Back when our dollar was worth less than the neighbours, a model of printing two prices on magazine covers was normal. We accepted that our funny money got us less when it came to trading it for those fancy monthly collections of, well, everything fit to read. We all accepted the reality, and we paid a premium.
posted in economy | Comments Off on Charge what the market won’t bear | 328 words
There must be a channel that we (parents that have gifts to buy before a certain expiration date) don’t get on our radios. The only channel that counts, really; the one that identifies the gift that must be purchased before every store on the planet has sold out. Here we are, only a few weeks to go in the shopping marathon and already we’re seeking contacts on the other side of the globe, just in case.
posted in economy | Comments Off on In search of THE gift | 378 words
This is a tale of two purchases with some reflection on how we shouldn’t give up the good old model of “retail” just yet. Part of the story is all my fault (for not believing the fine print), and part is a tribute to people who look their customer in the eyes and then decide to go for the satisfaction factor.
posted in economy | Comments Off on Differing levels of service | 531 words
The signs of an economy that is out of control include rapid currency devaluation, rapid rise of basics such as fuel, a rising debt and a threat by another nation to “sell off” their holdings of your currency. Our neighbour is showing all of these, and we’re being sucked into the vortex.
posted in economy | Comments Off on Pinching is painful | 228 words
Before we go any further, the refrain to the song goes as follows: “C’est la faute des liberaux”. Or, after running it through the New Goverment translation service: “It is the fault of the liberals”. What fault? Governments don’t have those. Oh yes, this time around, it appears that our arms sales have been doing much better than previously reported. Or, not reported, in this case.
posted in economy | Comments Off on When the shine fades on the halo | 291 words
Spoiled, that’s what you kids are. Why, in my day we had a metal tub that was filled with water heated on the back of a stove, and we took turns. We weren’t too big, or too dirty, so the system worked. Now, you have a shower! Not just a garden hose that you run back and forth under. A shower. We (the loving, caring parents) have even added a new head, just for your water-wasting pleasure.
posted in economy | Comments Off on Reverse marketing psychology | 415 words
The definition of a crisis depends on the who, what, when, where and why of a situation. Basic journalism has always known this. Drought, famine, pestilence; all have characteristics that identify the monster under a particular bed. This morning, the news brought up one that most of us never think about; the decreasing water levels in our Great Lakes. I realize we share them with the neighbour, but that’s a detail. Or is it?
posted in economy, environment | Comments Off on It isn’t missing – it’s been reallocated | 362 words
Mea culpa. I’ve been enrolled in the ranks of the überconsumer, and there’s even (poor) photographic proof. I have an official ID card, that allows me to forego all common sense in my shopping habits. OK, a bit of overevaluation of the importance of my actions, but today was not a good day for my self respect as a moderate member of the economy.
posted in economy | Comments Off on Let the overconsuming begin | 291 words
It is hard to be a small store owner in a mall-based society. In fact, here in “the city”, trying to avoid the big box store is harder than one might think. No, we don’t all live within walking distance of everything, and shopping by rapid transit is not an option; the rapid part is sent home for supper before I am. After rush hour, everything is two hours away, which allows just one store per day.
posted in economy | Comments Off on Cars; an inconvenient truth | 389 words
I have to be impressed with the blatant ability of the Canadian retailer to protect a vested position. This afternoon, Rex invited callers to bear witness. An opportunity to let others know how things have changed in the new monetary model known as “looney at par”. The program turned out as a reaffirmation of my personal experience. The only profit from a stronger dollar is a stronger profit margin.
posted in economy | Comments Off on Blame it on the math department | 497 words
