People different from you: 'The rich are still in the market for luxury items'

[Newsjock]

Source: Fresno Bee

A $700,000 recreational vehicle, a $600 Marc Jacobs handbag, a $90,000 Jaguar XKR.

The nation may be heading toward recession, but retailers report that these items still are selling well in Fresno.
Though many shoppers are cutting back, a portion of the retail market is less affected by the subprime crisis, accompanying falling home values and overall economic sluggishness.

Luxury.

... Randy Haron, Haron Jaguar general manager, said sales of Land Rovers -- which he dubs the "Rolex of SUVs" -- and other cars at the downtown dealership still are doing well. Vehicles at the dealership cost up to $105,000.

... A national survey by the American Express Publishing and Harrison Group of the nation's wealthiest 5% dubbed the affluent the "gas that makes the economy go." It's not clear exactly how many affluent or wealthy families live in the Fresno area. Census statistics in 2006 estimated that the city had about 3,000 households with incomes of $200,000 or more.

Some of them are buying high-end RVs. Motor homes that cost as much as $750,000 at the two Dan Gamel locations in Fresno are selling well, officials say. Those RVs have powerful engines, long bodies, lots of slide- outs and Italian marble inside.

... At Fresno's three B.B. Pepper stores, luxury handbags by Marc Jacobs and Juicy Couture priced at up to $400 to $600 are selling well, said company co-owner Janay Montgomery.

Read more: http://www.fresnobee.com/business/story/373056.html

[Earth_First]

1. So by the logic of this article...

A national survey by the American Express Publishing and Harrison Group of the nation's wealthiest 5% dubbed the affluent the "gas that makes the economy go."

...it is the sole responsibility of the 5%ers that are responsible for the economic recession.

Well what the fu*k are you waiting for? Get out there and SPEND!

:eyes:

[MetaTrope]

2. Another fun factoid

Private jet sales are up 100% :puke:

[dajoki]

3. So the answer is...

for me to go buy a Jag. Let me see if I can get financing. LOL!!

[AndyTiedye]

4. Yesterday There Was a Thread Complaining that the Rich Weren't Buying Enough

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2818494

[MetaTrope]

5. The only "complaining" I see in that thread is from the original AP story

Man, just think of all the Starbucks coffee they're having to cut back on to afford the private jets...