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All Forums >> [Bottle Forums] >> Digging and Finding >> How's the economy where you are?

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How's the economy where you are? - 2/10/2010 2:14:09 PM    downeastdigger Posts: 3160 Joined: 8/22/2005 From: Crawling through the mud and briars of Eliot Maine Status: offline This thread might get booted down to "general chat", but I only know the guys on this thread really. I'm just wondering if the economy is as depressed where you all are in your neck of the woods as it is here? I own a small business that is running thread bare these days, and job losses and forclosures is the topic of conversation every day. I turn on the cable News and it sounds like the beginning of the Great Depression. But on the other hand, some how people have enough money to pay $20 bucks to go see Avatar and eat popcorn. And the high end bottle prices are holding strong on Ebay ( the low end stuff has tanked in some cases). If you have a minute, say where you're from, and if things look as bleak where you are. Misery needs company today _____________________________ Bram Get busy diggin, or get busy dyin' These photos show why you can never go bottle digging in New England, and come home "empty" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxpURSe0BBk&feature=related Post #: 1

RE: How's the economy where you are? - 2/10/2010 2:30:35 PM    CanYaDigIt Posts: 1004 Joined: 2/5/2009 From: Back In Sac, CA Status: offline I'll tell you what man.  It's the hardest it's ever been for me these last two years.  It's been a struggle just to make ends meet.  I've had to sell several of my recreational vehicles, jewelery, tools, and of course bottles.  I've been unemployed for what seems like forever.  Shutoff notices are a regular thing for me now and paying the bills is a battle from day to day.  With kids it makes it even harder.  The little work I can scrounge up is just enough to get me by, but barely.  And now I'm truly at the end of my rope.  I got my first call back on a job (after several hundred applications) a couple days ago and have an interview tomorrow.  Being in California I know the competition is going to be huge and fierce, as it's a salary job with benefits and a company vehicle.  It is going to be the biggest interview of my life, because if I don't get the job I think my only option is going to the welfare office.  Wish me luck! _____________________________ Comes a time when the blind man takes your hand, says "Don't you see" (in reply to downeastdigger) Post #: 2

RE: How's the economy where you are? - 2/10/2010 2:32:32 PM    woody Posts: 3646 Joined: 10/29/2002 From: Gilmanton, New Hampshire Status: offline Just as bad, if not worse, here in New Hampshire, Bram. Seems like it hasn't tanked out, yet, either. _____________________________ Woody (in reply to CanYaDigIt) Post #: 3

RE: How's the economy where you are? - 2/10/2010 2:52:29 PM    earlyglass   Posts: 1067 Joined: 12/21/2004 Status: offline Bram, The media always has a way of scaring the hell out of the public. I never get involved in political discussions or (other) but just a couple of thoughts here. Although the country is in a financial crisis that is as bad as any of have seen in our lifetimes, most of us still have our own house, our own cars, and spend crazy money on "glass garbage of yesterday". So, we really are not so bad off. However, the opportunities that we have always known are no longer there. We are not experiencing record-setting real estate appreciation, we are not receiving unsolicited job offers, we are not seeing high-flying technology stocks, etc. To be honest, I think our area (New England) has experienced much less downside than other parts of the country. Real estate in Florida, California, Las Vegas, etc. have taken a much greater slide than we have. The job losses are great evreywhere. However, the country continues to "hand out" money to many people who simply do not deserve it... I won't even go down that road. We are probably starting to come out of this downturn. Wall Street is a good indicator, as it has risen 20-30% in 2009 off it's lows around 7000 (Dow). I look back at the opportunity that I missed just a year ago... GE at $4, Ford at $2... there is always plenty of opportunity to make money. It just takes money... and the rich get richer... and so on. Bottles... compared to general antiques, bottles have been a incredibly strong. There will always be money for the best things, but I am actually encouraged by the prices of everything else. I put some things on Ebay recently, and felt like they really brought a good market value price. It is still a buyer's market for anyone who has money to throw around, but most of do not. It is easy to see so much doom and gloom, but there are plenty of things to get excited about. March is right around the corner, and many treasures to be found!! Mike (in reply to downeastdigger) Post #: 4

