Is recession keeping your projects on hold?
#1
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Is recession keeping your projects on hold?
I know its keeping all mine on hold right now. I have a complete Diamond Back mtb bike in garage and all I need are bars and tires. My bike money is going to racing fees. At least....I have a job at the moment.
Just venting....
Just venting....
#2
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It hasn't hit me directly yet, but our production guys have had big layoffs and there are strong rumors that some of us in the office will have to take pay cuts. If that happens, I guess I'll have the time to complete a few projects for myself and flip a few others. I hope it won't get worse than that.
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My wife is a school teacher here in California (socal, at the "O.C"). She just read me an email last night on a bunch of possible cost cutting measures (salary cuts, program cuts, benefits cuts). Our kid's school enrollment is about 500 and considered one of the "smaller" schools. At least, closing smallers schools was on the bottom of the list. They have other options. I hear central California is getting hit hard.
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I have put all my pet projects on hold. I have not placed an ebay bid this year. I own my own business & it's hitting me hard. The bright side is that it will be sunny & 65 this afternoon & riding is free!
#7
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I just baulked on purchasing a full '92 Chorus group for a real good price. While I have not been directly affected you can't hardly walk by a newspaper stand the emanates horrid economic times. Some one else bought the group and so I am glad that I didn't HAVE to buy it
#8
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We ARE getting hit pretty damn hard in SoCal/Central Cal. (We've often debated which the area I live in qualifies as...)
I get paid almost *NOTHING,* so building a certain capagnolo NR-equipped project of my up $20 a week is a very daunting experience.
Yep. And those of us who own businesses (like embankmentlb or my girlfriend's pa) are having a VERY hard time.
I worry that the 5 media corporations that own our lives will be all that survives this mess some days.
I get paid almost *NOTHING,* so building a certain capagnolo NR-equipped project of my up $20 a week is a very daunting experience.
Yep. And those of us who own businesses (like embankmentlb or my girlfriend's pa) are having a VERY hard time.
I worry that the 5 media corporations that own our lives will be all that survives this mess some days.
#9
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It's spurred me to get all the things I've been wanting to upgrade, stock and reorganize my workshop. Fixing bikes (among other things) might be all I got to generate income if I happen to become unemployed for a long period of time, so I figure, get what I still need while the gettin is good (aka, I got a job).
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
#10
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I've serioulsy slowed down on everything. I'm not shaking in my boots about the job situation, but seeing so many layoffs makes it hard not to put a little extra away while it's there to put away.
I do keep an eye open for deals on parts though.
I do keep an eye open for deals on parts though.
#12
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I have been out of work for 5 weeks and counting, and this is the first gap ever in my 32-year professional career. I am finally getting the first few nibbles, call-backs, teaching auditions, etc., and my employer may be able to re-capitalize and re-launch in several weeks, but in the meantime I have put my household on a semi-austerity budget.
Fortunately, I have all the bikes and cars I want or need, but I am focused strictly on proper maintenance, instead of fancy upgrades of any kind.
Fortunately, I have all the bikes and cars I want or need, but I am focused strictly on proper maintenance, instead of fancy upgrades of any kind.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
#13
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I only had one project to do and that was to get my Masi back on the road. All's it took was $229 for Ultegra 10 shifers, $100 for a cassette, $40 for a chain and $15 for bar tape. The install cost $60.
#14
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I have been out of work for 5 weeks and counting, and this is the first gap ever in my 32-year professional career. I am finally getting the first few nibbles, call-backs, teaching auditions, etc., and my employer may be able to re-capitalize and re-launch in several weeks, but in the meantime I have put my household on a semi-austerity budget.
.
.
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No frames have gotten painted in years, and my ebay purchases have trickled down to zero...
Fortunately, I have tons o'crap to play with!
Fortunately, I have tons o'crap to play with!
#16
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I was poor well before the scheitze hit the fan. I'm suffering from an overabundance of vagabonds getting to the dumpsters first and price gouging at the thrift stores. I can't even get my hands on a bike to start a project, but Tyrone who lives under the overpass has plastic bags wrapped all over his Nishiki.
#17
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We're getting hit very hard here in Denver. The veterinary profession is taking a major hit and we are all making big-time sacrifices....Small animal is doing a bit worse than the horse doc's.
I've never seen this many people surrendering the family pet, and can't recall this many unwanted strays, ever. It started for us just after Thanksgiving.
