Economy worse or better ?????

[Wright48]

Does anyone think the economy is worse then last year??? Granted it is a really late start to spring here in jersey didnt even start cutting yet but its wierd my phone just hasnt been ringing like it usally does this time of year. people say the economy is getting better i say yea right

[fireman gus]

Here in North Central Oklahoma the weather is great and our phones are ringing off the hook. We seem to be getting more calls this year than last and more acceptance to our bids. We need it to cover the increase in overhead.

[topsites]

Yeah I don't think it's worse but I also don't think it's gotten any better,
I'm with you in that I think it's just as tight as ever, proof is still everywhere...

Just yesterday I went to use a restroom at a family-operated convenience store that's been
in this neck I know of for the past 30+ years, I mean as long as I can remember!
They were closed.
Shut down, for good, I could see through the windows, empty shelves.

Another one up the road, a 7-11 that's been in operation longer than I've lived here,
shut down 4-6 months ago, front windows and glass doors all boarded up.

And like I've been saying, about every week almost like clockwork someone begs (or asks) me for money out on the street.
About the only good news is at least they're still asking (like instead of just taking it from me at gunpoint).

But it's rough if you ask me.

[PROCUT1]

The economy as a whole is worse and going to keep getting worse.

Though. As evidence by my personal situation, there are pockets of the country that are doing much better than others.

[clydebusa]

Well here in Tulsa OK my phone just went crazy in the last week.

[Scagmower48]

Me personally, besides the stock market I never noticed a down turn in the economy. Never had a problem getting work for a good price. Hopefully the guys that have been affected will have better luck this year

[GMLC]

Up here things are getting better slowly. Home sales and prices are up. NH always had a low unemployment rate, but other areas of the country are not as lucky from what I have read.

[StBalor]

I am taking a big hit here. can't get anywhere near what i was charging for mulch jobs last year. also lost 20 residential contracts this year. 12 said they just could not afford to pay me this year and 8 i just cannot get a hold of. i mailed them, called them and i get no replies. been mowing lawns for 18 years and this is the worst i ever seen.

People passing out flyers saying grass cutting 12.99 and mulching at 25.00 yrd.
I don't know how they can do it for those prices. I don't think that these people offering these low prices will be around long, but it sure does throw a wrench in the work we should be getting in the spring.

I have already passed out 7,000 flyers and looks like i will be passing out more this week. I need to try and make up for the work i lost this year so far.

[SouthSide Cutter]

Not to bad here. A lot of Coal Mines, Trucking Companys, Power Plants. Wet as hell right now and the grass is growing like you cant believe. Just got done for the night and came by truck stop up the road 3.98 for unleaded!!!!!! Went up 20 cents today.

[cutbetterthanyou]

Last year when everone was talkin "bad economy" i had a great year. This year different story. I've lost alot of work. Been at it since spring of 02 and buy far the worse year yet. If it gets much worse i will be forced to get a 2cd job. In the past ppl said stuff like "i can't belive all the new lawn care ppl out there" i didn't feel like it was that bad. Monday in one rural area i bet i saw 10-15 new guys with single axles trailers,one mower, and ford expoler/s10 type set ups. funny thing was they all seemed to have hustlers (which in the past haven't been that popular,exmark/kubota country) Guess they all want to be like me, haha.