Americans devalueing their own goods and services

**digital** · 03-13-10, 12:06 PM

Well this morning I figure I go on a rant and talk about how I feel a good chunk of Americans are unknowingly devalueing american companies own goods and services.

My logic behind this general opinion is due the fact I am in the Telecommunication and Cable business and have numerous first hand experiences.

For example most people these days can not wrap their mind around having to pay for the labor for installation to connect services, wiring and equipment with my company service since in the past this industry was so desperate for a customer base they would charge nothing practically to attract new business.

But many companies realized in the last couple years they can no longer afford to do this and stay in business.

It seems like the average american consumer needs a wake up call. If you want things to stay affordable, accessible, and still be a product of america your going to start to have to pay.

Now the industry itself is part to blame for this since in the last decade or so it trainined people with constant markerting and advertising of cheap cheap and pay nothing offers got the american consumer in this mind set.

But on the other hand the average american is having a rude awaking with current economical state that its appetite for services and goods need to be seriously realigned with their actual budget and income.

I remember as a kid purchasing a new tv or a car was big deal. It was investment for the whole family. These last ten years or so its treated as if you were going to the grocery store.

No more planning, and no more saving. Just get it and hopefully we can afford it and if not oh well, so what if it dings my credit mentality.

America, it is time to wake up. Save money, live within your means, stop overspending or buy needless things. God knows you can use the same cell phone for more then 6 to 12 months.

**Langrad** · 03-13-10, 04:27 PM

I work as a tax preparer right now and iv seen stuff even more rediculus. People come in monday looking for a RAL (next day refund) they get told your getting 8,000 back from the government, props. They call the next day and we tell them look the bank said no. Your gonna have to wait two weeks. They respond that cant be right, I need the money now cause yesterday I went out and spent it all. Seriously? How the hell do you spend 8,000 in a day! (more like 10 business hours). I can tell from your return you dont have much money sitting around so why the hell wouldnt you save it?

**deathgodusmc** · 03-13-10, 05:02 PM

In construction they are cutting each others throats to get a job. If they were smart no one would of come down on prices and it would not have effected anything. Instead things that paid 1.50 a foot 3 years ago are going for .50. It's a fucking joke.

**Red_Lizard2** · 03-13-10, 05:08 PM

Originally Posted by deathgodusmc

In construction they are cutting each others throats to get a job. If they were smart no one would of come down on prices and it would not have effected anything. Instead things that paid 1.50 a foot 3 years ago are going for .50. It's a fucking joke.

wellllll that is a major factor of capitalism, compeition

**goldkiros** · 03-13-10, 05:43 PM

Well people need money in their pocket to live well or have it provided. Yes it is sad many spend more than they have(unnecesarily) and do not understand that saving is very important. Now granted there are those who barely make enough to live and much less spend and being paid pittance, alas that's a thought for another day.

**deathgodusmc** · 03-13-10, 05:59 PM

Originally Posted by Red_Lizard2

Originally Posted by deathgodusmc

In construction they are cutting each others throats to get a job. If they were smart no one would of come down on prices and it would not have effected anything. Instead things that paid 1.50 a foot 3 years ago are going for .50. It's a fucking joke.

wellllll that is a major factor of capitalism, compeition

You dont know the area. It isn't compitetion when the ones dragging it down are illegal.

**MuadDib** · 03-13-10, 06:58 PM

Yup, America is stuck in a "spend now, pay later" mentality. And this isn't just your average American, the government seems to be acting like this too.

As someone who is rather stingy with money, I can't but look on and think "wtf is wrong with you people?"

**Firiona Vie** · 03-13-10, 06:58 PM

Unfettered capitalism is a self destroying process, something that moves fast and works brilliantly for a few, and well enough for most, and grounds the unlucky beneath the treads of fair trade and market share. Stir in a little unregulated credit scamming into the brew and watch the chaos bubble out.

But make no mistake, competition that runs amok of fair, practical and healthy regulation (self imposed or outwardly enforced, preferably self) will consume itself. The devaluation of goods and services is only the beginning of the collapse of the old paradigm. While life is getting cheaper by the day in the U.S., wait until life has been devalued in practice as much as we've been artificially reinforcing it's value for decades through movies, music, and video games--that's when you'll see some serious shit happening.

**fly351** · 03-13-10, 09:54 PM

Originally Posted by digital

But on the other hand the average american is having a rude awaking with current economical state that its appetite for services and goods need to be seriously realigned with their actual budget and income.

I remember as a kid purchasing a new tv or a car was big deal. It was investment for the whole family. These last ten years or so its treated as if you were going to the grocery store.

No more planning, and no more saving. Just get it and hopefully we can afford it and if not oh well, so what if it dings my credit mentality.

America, it is time to wake up. Save money, live within your means, stop overspending or buy needless things. God knows you can use the same cell phone for more then 6 to 12 months.

A-fucking-men. I use to live this way been 2000-2006ish, but no more. I was tired of living in debt up to my ears, hell one time I had to borrow some money for my parents just to eat for the week. No longer am I doing that. I am not saying I will never have debt again, I am not gonna save for 10-15 years just to buy a house, but there line you don't cross and way to many American's live outside of the means. I use to have a truck payment, insurance, cell phone, cable, utilities, house payment, and countless other bills and expenses and after a month's pay I had $10 bucks to my name. How is that living?