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Author Topic: 2009 - Friend or Foe?  (Read 6645 times)

Afghan Dave

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2009 - Friend or Foe?
« on: December 31, 2008, 02:50:21 PM »
Even whilest reading the latest Guitarist magazine you can't help but notice an undercurrent of dread at expected price rises in 2009 stemming from a weak exchange rate/economy.

Though worrying, I can't help but think that many craft led/low volume British companies could benefit but only if both they and the consumer hold their nerve.

Beside sufficient operating capital, I believe clearly communicating quality and a strong brand identity will be the defining characteristics required for any size business to survive the next 12 months. And many UK companies are well placed in this regard.

On a personal note I'm kinda (foolishly) optimistic about the challenges ahead but thankfully I'm not over-exposed with too hefty a debt load and it's not my first recession.

I'm ready to batten down the financial hatches and save toward some key purchases.

What do you guys think....

2009 - Friend or Foe?
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Stevepage

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Re: 2009 - Friend or Foe?
« Reply #1 on: December 31, 2008, 03:01:04 PM »
I think the used guitar market will do pretty well. Example,  You can get a used Strat for a good price very easily from ebay, small guitar shops and guitar magazine adverts.

As for new guitars, british guitar makers may do slightly better as people look to companies closer to home, avoiding having to pay the middle man. Fender are raising prices on their guitars and Gibson's are already stupidly over priced.

We have a really good choice of british builders. To name a few, Feline, JJ guitars and Patrick Eggle. Each with good reputations and reasonable prices.

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Antag

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Re: 2009 - Friend or Foe?
« Reply #2 on: December 31, 2008, 03:28:30 PM »
Friend IMO

A recession is not a nuclear winter.  Most people will keep their jobs and/or be able to find another one.  Money still changes hands, things are still made, bought & sold.

Yes, there will be pain.  Yes, some people will struggle.

On a personal note, the current economic climate has certainly changed my immediate purchasing plans.  There's no way I'm importing a Jackson, Engl or Warmoth with the current £:$ & £:€ rates.  However, other people stand to benefit from that - Feline & BKP will probably see more business from me.

FWIW, it's not my first recession either.  I made a killing in the last one.  Not that I'm complacent - things could go south very rapidly & I'm more exposed financially than I'd like.  But I'm an optimist when it comes to transient economic conditions - there are always opportunities & fundamentally the capitalist system works....
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Lew

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Re: 2009 - Friend or Foe?
« Reply #3 on: December 31, 2008, 04:47:32 PM »
I saw it coming a mile off, I bought a few american bits of kit when the dollar was about 2.1 to the pound.  My main guitar is Hungarian and amp British now though  8)
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38thBeatle

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Re: 2009 - Friend or Foe?
« Reply #4 on: December 31, 2008, 04:53:56 PM »
I am an optimist and I really do not think that all the doom and gloom talk is going to help-if anything it'll bring about a recession. The rate of exchange is not good at the moment but things will change and find a new balance in time-a year ago the $ was worth 50p. One good thing will be that British exports will be cheaper. I am concerned about  my job situation-it has been a worry all year in fact but I can't and wont spend my life worrying.I have been through recessions before and was in a poorer personal financial state then than I am now. Overall, I think that our society/economy will find a new balance and  a lot of benefits will result but there will undoubtedly be pain for some.
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gwEm

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Re: 2009 - Friend or Foe?
« Reply #5 on: December 31, 2008, 05:15:44 PM »
Quote from: Antag on December 31, 2008, 03:28:30 PM
fundamentally the capitalist system works....

war, greed, exploitation of child workers in developing nations

frankly, i'm not sure it does work.
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Quote from: AndyR
you wouldn't use the meat knife on crusty bread but, equally, the serrated knife and straight edge knife aren't going to go through raw meat as quickly

sambo

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Re: 2009 - Friend or Foe?
« Reply #6 on: December 31, 2008, 05:53:51 PM »
Quote
Quote
fundamentally the capitalist system works....

war, greed, exploitation of child workers in developing nations

frankly, i'm not sure it does work.


