Oh the economy and some observations

[nadinbrzezinski]

Ok ok, I had to surrender and go to Walmart last week to get some yarn for my mother. yep, they are the only ones who carry that color.

Anyhow I went into the evil empire expecting a cheery greeter to say merry christmas... NOPE

Then I expected to spend at least ten minutes in line... it is how close to the big C? Nope.. instead I spent ten minutes walking around, and checking the place up... sad, empty I got to the register and was out as soon as the checker, who looked bored, finished my transaction.

So I went.. hmmm

Today I HAD to go to target to pick up my prescription meds... folks the place was empty, and it is five thirty on both places.

Anybody else see a problem here? I'd say we are going to have a full of consumption holiday NOT.

In other words, 4.5% my ass, and a bright economy my ass.

Of course top that with wall street insiders selling off... and you may get a picture of what is truly going on, and it is NOT pleasant

[NMDemDist2]

1. hmmm

wonder how online sales are?

[fairfaxvadem]

2. the Borders near me was doing a brisk business today

I went in around 4pm. Line at the register. All because everyone had gotten their 30% off coupon in the mail. That's why I was there. It sure got folks in the door.

But my sister and I were at Tysons Corner the Sunday after Thanksgiving (and for anyone who doesn't know about Tysons, it's not the Mall of America or whatever that place is called, but it is a major shopping mecca near DC. It's a hub of social life in Northern Virginia, which is a pretty sad commentary.)

It was no busier than any other weekend, and we had no troubles at all getting around that day, including having lunch. It may have gotten busier later in the afternoon, but we were surprised it wasn't mobbed. No lines at LL Bean, either, and it's one of the few stores they have.

Maybe it is the year of online shopping. I've done about half and half. I guess we'll find out in a month.

[Porcupine]

4. Readers are more likely to be in the top 20 percent of earners

So they are also more likely to have a few bucks to spend. Some tiny percentage of the population buys 90% of all books.

[fairfaxvadem]

6. and then there are those of us who love to read...

and yet, I stay out of the bookstore because each time I go in there, I drop a small fortune that I don't have!!

I know the library is my friend, but I love bookstores and have to stay far, far away, usually.

[Porcupine]

9. Used bookstores are your friend.

It's like renting books but you get to keep the really good ones.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. I have the sneaky suspicion that our observations

are not isolated.

I also know the top of the line stores are doing fine... which is telling.

Folks we will find in a month, assuming they don't try to hide it

I will also not be too shocked if the ecomony is allowed to crash

Oh and another datum, we've spent our social security money in the war... which is upwards of a trillion right now

As they say, if you are a bushie, mission accomplished

[lectrobyte]

5. Maybe it's emptier at 5:30, but at around 7 or 8 the other night, the mall

seems pretty packed, parking lot pretty full, and doing a good business. I was at Target at lunch time the other day, not jam-packed, but busier than I'd expect for a week day. I usually don't shop Wal Mart if I can help it.

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. I don't shop walmart if I can avoid it either

it was one of those situations where I truly cannot find the color anywhere else

[leftofthedial]

8. I haven't bought anything but groceries and one or two necessities in a store

in over a year.