Another sign of these strange times

Neily at the peak · Post by **Neily at the peak** » 09 Dec 2009, 16:54

Something is not right here. I run a village PO. and in recent weeks our cash delivery has contained a significant amount of fifties because "the boe are short of the others" Customers certainly do not want them and the only time they will take them is if we have nothing else.

Neil

PS_RalphW · Post by **PS_RalphW** » 09 Dec 2009, 16:59

Perhaps the BOE is expecting inflation to pick up soon...

...or perhaps they have run out of money to pay the printers to print smaller notes.

Neily at the peak · Post by **Neily at the peak** » 10 Dec 2009, 17:18

hmmmm!?!?!

fifthcolumn · Post by **fifthcolumn** » 10 Dec 2009, 18:09

Neily at the peak wrote:hmmmm!?!?!

That would suggest deflation, but do any of us see prices going down?

emordnilap · Post by **emordnilap** » 10 Dec 2009, 20:57

One of our TDs (MPs to you) was on the radio this morning defending cuts in the dole and other benefits outlined in Wednesday's Irish budget speech, pointing out that many prices had come down because of the 'recession'.

I believe her postal address is The Planet Zog, Dublin 4.

I have zilch experience of reduced retail prices where I am; indeed, part of my job involves printing price lists and menus, which indicate the opposite.

But we do have people asking at us for 'a bit off because things are tight'. Our materials or running costs have not come down in price, so it's unfair on us.

Ludwig · Post by **Ludwig** » 10 Dec 2009, 22:24

emordnilap wrote:One of our TDs (MPs to you) was on the radio this morning defending cuts in the dole and other benefits outlined in Wednesday's Irish budget speech, pointing out that many prices had come down because of the 'recession'.

I believe her postal address is The Planet Zog, Dublin 4.

I have zilch experience of reduced retail prices where I am; indeed, part of my job involves printing price lists and menus, which indicate the opposite.

But we do have people asking at us for 'a bit off because things are tight'. Our materials or running costs have not come down in price, so it's unfair on us.

I sympathise, but governments have hard choices to make. No one wants to be among those who are worse off because of the "recession", but when there's less money, there's less money. I don't think it's really reasonable to say, "I need my current standard of living more than he/she does."

emordnilap · Post by **emordnilap** » 12 Dec 2009, 17:57

Ludwig wrote:I don't think it's really reasonable to say, "I need my current standard of living more than he/she does."

I didn't mean to imply that. Our margins are tight anyway - we're living week to week, relying on cash flow more than profit. Not good in the long term. I feel guilty taking my small wage!

I was mainly replying to fifth's question about prices coming down, which they are most decidedly not, whatever an MP's worldview.

I was talking to a friend who runs a women's dress shop today; she's noticed a trend from the €400 frocks to the €200 ones. Now those people, I really feel sorry for.