Gone very quiet

[105.4]

egor110 said:

You can't compare to last year , RM were on strike so you'd of mopped up there work unlike this year .

Good point and one which I’d actually forgotten about.

[Digga]

105.4 said:

egor110 said:

You can't compare to last year , RM were on strike so you'd of mopped up there work unlike this year .

Good point and one which I’d actually forgotten about.

And the government/BoE had been throwing a 2 year long free money party.

[RayDonovan]

Starting to see deeper discounts appearing for sports equipment (mainly Golf).

[Terminator X]

darreni said:

Essarell said:

Wouldn’t surprise me, neighbours of ours, young couple, both NHS workers have a constant stream of delivered food, breakfast lunch and dinner some days.

My sister in laws neighbours, despite complaining of poverty, have starbucks coffee delivered most days. Mental.

This I can't understand as surely it must be cold when it arrives? The few times I have used Deliveroo etc to deliver a take away (a) it has been significantly late (b) almost too cold to eat.

TX.

[egor110]

Terminator X said:

darreni said:

Essarell said:

Wouldn’t surprise me, neighbours of ours, young couple, both NHS workers have a constant stream of delivered food, breakfast lunch and dinner some days.

My sister in laws neighbours, despite complaining of poverty, have starbucks coffee delivered most days. Mental.

This I can't understand as surely it must be cold when it arrives? The few times I have used Deliveroo etc to deliver a take away (a) it has been significantly late (b) almost too cold to eat.

TX.

There now put in a thermal bag in the take away then in another thermal bag on the bike.

[Gigamoons]

egor110 said:

Terminator X said:

darreni said:

Essarell said:

Wouldn’t surprise me, neighbours of ours, young couple, both NHS workers have a constant stream of delivered food, breakfast lunch and dinner some days.

My sister in laws neighbours, despite complaining of poverty, have starbucks coffee delivered most days. Mental.

This I can't understand as surely it must be cold when it arrives? The few times I have used Deliveroo etc to deliver a take away (a) it has been significantly late (b) almost too cold to eat.

TX.

There now put in a thermal bag in the take away then in another thermal bag on the bike.

Most takeaway food is pretty average at the point of purchase.

I struggle to see how a bike ride across town in a thermal bag improves matters.

But hey, it seems many seem to like doing it!

[Essarell]

Gigamoons said:

egor110 said:

Terminator X said:

darreni said:

Essarell said:

Wouldn’t surprise me, neighbours of ours, young couple, both NHS workers have a constant stream of delivered food, breakfast lunch and dinner some days.

My sister in laws neighbours, despite complaining of poverty, have starbucks coffee delivered most days. Mental.

This I can't understand as surely it must be cold when it arrives? The few times I have used Deliveroo etc to deliver a take away (a) it has been significantly late (b) almost too cold to eat.

TX.

There now put in a thermal bag in the take away then in another thermal bag on the bike.

Most takeaway food is pretty average at the point of purchase.

I struggle to see how a bike ride across town in a thermal bag improves matters.

But hey, it seems many seem to like doing it!

And just how hygienic those bags really are

[DSLiverpool]

Very busy today and this week from candles tk lashes, Land Rover parts to beds - all busy!

[105.4]

DSLiverpool said:

Very busy today and this week from candles tk lashes, Land Rover parts to beds - all busy!

Yep.

I’m about to have my busiest week ever, in my busiest month ever, in what is already my busiest year ever. And the predictions for December are even higher than what November has been.

[Fusion777]

We've landed a very big job/contract this week (electronics manufacturing)

Have won quite a bit of business the last 4/5 months.

[okgo]

105.4 said:

Yep.

I’m about to have my busiest week ever, in my busiest month ever, in what is already my busiest year ever. And the predictions for December are even higher than what November has been.

Thing is, your business will continue to get busier regardless as fewer and fewer people piss about in town centers and buy online. It isn’t a sure fire sign of better economic times as much as it is people changing their habits.

Source - I sell software to household name brands that want to drive a personalised online experience at scale to drive far more sales on digital channels. Every big brand is on the same mission and it ain’t to open more shops.

[ashleyman]

Well my couriers are going to be busy next week.

I remember last years Black Friday being pretty underwhelming whereas this year I am finding no end of deals. 30% minimum discount on most stuff. Some stuff nearly 50% with some ridiculous cashback incentives also.

Spent a bit more than I would have liked but it's all stuff I have been holding off to buy + some nice to haves. Last thing on the list is a washing machine and again, 20% eBay cashback makes it a fairly healthy saving.

Also needed a bathroom vanity unit at short notice and with the sales it's costing half the price of the one I got let down on.

I wonder how much these sales are facilitated by prices being so far inflated that people haven't been buying that stuff is now selling for what it should be costing without the discounts.

[okgo]

I think there’s stats to suggest most things are not cheaper in BF that’ll they can be found at other times of year.

I bought a leather bag. £1050 usually. Down to £840, Amex cash back offer of £50 on top - hard to see it being cheaper in Jan but I’ll certainly be looking.

[Phooey]

Hearing and seeing an uptick this week.. good to see the UK is back to spending. Consumer confidence obviously increasing.

[Louis Balfour]

Phooey said:

Hearing and seeing an uptick this week.. good to see the UK is back to spending. Consumer confidence obviously increasing.

Sailors on shore leave?

[Phooey]

Louis Balfour said:

Sailors on shore leave?

Sea men everywhere

[105.4]

okgo said:

Thing is, your business will continue to get busier regardless as fewer and fewer people piss about in town centers and buy online. It isn’t a sure fire sign of better economic times as much as it is people changing their habits.

Source - I sell software to household name brands that want to drive a personalised online experience at scale to drive far more sales on digital channels. Every big brand is on the same mission and it ain’t to open more shops.

I’ve no doubt that you are correct. Interesting news on your own software sales experience.

This time last year a lot of my customers were complaining about the cost of turning on the lights and heating.

This year I’ve heard barely a whimper, although up until today it has been quite mild. Bearing in mind that 2/3rds of my customers are on the electric / gas keys, (PAYG), making utilities even more expensive.

[classicaholic]

Engineering here, We have had a very good couple of months with much more work than expected for new machines but still short order book, customers are making quick decisions and wanting immediate delivery, at least we can afford a turkey this Christmas!

[Phooey]

Most people I've spoken to in various businesses this past month have all said business is good. Mid-late Summer was generally slow, but seems like the lights have been switched back on. A local architect said enquiries during summer had slowed but (possibly coincidence) since the latest BoE rate hold he has been inundated with new business enquiries and building companies (small and large) he uses are booking into mid 2024 and beyond. He also said materials supplies are nearly back to normal (not prices though!).. but trades people are still relatively difficult to get. Seems 2024 for the building trade will be fine.

[r3g]

105.4 said:

Bearing in mind that 2/3rds of my customers are on the electric / gas keys, (PAYG), making utilities even more expensive.

I'm curious to know how you know this?

"Hi, parcel from Amazon for you. Sign here please. By the way, are you on a pre-pay meter for your gas and electric?"

Or is it that 2/3 of the customers on your round are on council estates and you have simply assumed everyone on a council estate doesn't pay their utility bills and so has a pre-pay meter?