My Bridgestone project has been on hold since X-Mas...... Hoping things will pick up soon as I can't tighten my belt much more than I already have... I have sold off 60% of my collection to supplement things... Which may not be such a bad thing because I am riding certain machines a lot more than I used to.
I've never seen this many people surrendering the family pet, and can't recall this many unwanted strays, ever. It started for us just after Thanksgiving.
My Bridgestone project has been on hold since X-Mas...... Hoping things will pick up soon as I can't tighten my belt much more than I already have... I have sold off 60% of my collection to supplement things... Which may not be such a bad thing because I am riding certain machines a lot more than I used to.
Last edited by bigwoo; 02-12-09 at 11:04 AM.
#18
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I have been out of work since Sept 08 and have no prospects. At 61 no body wants to even interview me. There are no substancial jobs in the are. The economy is worse than I have ever seen. I am still messing with my bikes but nothing high dollar. To say the least, things are very tight. I see the working man taking a major hit so the big fellas can get bigger. Just look at what the big banks have done for thier 700 managers. (over a million dollar bonus each with our tax dollars) I am sure glad we are bailing out the banks.
#20
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I'm not familiar with it. Can you include a link? (I'm guessing it's about the lines for jobs or the exploding homeless situation downtown...?) There was a story the other day about a small Mom & Pop contractor who posted an ad on CL for $14/hr. They had >450 emails in less than 5 hrs and many had no experience in construction. i.e. Master degrees in business, etc...
Last edited by bigwoo; 02-12-09 at 11:10 AM.
#21
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The recession has definitely had an impact on our household the past 3 months. As for projects, progress on my Bianchi build has slowed to a crawl. The only cash I put into the build at this time is what I generate by selling components on eBay.
The one luxury we are allowing ourselves right now is to follow 6 of the 9 stages of the Tour of California. Its become an annual road trip for our family--our 7-year old son follows the pro tour like some kids follow basketball--and fortunately stage cities are relatively close to home or relatives live in or nearby stage cities so expenses can be kept to a minimum.
+1 on riding is for free.
stan
The one luxury we are allowing ourselves right now is to follow 6 of the 9 stages of the Tour of California. Its become an annual road trip for our family--our 7-year old son follows the pro tour like some kids follow basketball--and fortunately stage cities are relatively close to home or relatives live in or nearby stage cities so expenses can be kept to a minimum.
+1 on riding is for free.
stan
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I'm selling a couple I'm not infatuated with, have no plans to buy anything, which means the "gotta have it" would be the only qualifier.
Ironman prices are up recently, no clue as to why. I sold one today, I think, but probably lost a little. It's still better at this point to have the money and not the extra bike, plus a new cult member is always worth something.....
Ironman prices are up recently, no clue as to why. I sold one today, I think, but probably lost a little. It's still better at this point to have the money and not the extra bike, plus a new cult member is always worth something.....
#23
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Yes, all projects, bike or anything else, are on hold. More so because I need to find high tech work in my new city, following my move in Oct. So, until positive cash flow happens, all my stuff stays boxed in 11 bike boxes in the garage.
But we are taking advance of the downturn with bargains that we shouldn't pass up.
Currently, I'm looking for 2 bargain bikes for my stepsons. they had to leave their's behind during the move.
The younger one wants to follow in my footsteps with a true road bike. He wants to buy it with his own earnings. Commendable for a 13 y.o. who was basically neglected by his father and that only learned to ride a bike 4 years ago when I insisted on teaching them. The older one is more apathetic, but still wants a set of wheels. I can't allow them to go bike-less due to Bush's Recession.
But we are taking advance of the downturn with bargains that we shouldn't pass up.
Currently, I'm looking for 2 bargain bikes for my stepsons. they had to leave their's behind during the move.
The younger one wants to follow in my footsteps with a true road bike. He wants to buy it with his own earnings. Commendable for a 13 y.o. who was basically neglected by his father and that only learned to ride a bike 4 years ago when I insisted on teaching them. The older one is more apathetic, but still wants a set of wheels. I can't allow them to go bike-less due to Bush's Recession.
Last edited by WNG; 02-12-09 at 11:28 AM.
#24
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#25
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Yes, all projects, bike or anything else, are on hold. More so because I need to find high tech work in my new city, following my move in Oct. So, until positive cash flow happens, all my stuff stays boxed in 11 bike boxes in the garage. But we are taking advance of the downturn with bargains that we shouldn't pass up.