RE: How's the economy where you are? - 2/10/2010 3:08:19 PM    madpaddla Posts: 4141 Joined: 12/29/2005 From: The great state of New England Status: offline Bram, I agree with the rest of the comments.  I think the economy is like a bruise at this point.  If you have ever seen a bruise heal it gets that yellow, purple, blue tinge to it just before it gets better.  So its the healing process.  Although the economy has I think straightened out many Americans.  We (Americans) are saving more than we ever have.  Last thought, is that pieces of Art and collectibles are in demand.  Why?  Because it is safer than the money markets, stocks, and bonds.  I heard a report on NPR as to why Antiques, etc have maintained or increased in value, and its due in most part to it being a safer place to store ones money.  Best of luck Bram.  _____________________________ Ebay stuff http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZspliffybigfeetQQhtZ-1 Best Radar from the VA - OH- ME. Excellent must SEE http://www.atmos.albany.edu/products/radarne/radarloop.htm (in reply to earlyglass) Post #: 5

RE: How's the economy where you are? - 2/10/2010 3:17:24 PM    cyberdigger Posts: 12301 Joined: 11/29/2008 From: I 195 @ US 9, NJ USA Status: online I hate to say it, but things are shaping up around here a bit.. they're going back and finishing many of the housing developments which were left half-finished in '08, especially the condos.. I'm busier this winter than I usually am in a "good year's winter" ..cost of living is up 10% across the board, though, from '08.. and I have quite a bit of credit card debt from muddling through the last 2 years, so all is not rosy.. but to me it seems the worst is over.. also with all these blizzards, the food stores, hardware stores, and gas stations are loving life!  (in reply to earlyglass) Post #: 6

RE: How's the economy where you are? - 2/10/2010 4:07:11 PM    coreya Posts: 792 Joined: 4/30/2007 From: Summerfield, Fl Status: offline Here in central Florida ( marion county to be specific) the economy as a whole is still on a downward spiral. The talking heads on the local news keep saying that the unemployment rate is 10-11 % but I believe it is closer to 15-20% as most have givin up looking or moved out of the area. Most of our problems here are because there has been no industry attracted and just developments going up right and left making ours a service economy. A lot of those developments are now sitting empty or are bank owned. I'm retired law enforcement and up until this last year had my own business doing title abstracts for realestate transactions. ( you can guess where that went to) Business went to 0 due to the realestate crash and companies taking the work overseas ( Yes chances are if you buy property the line marked title search is being done by someone in India for 6 bucks of course the attorney's are still charging 265$ for it since the attorneys own the companies doing this). I have sent out over 100 resume's and had 1 call for an interview at sam's club for the jewelery counter. Thank God for a pension and owning my place free and clear (even though its value has dropped 2/3rd) as things here have not hit bottom yet. I keep looking for the bright side but for my 55 yoa eyes its getting harder and harder. At least I have 20 acres and a gun so we will always have something to eat!!! (in reply to cyberdigger) Post #: 7

RE: How's the economy where you are? - 2/10/2010 4:16:46 PM    div2roty   Posts: 1542 Joined: 12/23/2008 From: DC with a Delaware Antique Store Status: offline quote: Wall Street is a good indicator I don't believe that it is that good of an indicator. Stocks went up last year, but spending and employment didn't in my neck of the woods. _____________________________ Collector of Delaware Bottles, figural bitters, early freeblown. Ebay Antique Store (in reply to coreya) Post #: 8

RE: How's the economy where you are? - 2/10/2010 4:26:38 PM    earlyglass   Posts: 1067 Joined: 12/21/2004 Status: offline All regions are different, but overall, as a rough estimate, Wall Street will forcast where we (Main Street) will be 6-9 months down the road. The stock market was plummetting 6 months before we felt the recession at home, and now that we are experiencing the pain... wall street is climbing again. It is the trickle down affect from Wall Street to Main Street. Corporations have to do some serios layoffs and cutbacks to show a profit... we feel these cutbacks during the corporate restructuring and for months to come after that. I'm not a financial guy at all, just my perception. (in reply to div2roty) Post #: 9

RE: How's the economy where you are? - 2/10/2010 4:29:42 PM    cyberdigger Posts: 12301 Joined: 11/29/2008 From: I 195 @ US 9, NJ USA Status: online Many of the fine folks who work on Wall St live near me, which might explain where I'm coming from.. (in reply to earlyglass) Post #: 10

RE: How's the economy where you are? - 2/10/2010 4:45:52 PM    crozet86 Posts: 684 Joined: 2/17/2004 From: Charlottesville va. / Buena Vista Va. Status: offline I am in the foothills of the blue ridge mts. in va. I am a heating and ac contractor and i can say the work has only decreased as the economy supposedly is getting better.I use to do alot of new houses installs and have done zero this year just service calls. Our local paper says unemployment rate is lower than it has been in 2 years.They must be office jobs they are talking about cause no construction going on at all.I now plan to go out of town to work when spring comes and that means paying hotel,eating out travel time etc. taking most of what i will make before i see any.Overall i feel it will take another year or two around here for things to get close to what they were a few years ago.Wish all of you the best in these rough times. _____________________________ CENTRAL VIRGINIA DIGGER EDDIE ROCKBRIDGE - ALLEGHENY ANTIQUE BOTTLE CLUB (in reply to cyberdigger) Post #: 11

