How's Business?

[530RL]

I think the Tarif deal is a good idea to try and bring manufacturing back to the USA but I think its a long way off and we are now conditioned to love cheap china crap.

This is the receipt for a recent snap on tool proposal. Harbor Freight was 25% of that cost.

The Snap On stuff was definitely nicer, but I'm not sure we can tariff our way out of reality or that the average American can afford the reality.

 

[paradise]

Only a 25% spread between Snap-On and HF?

HF stuff used be less than 1/2 the cost of quality tools.

25% the cost, 75% less

 

[Orange Juice]

We booked a Mediterranean vacation. Italy, Greece, and Egypt. Exchange rate is getting favorable

 

[JL95]

I know things get slow as more and more outside sales reps show up to try to kiss ass.

 

[EmpirE231]

I know things get slow as more and more outside sales reps show up to try to kiss ass.

I've noticed more home improvement type contractors posting marketing stuff on FB groups haven't seen that in years

 

[JL95]

And of course now that I said that....not a single order today lol

This is why i never comment about my industry in these threads lol. I am so damn superstitious



Also i was on the edd website looking at the WARN Act listings for layoffs/terminations. That paints a picture for your local economy and or industry a bit.
For instance, Master Brand cabinets are closing their Colton location in April, 246 jobs gone. Then I look into it and nationwide they are still expanding. We are not direct competitors since they are big box vs what we do, but its something to think about.

 

[FROGMAN524]

Things seem to be slowing down for sure.

In my biz (insurance biz) things are steadily busy, and we had a good 2024 but we are also working our asses off for it. I'd say after being in this business for a good 25yrs or so.... we've never had to work as hard for it other than the 1st few years in business. This industry is also becoming so volatile due to the CA govt and things like the palisades fire happening.

we really haven't changed the way we live day to day, but we should. Like everyone lese mentioned.... fuel, hotels, flights, restaurants are all overpriced, especially for the mediocre service they now all provide. That is the biggest thing making me consider spending less money is the fact that service has gone downhill so fast in most of these industries.... hard to blame the industries themselves due to CA's $20/hr min wage and paid 15 minute popcorn breaks, 5 paid sick daysetc etc CA is really driving a knife into private businesses viability and ability to make a profit while offering good service

still a mixed bag though... some friends in other industries are struggling, and some are prospering.

That's why I'm buying an RV. Flights and Hotels and a blood sucker, as is renting a house or anything else for that matter, and it's easier with little kids to travel that way.

 

[Mandelon]

We are still fairly busy but definitely slowing down. I used to turn down a half dozen jobs a month. Not so any longer.

 

[shintoooo]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1900159155131793852

 

[530RL]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1900159155131793852

Businesses are cutting Capex budgets right now due to uncertainty as well as rising costs due to where the capital equipment may be coming from.

It will be interesting to see how self recurring the cuts in travel and capital become.

 

[badgas]

I'm busy BUSY !

We sell ( my main gig ) shower remodels primarily. Our crews are slammed and we are looking to hire helpers.
We are 6-8 weeks out.

Operating in the OC and IE

 

[Romans9]

I’ve been working 65-70 hours in 5 days for several weeks and they are wanting more.

Raised my rates by 20% and no one flinched.

I work on portable rock crushing equipment.

 

[Romans9]

This is the receipt for a recent snap on tool proposal. Harbor Freight was 25% of that cost.

The Snap On stuff was definitely nicer, but I'm not sure we can tariff our way out of reality or that the average American can afford the reality.

View attachment 1486913

There is absolutely no comparison between Snap-On and Harbor Freight. They are for completely different markets. Seems strange to me that this would be the choices for consideration.

Snap-On must be needing to move some boxes because I have been wanting a new box for awhile and my buddy that is a dealer called me and told me they were really offering some incredible mark downs.

I ordered this box for about 45% below list which is about 20% better than I have ever seen. They will always come off 15-20% without even trying but I’ve never seen 45%.

 

[Romans9]

Businesses are cutting Capex budgets right now due to uncertainty as well as rising costs due to where the capital equipment may be coming from.

It will be interesting to see how self recurring the cuts in travel and capital become.

For sure.

The company I contract for cut nearly all their Cap Ex for this year. I have never seem them do that.
They are anticipating a banner year and are already gearing up for long hours so it seems strange but I know they are extremely forecast oriented. Maybe they are recouping from the last couple years?

 

[Bpracing1127]

We are cutting some jobs (middle mgmt) and lowering cap ex and travel budgets.

Our spend is 100 million less this year than last year.

We are pulling to the left as much as possible due to lingering tariffs.

I work for a large defense contractor

On a personal note. We are trying to prep for the long haul and downsize and simplify our lives. This is proven to be difficult as I can never seem to get ahead. It’s always something. Last year I used the boat twice (mostly due to buying a new house and moving) this year it’s not looking much better.

The only thing that has gone down in price recently is my insurances and gas price.

Food is through the roof
Any house, car, rzr, boat items are astronomical

I’m trying to sell my toyhauler no bites at all. Just trying to walk away too.

37k for a nice attitude 32 gsg let me know. (I paid 70 in 2021)

Overall I see this getting worse before it gets better so wife and I are trying to save. Having a crappy tax person really hurt us as two years in a row our taxes are out of this world. We have a new guy now that put us on the right track but we won’t see that till next year.

My .02 buckle up, it’s gonna get bumpy

 

[gqchris]

We are cutting some jobs (middle mgmt) and lowering cap ex and travel budgets.

