is right around the average for the past 2 years or so.

the personal % hasn't changed, but the opinion of the economy as a whole has....The media is doing a wonderful job of beating up on it and once again making the news. nationally, we might have some issues certainly to keep an eye out, but it hasn't really hit the populace yet (unless you bought a house out of your means)

Sorry, i am a news hack too. :) i should have listed that under my other hobbies. I am doing my part to bring the ecomomy back to life also, lol. As long as my job is still selling, we're good and i'm still spending!! the local HS doesn't seem any less packed on the weekends, that's for sure.

[focus07]

I dont see the economy affecting our LHS's, one got my money for a AX-10 and another got my money for a 1/8th buggy and a Jammin CRT.5. And both are doing well. Unfortunatley we had 2 other ones close down but not due to the economy, one closed down cause she wanted to move on and try something different and another was a large part due to the weather. He thrived on the racing scene, he had a awesome indoor carpet and off road track, a nice outdoor track but the snow and crappy weather we have been having here in Iowa forced him to close. There's another hobby shop a couple of hours away that will be setting up a rock crawler course so I might try and check it out this summer.

P.S. I will admit I work for WalMart and sales are good even on the non essentials

[Pistonhead29]

I ain't holding on to my money, i throw it everywhere. Tower hobbies just got 550 from me and soon to be another 500. Not to mention all the other crap I buy stupidly, i.e. revell RPMZ, what a waste of cash.
I like this guy, sounds like me but he spends more. I am in the $500 club to THob, $150 on Ebay, $110 on Stormer and I keep a good eye on Craigs all the time for used deals. I wish it were just a case of spending, I would happily keep spending away on the hobby. Gas and groceries is where it will be hitting me more than it already does. I do the bills and grocery shopping in my household and I see it every time I go to the grocery store or gas up. Its nuts! I am ready to pull out the bike and use it as my primary transportation using the truck for getting groceries or longer trips across town. I think the media makes it worst though by being so public saying things are spiraling out of control. This urges some to sell sell sell and I think this is part of the problem. I hate to wonder what kind of hit my 401K has taken over the past year.

Locally one shop has already shut down, the other operates from home so if he shuts down it likely would be due to lack of consumer spending.

Oh and if/when the tax rebate check gets here I would happily spend it at a Wally world but we have plans for landscaping projects on our property so the money will go to local equipment renting companies, Lowes/Home Depot and I might find a way to scoot some of it into a tower order. :)

[pottsgroverc]

Yes, I must remember to thank the good old U.S. of A for my track fees for the year. It is almost like I get to race for free this year. (I know it is actually my money just coming back to me, but it is a good thought none-the-less.)

[Philderbeast]

According to my calculations, @ $3.00 per gallon of gas, it will cost me roughly $120.00 to fill my suburban(40 gallon tank), $75.00 to fill my Ram 1500, $55-$60 bucks to fill my work car, and $40.00 to fill my wifes civic. Luckily I now work close to home, (5 miles), so it does help some there. I was putting 70 miles a day, sometimes 3-4 times that on my Ram, but I quit that job, sold out my sick & vacation time and my 401 wich was not worth much anymore...$14,500 roughly. After 10 years of me and my employer both contributing 3%, I end up there. WOW, what a good savings that turned out to be.:mad: :( :confused:

[OldSchoolRC]

ouch!!! $80+ to fill my POS F-150! and it gets 9-12 mpg so it sits most of the time. i traded in my cobra back when gas hit 3/gal the first time, my job moved another 20 miles out and i was paying $70/week in gas. Got a civic now, i traded fun for economy. boooorrriinnnnngggg.