RE: How's the economy where you are? - 2/10/2010 5:22:38 PM    CanYaDigIt Posts: 1004 Joined: 2/5/2009 From: Back In Sac, CA Status: offline I personally think anything that Wall St is showing is a bunch of crap.  Stocks started to increase after the bailout because they were cheep and it was a good gamble.  Once the numbers stared back up, the public started to relax a bit, but still no spending.  People started (and still are) about how thing were starteing to level out and improve, but nobody was seeing it.  Then the unemployment numbers kept rising, and rising, and rising.  Now people are staring to question how sturdy all the positive numbers really were and are.  Of course, with no results to back anything up, stocks are going back down.  It's all really a head game.  As long as the numbers on Wall St stay high, panic is avoided.  If the numbers drop back down again, the people with the "real" money will stop spending.  The federal unemployment numbers are BS and WAY too low.  They don't account for the millions that can't find full time work, or have given up trying.  The Federal numbers are more realistically closer to 12%-15%.  Of course, this is all just an opinion. _____________________________ Comes a time when the blind man takes your hand, says "Don't you see" (in reply to crozet86) Post #: 12

RE: How's the economy where you are? - 2/10/2010 6:15:32 PM    Bent_Twig Posts: 461 Joined: 10/8/2008 From: Northern Ohio Status: offline I am from Northern Ohio, and there are more jobs leaving than comming!! I lost my job of 16 years due to our borders being wide open. Why pay a union auto worker when a Mexican will work for $5 and no benifits.The only way these factories will stay is if you accept minimum wage/no benifits/no retirement. Obama says"create new jobs!!' How bout keeping the ones that are here RIGHT HERE!!!!! I have dropped at least 150 applications/resume's off at places and have not recieved one call. I see no improvement here at all. My buddy called and told me he is losing his job at Mayflower due to it moving to Mexico also.       By the way, when it comes to the auto industry , this has all been done to make new cars more affordable. I sure dont see that!! And who the hail can afford one??????                        Twig. < Message edited by Bent_Twig -- 2/10/2010 6:18:14 PM > (in reply to CanYaDigIt) Post #: 13

RE: How's the economy where you are? - 2/10/2010 6:17:58 PM    rando   Posts: 71 Joined: 1/20/2008 From: Lehigh Valley Status: offline Hey Guys, I work for an auction company and these people still spend to no end week after week! Not just collectors, alot are dealers also and if they are willing to plunk out the money, they have to have somewhere or someone to buy it. Some of these dealers do not even bother with ebay at all, they have co-ops or some hit places like the Black Angus to sell their wares. As for the collectors alot are blue collar type, just hardcore auction goers! Randy (in reply to CanYaDigIt) Post #: 14

RE: How's the economy where you are? - 2/10/2010 6:38:47 PM    toddrandolph   Posts: 295 Joined: 1/29/2010 From: Randolph, Ohio (near Akron) Status: offline I'm from NE Ohio and the economy here is still very bad. Unemployment I think here is around 12-14 percent and up to 17 percent around Youngstown and those are just the official numbers. I have been lucky to keep my job so far. Real estate prices are still way down, in fact, Portage County actually lowered values this year during reappraisal. News of businesses closing and more layoffs still seems like almost a daily occurence. The antique business in these parts is horrible, but this is only partly due to the economy. Decorating tastes change, and antiques are not the cool thing right now. I'm wondering if this may change, as buying antiques is cheaper than buying new. For those with money to spend, there are some good deals in this area. (in reply to downeastdigger) Post #: 15

RE: How's the economy where you are? - 2/10/2010 6:40:23 PM    VA is for Diggers Posts: 368 Joined: 9/6/2008 From: G-Ville VA Status: offline It has been very slow in new construction in the past 2 years; homeowners are finally saving money and of course the credit companies are not lending. I feel that there will be a time when people will have to spend money on remodeling, painting, new cars, appliances, etc...It's hard to say when, but it will probably be slow and during nicer months without ongoing blizzards. The stock market in my opinion is not a great indicator of how things are going, and actually  seems like it artificially boosts it. Let's hope things get better soon. As for bottle collecting, a cheap way of getting bottles is to dig them! lol.  (in reply to downeastdigger) Post #: 16

