Unpleasent sign of the times.

[peternap]

I was in Home Depot last week and started talking to a contractor in the tool section. The conversation led to windows. He told me he had 12 new windows for a job that had fallen through, and I could have them for $200.00 if I needed them. As a former contractor in the 80's when the market dumped, I recognized the desperate look.

I bought them and he told me he had some lumber at his house too. Yesterday, I went over and looked at it. He had 150 2x10's in lengths from 10' to 24', a pallet of 2x4's, 10' and 30 1x4;s 10' ft.

I told him I couldn't afford them at what they were worth. He told me, anything was better than nothing and he could lose his house if he didn't come up with cash.

I gave him a dollar each and even though he seemed darn happy, I felt a little guilty.

He's selling all his tools that he absolutely doesn't have to keep. He said work had been completely flat for 2 months.

Really sad! Those people that won't work are sitting in a warm government paid apartment, eating food stamp groceries and staying warm. Those that want to work....are losing it all.

[Redoverfarm]

Peter I am with you.  If that was the price that he wanted then I wouldn't think anything of it as he was satisfied.  I do have a problem when out of desperation that someone has to part with their livelihood just to eat.  That is when my conscious kicks in and I usually will up the anty but still staying within the value but also getting a deal.  By the way how many suits do you have now?  I mean with all that falling in the outside and coming out with a new suit each time.     

[Jens]

That's the kind of thing that always makes me want to save some money so that I can hire that person that I just got such a great deal from.  Unfortunately, it doesn't ever seem to work out as a good deal.  Better off just taking that "extra" money, and anonymously paying part of the persons utility bill or something.  The sweet part of that, is being able to just let God be the giving one. 

Times are very tough, and are going to get tougher I think.  The weird part about times like this, is that those who cling to everything in normal times, cling even harder, and those who give in normal times, seem to give even more.  Maybe it comes from knowing first hand how hard it is to get along by yourself in this life.

I think you did a good thing by buying the lumber and stuff from him.  He may not have had anyone interested otherwise, or maybe it wouldn't have come at the right time.  Like you said, he seemed darn happy.  He probably got the stuff when business was good, kinda like stocks if you invested when up, but pulled when low.  You take a loss, but at least you don't lose everything.

Good-on-ya brada.

[muldoon]

cash is king

glad you could help the guy (and yourself) in the process. 

[bayview]

cash is king

   Yep . . . People who decided not to "Keep up with the Jones" are doing ok.

   We have some simple luxuries, but have always put money aside.  Living as simple as possible.  My girlfriend drives a 17 year old car.  A 1992 Town Car with 80,000 miles.  I drive a truck 8 years old . . . We can afford newer vehicles, but why?  To impress the neighbors?

   I have a couple of customers in trouble.  New house, cars, suvs, vacation homes, etc.  I have one customer thats depressed.  So, Hey!, Lets all go to Cancun for Christmas.

   I'm in the service business.  So, many things are being put on hold.  (Finishing our Cabin)

   It's hard to see people in trouble. . . But, save for the rainy day.

[Redoverfarm]

Too Many people living outside their means.   I stopped by a friends garage on the way home from town.  He has a repair shop and wrecker service.  We were talking about the economy and he told me of an experience he had this weekend.  Alot of his buisness in the winter comes from towing and repairs to people that frequent Snowshoe Ski Resort.  One customer had to get towed and was going to pay with a credit card for a $150 towing and repair bill.  My friend said the customer was paying with a credit card.  After running through 5 different cards the last card company accepted the bill.  All the others (previous card companies) payment was declined.  Probably over the limit.  Now I ask you even if he had a $10K limit on each of his card then why in the H#ll was he going to go to a  high dollar resort for a week or weekend.    Go Figure.

[Mad Dog]

Yeah, it is sad to hear.  The people I have no mercy for are the ones that have been described that have to keep up with the "Joneses".  McMansion, brand new vehicles, frequent vacations, eating out all the time.  Screw 'em, they made their bed, let 'em lay in it.

[diyfrank]

He's a goner. 

If he cant make the mortgage this month, next month won't be any better.
 
I couldn't pass up a buy like that.
I feel sorry for the guy but, construction is not his friend anymore.