You know of a system which eradicates war, greed and exploitation of child workers in developing nations?! Do tell... :wink:
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gwEm

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Re: 2009 - Friend or Foe?
« Reply #7 on: December 31, 2008, 05:57:42 PM »
Quote from: sambo on December 31, 2008, 05:53:51 PM
Quote
Quote
fundamentally the capitalist system works....

war, greed, exploitation of child workers in developing nations

frankly, i'm not sure it does work.


You know of a system which eradicates war, greed and exploitation of child workers in developing nations?! Do tell... :wink:

love  8)
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Quote from: AndyR
you wouldn't use the meat knife on crusty bread but, equally, the serrated knife and straight edge knife aren't going to go through raw meat as quickly

maverickf1jockey

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Re: 2009 - Friend or Foe?
« Reply #8 on: December 31, 2008, 05:57:51 PM »
Total anarchy is the answer!!!

DOWN WITH ANTIDISESTABLISHMENTARIANISM!!!!!

j/k
« Last Edit: December 31, 2008, 06:00:07 PM by maverickf1jockey »
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I too use chicken as a measurement.

Johnny Mac

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Re: 2009 - Friend or Foe?
« Reply #9 on: December 31, 2008, 06:33:13 PM »
Hmmm  :lol:

Well the way I see it is the pounds value is going to stay low for a long time due to our PM, who has been printing money basically. So while exporting will do ok, importing won't. Or going on holiday to the med and getting pissed up in tavernas!
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sambo

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Re: 2009 - Friend or Foe?
« Reply #10 on: December 31, 2008, 06:39:21 PM »
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
fundamentally the capitalist system works....

war, greed, exploitation of child workers in developing nations

frankly, i'm not sure it does work.

You know of a system which eradicates war, greed and exploitation of child workers in developing nations?! Do tell... Wink

love  Cool


:lol: Good answer! :)
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maverickf1jockey

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Re: 2009 - Friend or Foe?
« Reply #11 on: December 31, 2008, 06:46:49 PM »
^agreed.
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I too use chicken as a measurement.

Antag

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Re: 2009 - Friend or Foe?
« Reply #12 on: December 31, 2008, 07:15:09 PM »
Quote from: gwEm on December 31, 2008, 05:15:44 PM
Quote from: Antag on December 31, 2008, 03:28:30 PM
fundamentally the capitalist system works....
war, greed, exploitation of child workers in developing nations

frankly, i'm not sure it does work.
At best you can pin one of those three things on capitalism (& even that is highly tenuous)
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MrBump

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Re: 2009 - Friend or Foe?
« Reply #13 on: December 31, 2008, 08:35:56 PM »
Quote from: Antag on December 31, 2008, 03:28:30 PM
Friend IMO

A recession is not a nuclear winter.  Most people will keep their jobs and/or be able to find another one.  Money still changes hands, things are still made, bought & sold.

Yes, there will be pain.  Yes, some people will struggle.

On a personal note, the current economic climate has certainly changed my immediate purchasing plans.  There's no way I'm importing a Jackson, Engl or Warmoth with the current £:$ & £:€ rates.  However, other people stand to benefit from that - Feline & BKP will probably see more business from me.

FWIW, it's not my first recession either.  I made a killing in the last one.  Not that I'm complacent - things could go south very rapidly & I'm more exposed financially than I'd like.  But I'm an optimist when it comes to transient economic conditions - there are always opportunities & fundamentally the capitalist system works....

Pretty much agree with all of that.

The popular media makes things seem worse than they actually are - yes there will be pain, but the economy was living way beyond its means, quite frankly, for some time.

I think that there's a difference between capitalism and politics.  Capitalism with the political will to do good is a good thing; albeit rare...

Mark.
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maverickf1jockey

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Re: 2009 - Friend or Foe?
« Reply #14 on: December 31, 2008, 09:00:59 PM »
^The same could be said for any system of government, from national-socialism to communist uprising.
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I too use chicken as a measurement.
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