Economy/unemployment

[Still Runnin]

Made in USA

Yup a real catch 22 ... the supplier pays more ... in turn the buyer pays more ...and then add the economy in and job loss ... people are forced to pay less for items.

We figured we would split it 50/50 when we put the stuff out there. We take a little less and hope the buyer will pay a little more to keep the work here! We'll see ?

 

[earthman]

Middle class. In the middle between growing corporate greed and growing government control. It has always been the rich and powerful walking over the "little" people and it always has to be dealt with the same way. We will have to wait for the 6 o'clock news to tell us that our government is corrupt
(between commercials) before we will believe it.

 

[Still Runnin]

I would just like to know what happened to common sense ... ?

 

[anvil]

we are from a diffrent way of thinking we do it and and we can do it for others that just want it done for them we care we see they dont they dont see any father than their own out streched hand. We see both sides and the cost to the genral good. how many here can tell us of the last ten tools we bought and ware they were made or the last time china orderd from you

 

[moronthethrottle]

US Engineering

how many here can tell us of the last ten tools we bought and ware they were made or the last time china orderd from you

Typically, no, China does not buy our products. My former company built slakers for mixing lime & water. A Chinese company ordered one and tried to reverse engineer it...FAILED! Now they have ordered four more to get the job done that they are not capable of doing correctly. Just wanted to share an American success story that we all can be proud of! Wish there were more stories like that.

 

[Sam_Fear]

I would just like to know what happened to common sense ... ?

Common sense became less common when we started to make laws to keep people from dying from their own stupidity! Warnings on hair dryers not to use in the shower?!

Why is it common sense isn't that common.

Oh, and China can actually produce a high quality product. They just don't ship them here. They know the average American consumer wants it as cheap as possible, screw quality. So we get Harbor Freight, and quality American businesses go under... or go cheap, then go under.

 

[dmw56]

Another problem with the Chinese is their absolute disregard for patents and copyrights and the fact that no one does anything about it.

 

[wrecker55]

I agree with dmw, but I wonder how many of the "big 3" are building or have plans to build in China? I say repeal NAFDA , get our companies back in the USA

 

[rockb1]

Man I just lost my job this week. I have been there for 6 years, a short time compared to most I know. But being in Michigan wow you should see the downturn. With the Automotive industry taking a dive there are all kinds of people losing their jobs everyday. And that has an effect on everyone. Without those people making money they are not spending it either affecting everybody right down the chain. I tell ya if I wasnt tied to a house that is worth a lot less than I owe I would be out here, Im just too afraid to take the loss on it and be buried by it.

So where do we go, who do we write to? Should this be a collective effort by the many on this forum? Do we call on our buddies and have them join with us and post a letter to washington? Im just saying what would be the right steps to take in the right direction. I hate watching this country fall apart. I dont believe that it is as bad out there as it is here. But I do know a lot of good people who have given their lives to a company only to lose their job.

Thats my 2 pennies.

 

[moronthethrottle]

rockb1, I'm sorry to hear your bad news and I too wish there were something we could do. Six years is no short time by today's standards. The chain effect is truly frightening, isn't it! I've been trying to keep track of where people around here are picking up work after being laid off, but it seems as though it's pretty tight around here as well...no doubt Michigan is being hit hardest, first though. If a guy had a million bucks and a great idea, they would have no troubles starting a new company and snagging up some of this countries best employees. Energy (coal, ethanol, etc), Health Care, Insurance and perhaps auto mechanics are the safest jobs from what I can tell. I included auto mechanics since obviously noone is buying cars now, so people need to replace more stuff on the ones they have...seemed logical?

We've been down the same path as you are considering by contacting Washington. If we even got a response it amounted to nothing more than the typical political BS promises "...the new administration..." blah, blah, blah. It sucks being so helpless, it's just not in guys like ours' nature to be vulnerable to other peoples' misfortune and stupidity.

I started this thread for all the guys on here, and especially for you who need our support and a place to vent frustration with the current recession. My advice on unemployment: stay away from the COBRA insurance plan, you're a young guy and can get cheaper ins anywhere. My wife checked out all local agencies and found that American Family had an intermediate plan that cost us $1150 for SIX months. COBRA will cost you $975 EACH MONTH for a family plan! OUCH! Pray for snow...unemployment does not deduct for receiving cash for removing snow, lawn care, etc. Every $ counts big!

Hang in there, we're all here to listen to you vent, throw out other ideas to help the situation, maybe there's even someone in Michigan who knows of some potential jobs for you. Wish I could help you more, but just remember that you're not alone!

 

[rockb1]

Ya Im just bummed. I know that I would never get anywhere trying to write to the man but its a thought right, lol. Ya if I only had some capitol,,,, Oh the ideas that come to mind. I know Ill find something, Im not the type of guy who will just roll over and take it. I signed up for unemployment but I think Ill have found anything before it kicks in. If not I have a few odd jobs to keep me busy. Plus it gives me more tiem to sort through parts, do some trading and work on this Rat Rod. Thanks guys for the support, sometimes its tough to watch it all go down. I know that we'll pull something out.

 

[wrecker55]

Hang in there rockb1, your lucky it took this long to affect you. I shut down my construction co. 2 yrs ago last oct. and had to let 20 employees go. Figured it was cheaper to shut down than lose 2k every week till I was broke trying to keep my guys working. All I have been doing is odd jobs a a few interiors. I got to hope that things will change but I think were still aways from the end of this downturn and hoping the rest of you guys will survive, Iv'e made it this far by selling( for far less than I paid) the toys that I had accumulated when the market was good( new trucks, harleys, other projects that were sitting). I'm gonna make it, just got to believe things are going to get better, can always work somewhere even if its for min wage, so good luck rockb1 and the other guys looking , were survivors

 

[Still Runnin]

This might sound stupid, but on Still Runnin Magazine website
I am putting together an ad campaign where we (the gearheads) support each other on a smaller scale then of course the whole great big USA.

PLEASE DO NOT THINK THIS IS SPAM ... ITS NOT. This point I am trying to make is the internet is a powerful source. If smaller shops can have a nice display ad placed that is affordable, on a web site that is properly build, and WE all stick together and support each other, when possible, at least we keep our monies in the same circle. What a novel IDEA !!

"Gearheads Working for Gearhead" is the slogan for my ad campaign that I am going to use. Any comments on my school of thought? There are so many talented people out here that go unnoticed for so many reasons, they do not have a shop, they can't afford a display ad in their local papers, or the big national mag'. They have real jobs during the day un-related to their real passion .... artists, welders, painters, etc, jobs that could be done at night, weekends ... OK I'm ranting now ... Let me here your thought on GEARHEADS WORKING for GEARHEADS ... no it will not save the world, but it sure could help a large group of us if we stick together!

 

[moronthethrottle]

I'll put in my 2 cents again...it looks like your idea is running in parallel with another thread from hillbilly4008 http://www.ratrodsrule.com/forum/showthread.php?t=7543

Maybe a link from this site and from Still Runnin Magazine can be created to access all the small companies and hobbyists with specialized talents.

Do it man, do it. A small army that is well organized can be extremely effective.

 

[Still Runnin]

Mr. Pres

Well like Mr. President said today we have to pick ourselves up, dust our selves off ... there is work to be done.
I think all of us here fall into the category of "Risk Takers and Doers.
So Here's hoping for a good 2009 to us all !!