Our spend is 100 million less this year than last year.

We are pulling to the left as much as possible due to lingering tariffs.

I work for a large defense contractor

On a personal note. We are trying to prep for the long haul and downsize and simplify our lives. This is proven to be difficult as I can never seem to get ahead. It’s always something. Last year I used the boat twice (mostly due to buying a new house and moving) this year it’s not looking much better.

The only thing that has gone down in price recently is my insurances and gas price.

Food is through the roof
Any house, car, rzr, boat items are astronomical

I’m trying to sell my toyhauler no bites at all. Just trying to walk away too.

37k for a nice attitude 32 gsg let me know. (I paid 70 in 2021)

Overall I see this getting worse before it gets better so wife and I are trying to save. Having a crappy tax person really hurt us as two years in a row our taxes are out of this world. We have a new guy now that put us on the right track but we won’t see that till next year.

My .02 buckle up, it’s gonna get bumpy

Are you saying to "hold on to my hat?"

 

[Mandelon]

Had to sell the hat to buy 3 eggs.

 

[BHC Vic]

Had to sell the hat to buy 3 eggs.

You need a new guy, I could have got you 4 eggs…

 

[lbhsbz]

We had free eggs until a Coyote got into my neighbor's yard and killed all their chickens a few weeks back.

 

[jetboatperformance]

Forever optimistic Here, Been busy and getting busier , building up inventory I love what seems like refreshed attitude in many of my friends and customers

 

[EmpirE231]

there will be a lot more inflation coming. That is the only way for the US to get ahead of its debt.

I predict rate cuts, which will create one more boom / pump & dump. Inflation will soar.... US and big corps restructure their debt, then the big hit and pain sets in. Question is, will toy prices soar with the massive inflation or will it just be food, gas, housing etc

 

[Cole Trickle]

there will be a lot more inflation coming. That is the only way for the US to get ahead of its debt.

I predict rate cuts, which will create one more boom / pump & dump. Inflation will soar.... US and big corps restructure their debt, then the big hit and pain sets in. Question is, will toy prices soar with the massive inflation or will it just be food, gas, housing etc

Everything..People go crazy when $$$ is cheap.

 

[shintoooo]

there will be a lot more inflation coming. That is the only way for the US to get ahead of its debt.

I predict rate cuts, which will create one more boom / pump & dump. Inflation will soar.... US and big corps restructure their debt, then the big hit and pain sets in. Question is, will toy prices soar with the massive inflation or will it just be food, gas, housing etc

I agree. That's the time to sell real estate if you've been waiting for top.

 

[530RL]

I agree. That's the time to sell real estate if you've been waiting for top.

US Stock and Real Estate Values During Stagflation - DataTrek Research

Today we will dedicate our “Data” section to stagflation, with 3 points on the history of the phenomenon and how US stocks and real estate have done when it occurs: #1: Definition and historical analysis. Stagflation is a portmanteau word, combining “stagnation” and “inflation”. It signifies the...

datatrekresearch.com

 

[Bpracing1127]

Are you saying to "hold on to my hat?"

Yep that is what I am saying.

 

[Thing One]

US Stock and Real Estate Values During Stagflation - DataTrek Research

Today we will dedicate our “Data” section to stagflation, with 3 points on the history of the phenomenon and how US stocks and real estate have done when it occurs: #1: Definition and historical analysis. Stagflation is a portmanteau word, combining “stagnation” and “inflation”. It signifies the...

datatrekresearch.com

I just wish I paid attention in school to understand what they are saying.

 

[mbrown2]

My particular line of work (Cybersecurity) is good...threats/breaches continue to be on the rise and as such most public companies and boards (mine included) support the cyber spending to insure we protect the digital assets of the company which include consumer, business, and shareholder data. The particularly industry I work in has been challenged since 2022 with the rates. Us and most competitors have had to resize for the size of market that the higher rates bring. That said threats don't go away cause a company shrinks so Cyber remains busy. Personally started to work on paying off everything cause I only plan to work for another 7-8yrs and then go part time and do board advisory on cyber. So in the last 6 months went from 3 mortgages to 1 and focus on going 0 in next two years. I want the flexibilty to do as we want and not need much to do it...

 

[TPC]

When the friends and extended family members that are truck drivers have more days off and less work, and me driving along the I 10 along White Water noticing more idled locomotives in increasing numbers each trip,, bad times are on the horizon.

Hotel offers are next and airline discounts start dinging in.

 

[lbhsbz]

there will be a lot more inflation coming. That is the only way for the US to get ahead of its debt.

I predict rate cuts, which will create one more boom / pump & dump. Inflation will soar.... US and big corps restructure their debt, then the big hit and pain sets in. Question is, will toy prices soar with the massive inflation or will it just be food, gas, housing etc

If the essentials go up, then I'd think the non essentials, at least the mid to lower grade ones (boats under $200K or so) would come down as folks try to fire sale everything to pay the essential bills. Not sure though, we'll have to wait and see.

Doesn't seem like anyone is buying much of shit right now. Luckily, all my toys that I don't use were cheap and I don't really care if I give them away rather than sell them for top dollar, which isn't much

 

[Flatsix66]

Things are going good for the tech company I work for. For the last ten years that I've been here every quarter has been better then the last. AI equipment spending has been off the charts with no slowing in sight. The company paid out $5B in stock compensation to the employees last year as a reward, nice place to work.