RE: How's the economy where you are? - 2/10/2010 6:52:48 PM    Brian M   Posts: 78 Joined: 2/3/2008 From: Bay City Michigan Status: offline Things here in Mid Michigan are not any better. I think the state unemployment is now around 15%. I work for the local power company and so far my line of work in the equipment/performance area is pretty secure, but the gas department told us yesterday that they are cutting 81 jobs because of the decrease in new hook ups. I know many folks who work for GM and lost their jobs last year. There isn't much industry left in the state, Gov. says we are going green and will create a million new green energy jobs, I doubt it. I have been to some auctions and sales, the places were packed with people spending good money. You wouldn't think that we are in a recession. I hope things turn around for everyone who are hurting. The last year was an eye opener for me. I am paying off all of my debt and saving money, incase things turn bad for me. I will at least be debt free and able to get buy with much less. I wish everyone good luck. Brian (in reply to VA is for Diggers) Post #: 17

RE: How's the economy where you are? - 2/10/2010 6:53:37 PM    downeastdigger Posts: 3160 Joined: 8/22/2005 From: Crawling through the mud and briars of Eliot Maine Status: offline Thanks for all your replies, REALLY interesting stuff. I wish everyone my best for the upcoming year. Mike (early glass) I have to put myself in the camp of thinking the stock market is no longer a dependable indicator as to what is coming. I think we are in to new territory in terms of the economy world wide. The value of the U.S. dollar, and the amount of debt our country has, puts us in a place we've never really been before, and old cycles and models can no longer be followed in my opinion. Maybe it's just because of my situation with my business, but for the first time in my life, I'd have to label myself a pessimist. I can't see a happy ending to this mess any time soon. And with that in mind, I hope I am wrong and you (Mike) are right. Keep on posting, it's very interesting perspective. _____________________________ Bram Get busy diggin, or get busy dyin' These photos show why you can never go bottle digging in New England, and come home "empty" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxpURSe0BBk&feature=related (in reply to downeastdigger) Post #: 18

RE: How's the economy where you are? - 2/10/2010 7:05:14 PM    Jim Posts: 3630 Joined: 7/5/2005 From: Lewistown, PA Status: offline I'm not buying into the whole "worst is over, we've turned the corner" BS, either. Being in the automotive repair business, I have been doing well. People are keeping their vehicles longer out of necessity, and are more willing to invest in keeping them on the road. 48 to 72 months of $400-600+ vehicle payments is just not an option for them. I have many good friends and customers who are out of work or only working part-time. Until the business climate in our state and country improves, a real recovery is not going to happen around here. We have had a few new businesses start up locally, and I hope they make it and stick around. Unfortunately, for every one that comes, another three or four have left. We need to cut taxes for all businesses, small, medium and large, and reduce the burdensome regulatory structure to common-sense necessities only. Any business is there to make a profit. If the government makes that too hard or impossible, that business will close up or head overseas. The private sector is essential to providing a good living for our citizens and driving our economy. Government jobs and "stimulus" boondoggles are not the answer. Without the private sector, who will be left to pay for them? _____________________________ Preserving our buried history, one pit at a time. http://www.freewebs.com/lewistownbottles/index.htm (in reply to VA is for Diggers) Post #: 19

RE: How's the economy where you are? - 2/10/2010 7:19:21 PM    downeastdigger Posts: 3160 Joined: 8/22/2005 From: Crawling through the mud and briars of Eliot Maine Status: offline I agree. I've been in business for 22 years. I have to sell my banquet hall this summer, and I am going to take a bath on it. Sales were off, and no bank could refinance, not even CLOSE. Normally I would just take my lumps and come back fighting. Take a month off, then start a new business of some sort. But with the things you just mentioned, guys like me wind up saying " what the hell am I doing this for?" There are just too many things working against you. Even "tax free" New Hampshire, where my business is, is introducing some bs thing called an LLC tax, which I would have to pay. I spent half my day today trying to fill out "forms" for the government, just useless paperwork, where I have to read all this crap then fill out business census type information, like I have time to do that. Maybe it's just me, cause some guys are still hangin in there. As of now, I just feel like I'm done. I'll dig and sell bottles, and grow a crop of Arugula or something. ( am I whining now?) _____________________________ Bram Get busy diggin, or get busy dyin' These photos show why you can never go bottle digging in New England, and come home "empty" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxpURSe0BBk&feature=related (in reply to Jim) Post #: 20

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