- A serious sign the economy in the U.S. is bad: people are going to the rent-to-own model when it comes to automobile tires. Via Bizmology, "economic concerns are driving more consumers to tire rental companies instead of tire dealers, according to recent reports." The rent-to-own model is notoriously predatory and unfavorable to consumers. The blog post mentions some of this. If you are interested in learning more about models like rent-to-own and other practices that basically prey on the poor to make a profit, the book Broke USA, which I have read and reviewed, may be of interest.
- Via Bizmology, another sign the economy is bad, or that hotels are just trying to do without. It seems that many hotels are now cutting back on having room service. Do note that the higher end hotels will still have it, but otherwise, you want to eat at 3am, pray there is a Waffle House nearby.
- Now, via Boing Boing, an example of someone making a buck or two. It turns out that there is business to be made in artificial fingers. In Japan, a prosthetics maker has expanded business by making prosthetic fingers for ex-Yakuza members. You see, in the Yakuza, failure often means you have a finger cut off in retaliation, often starting with the pinkie finger (if you are a serious screw-up, you may lose multiple fingers). Prosthetics can cost about $3,000.
- And of course, natural disasters always seem to be a way for some people to make a buck or two. We can debate the notion of profiteering or not some other time. Via Bizmology, given the many recent storms and tornadoes, there is now growing demand for storm shelters. Why is this a big deal? Besides the desire of some people to be safe during a natural catastrophe like a storm or a tornado? According to Bizmology, "architects, builders, and concrete contractors could experience an increase in demand for safe rooms or shelters." I do honestly wonder how much of this is people honestly wanting some sense of safety versus people just falling for panic advertising, kind of like the advertising you see from certain home security companies where they clearly advertise by appealing to your worst fears of a home invasion. Architects, builders, and concrete contractors could experience an increase in demand for safe rooms or shelters. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/13/storms-create-demand-for-safe-structures/#sthash.vc9vM2EX.dpufArchitects, builders, and concrete contractors could experience an increase in demand for safe rooms or shelters. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/13/storms-create-demand-for-safe-structures/#sthash.vc9vM2EX.dpufArchitects, builders, and concrete contractors could experience an increase in demand for safe rooms or shelters. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/13/storms-create-demand-for-safe-structures/#sthash.vc9vM2EX.dpufArchitects, builders, and concrete contractors could experience an increase in demand for safe rooms or shelters. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/13/storms-create-demand-for-safe-structures/#sthash.vc9vM2EX.dpufArchitects, builders, and concrete contractors could experience an increase in demand for safe rooms or shelters. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/13/storms-create-demand-for-safe-structures/#sthash.vc9vM2EX.dpufArchitects, builders, and concrete contractors could experience an increase in demand for safe rooms or shelters. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/13/storms-create-demand-for-safe-structures/#sthash.vc9vM2EX.dpufEconomic concerns are driving more consumers to tire rental companies instead of tire dealers, according to recent reports. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/12/financially-strapped-consumers-turn-to-tire-rental/#sthash.Ogswe3vf.dpuf
Economic concerns are driving more consumers to tire rental companies instead of tire dealers, according to recent reports. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/12/financially-strapped-consumers-turn-to-tire-rental/#sthash.Ogswe3vf.dpuf
Economic concerns are driving more consumers to tire rental companies instead of tire dealers, according to recent reports. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/12/financially-strapped-consumers-turn-to-tire-rental/#sthash.Ogswe3vf.dpuf
Economic concerns are driving more consumers to tire rental companies instead of tire dealers, according to recent reports. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/12/financially-strapped-consumers-turn-to-tire-rental/#sthash.Ogswe3vf.dpuf
Economic concerns are driving more consumers to tire rental companies instead of tire dealers, according to recent reports. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/12/financially-strapped-consumers-turn-to-tire-rental/#sthash.Ogswe3vf.dpufEconomic concerns are driving more consumers to tire rental companies instead of tire dealers, according to recent reports. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/12/financially-strapped-consumers-turn-to-tire-rental/#sthash.Ogswe3vf.dpuf
Economic concerns are driving more consumers to tire rental companies instead of tire dealers, according to recent reports. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/12/financially-strapped-consumers-turn-to-tire-rental/#sthash.Ogswe3vf.dpuf
Economic concerns are driving more consumers to tire rental companies instead of tire dealers, according to recent reports. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/12/financially-strapped-consumers-turn-to-tire-rental/#sthash.Ogswe3vf.dpuf
Economic concerns are driving more consumers to tire rental companies instead of tire dealers, according to recent reports. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/12/financially-strapped-consumers-turn-to-tire-rental/#sthash.Ogswe3vf.dpufEconomic concerns are driving more consumers to tire rental companies instead of tire dealers, according to recent reports. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/12/financially-strapped-consumers-turn-to-tire-rental/#sthash.Ogswe3vf.dpufEconomic concerns are driving more consumers to tire rental companies instead of tire dealers, according to recent reports. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/12/financially-strapped-consumers-turn-to-tire-rental/#sthash.Ogswe3vf.dpufEconomic concerns are driving more consumers to tire rental companies instead of tire dealers, according to recent reports. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/12/financially-strapped-consumers-turn-to-tire-rental/#sthash.Ogswe3vf.dpufEconomic concerns are driving more consumers to tire rental companies instead of tire dealers, according to recent reports. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/12/financially-strapped-consumers-turn-to-tire-rental/#sthash.Ogswe3vf.dpufEconomic concerns are driving more consumers to tire rental companies instead of tire dealers, according to recent reports. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/12/financially-strapped-consumers-turn-to-tire-rental/#sthash.Ogswe3vf.dpufEconomic concerns are driving more consumers to tire rental companies instead of tire dealers, according to recent reports. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/12/financially-strapped-consumers-turn-to-tire-rental/#sthash.Ogswe3vf.dpuf
Economic concerns are driving more consumers to tire rental companies instead of tire dealers, according to recent reports. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/12/financially-strapped-consumers-turn-to-tire-rental/#sthash.Ogswe3vf.dpuf
Friday, June 28, 2013
Signs the economy is...weird? June 30, 2013
This post was going to be a part of my semi-regular series (as in when I find material and feel like doing it) on "Signs that the economy is bad." I have seen one or two of those oh so subtle signs, but not many. What I have seen are some odd and unusual stories that show that somewhere, someplace, with a little ingenuity, someone is making a buck. So, here is a bit of both then.
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