Dow at 11,000 -- a mirage?

B. Tice

Same thing here. This situation coupled with 50 degree weather in Jan. has seen things slow to a crawl. No work at all. I thought people would be interested in some energy conservation due to high energy prices, but no, nobody's spending.
The problem is, they base the economy off how the ultra rich is doing nowadays. They tout the DOW going over 11,000 and yet 10 man. plants probably closed this week.I have been in business since '85 and this is the worst I've seen.All the core industry here is gone or going. What's going to happen??

John R. Hall

Doesn't mean squat around here

I know that a lot of folks are happy to see the Dow Jones average above 11,000 for the first time in 4-1/2 years but I'm not buying it -- at least around southeast Michigan.

Our economy has been taking a hit because of the slump in auto sales from U.S. carmakers. That has a spider web effect on all of the spinoff industries, too. Then throw in the bankruptcy and strikes at Northwest Airlines, where Detroit is one of it's three hubs, and the situation gets worse.

There is an uneasiness in the local economy that is keeping the people from major expenditures, including housing. I know, my home has been on the market for seven months. Houses in our neighborhood were selling at top dollar within days of the listing as recently as a year ago and then the bottom fell out.

I'm curious as to whether the same type of scenario faces people in other parts of the U.S. At least the uneasiness hasn't spread to the HVAC trade -- our people are still busy. But that may all change when higher-priced 13 SEER products and shortages of 10-12 SEER products hit hard in late January and continuing through spring.

All-in-all, not a pretty picture around here. What about your neck of the woods?

singh

What a gas!

Anybody else notice the spike in gas prices this week/
Where's the disaster this time?
Temps. are above average also how can they raise fuel oil again?
I tell you we were lured into false security before the holiday travel and shopping
season. Come first week of Jan, and a jump of .30 cents a gal.?
Yea, its a mirage alright.

Timco

Record warm here in SLC...no one working on their heat at all. "tenants have not complained for months" or "the thing barely kicks on lately so were going to try and ride out this season". Everyone thinks they get a better deal on a boiler / furnace replace or service in the summer. If it was not for the welding, plumbing and electrical remodeling I do I would be dead.

T

John R. Hall

Funny thing

The HVAC people I've heard from today are busy and expect a good 2006. I'm getting two completely different replies from some prominent contractors and from the folks both here and at Oil Tech Talk. Geography perhaps?

Long Beach Ed

On Long Island

The economy is the worst most landlords have ever seen. My taxes are up 300% in five years -- that's around $12,000 for a two family house and rents are down.

People have refinanced and pulled every bit of equity out of their homes and the spending binge is about over.

And I'm looking at real inflation, not the government's "Cost of Living" nonsence in the area of 11%. Nobody is seeing raises or labor fees increase in that range.

Our quality of life is definately slipping here...

We're bracing for some really tight times.

Long Beach Ed

scott inM.E.

I guess we have allittle bright spot here in maine...

To be honest there are not enough gualified tech's in the greater portland area and every were you turn someone is building or upgrading. In the last few month's we have done alot of residential A/C that fill in the gap's with this warm weather. Our no heat calls have been slow, it sucks because the local skiing hurts due to warmer temp's.

Hope thing's get better out there, at least were above ground and breathing.

tom_49

Seems to be busy here in SE Mass, we are doing lots of large additions ( because ," We cant afford to move" ).

We were real busy in the fall doing boiler/furnace upgrades, but with the waarm weather, interest in high eff. seems to have dropped off. We (american )humans have short memories.