Submitted by Appliance Stallion on Thu, 09/17/2009 - 6:54pm.
My wife and I were out looking at automobles and some furniture. Business was so strong at the dealers we went to that they did not have enough sales people to deal with the traffic. The stores were very busy too.It would appear at least temporarily that the downturn is reversing itself. Too early to tell. I am sure for the sales people on the appliance floors it is still uncertain given that is your livelhood. I wish everyone would go out and buy something from all of you. The cartoon reminds of a clean up garage sale we had. Things we would sell for a dollar people would attempt to nitpick down to .50 cents. I could not handle that. The cartoon is precious. No more garage sales for me ever. I would rather give it away then to listen to people whine. I would not be good at retail sales. You who do have all of my respect and more.
Submitted by Bermuda Bob on Thu, 09/17/2009 - 9:31pm.
As par of my recovery, they want me to walk as much as I can daily, so my wife and I decided to mix it up and walk the malls and free standing stores daily ... not prone to squandering an opportunity, and as an old marketing major from college, we've observed the following:
1. We, like you have noticed plenty of people in the mall but few carrying many bags ... are they simply window shopping ... gazing longingly @ what they formerly were able to purchase by plopping the plastic ???
2. We noticed that many niche market stores are replacing some of the main stream designer type stores ... few main line stores are expanding (except for Apple) and few look like they are thinking about doing much to upgrade for the holidays ...
3. We noticed that more and more marginally profitable items are on sale in the Big Box Stores ... leaving higher ticket items to languish until the next time they needs to be dusted !!!
4. We noticed that in a place like Best Buys, they are selling more NetBooks as opposed to traditional LapTops ... and this includes to students !!! I've postulated that while their profit margin is lower, they might just be making it up on volume ... and ... of course, on manufacturer & wireless carrier subsidies !!!
Bye dee vay, Stallion ... we have an annual Garage Sale in the condo complex we live in ... each year, I purposely refuse to price anything in favour of a sign that sez: "PLEASE MAKE US AN OFFER ... WE DON'T INSULT THAT EASILY" ... Each year we practically sell out, make more than anyone else, and are actually pleasantly surprised what people will offer you !!! Try it ... it's amazing !!!
Submitted by Appliance Stallion on Fri, 09/18/2009 - 4:14pm.
If I have another garage sale where people come and look to lower the price I swear I will break it over their heads. I have not the patience. Maybe my children do but I can't. Imagine me selling high end appliances in a dealer store ? Wow. I will stick to design and manufacturing.I will send you my stuff on consignment to sell ?
Consumer Traffic
My wife and I were out looking at automobles and some furniture. Business was so strong at the dealers we went to that they did not have enough sales people to deal with the traffic. The stores were very busy too.It would appear at least temporarily that the downturn is reversing itself. Too early to tell. I am sure for the sales people on the appliance floors it is still uncertain given that is your livelhood. I wish everyone would go out and buy something from all of you. The cartoon reminds of a clean up garage sale we had. Things we would sell for a dollar people would attempt to nitpick down to .50 cents. I could not handle that. The cartoon is precious. No more garage sales for me ever. I would rather give it away then to listen to people whine. I would not be good at retail sales. You who do have all of my respect and more.
Observations ...
As par of my recovery, they want me to walk as much as I can daily, so my wife and I decided to mix it up and walk the malls and free standing stores daily ... not prone to squandering an opportunity, and as an old marketing major from college, we've observed the following:
1. We, like you have noticed plenty of people in the mall but few carrying many bags ... are they simply window shopping ... gazing longingly @ what they formerly were able to purchase by plopping the plastic ???
2. We noticed that many niche market stores are replacing some of the main stream designer type stores ... few main line stores are expanding (except for Apple) and few look like they are thinking about doing much to upgrade for the holidays ...
3. We noticed that more and more marginally profitable items are on sale in the Big Box Stores ... leaving higher ticket items to languish until the next time they needs to be dusted !!!
4. We noticed that in a place like Best Buys, they are selling more NetBooks as opposed to traditional LapTops ... and this includes to students !!! I've postulated that while their profit margin is lower, they might just be making it up on volume ... and ... of course, on manufacturer & wireless carrier subsidies !!!
Bye dee vay, Stallion ... we have an annual Garage Sale in the condo complex we live in ... each year, I purposely refuse to price anything in favour of a sign that sez: "PLEASE MAKE US AN OFFER ... WE DON'T INSULT THAT EASILY" ... Each year we practically sell out, make more than anyone else, and are actually pleasantly surprised what people will offer you !!! Try it ... it's amazing !!!
Bob the Garage Sale Guru
If I have another garage sale where people come and look to lower the price I swear I will break it over their heads. I have not the patience. Maybe my children do but I can't. Imagine me selling high end appliances in a dealer store ? Wow. I will stick to design and manufacturing.I will send you my stuff on consignment to sell ?