Chaps, how's business?
Chaps, how's business?
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Discussion

Balmoral Green

Original Poster:

42,561 posts

279 months

Thursday 13th March 2008
quotequote all
Talk of a downturn in the economy, the really st budget etc. So how is business? At the start of this year, I had a really good January. February turned out poor though, well below average. March is a nightmare so far, with nothing of substance on the horizon. Mid January I had high hopes of a good year, but as we come to the end of the 1st quarter, it's all gone to rat, and I have a very bad feeling about the 2nd quarter. It is like a tap has been turned off.

So, how is it for you?

Roo.

11,504 posts

238 months

Thursday 13th March 2008
quotequote all
Not good would be a polite way of putting it.

Edited by Roo. on Thursday 13th March 18:02

Timmy33

13,014 posts

229 months

Thursday 13th March 2008
quotequote all
What line of business are you in?

Sorry to hear it's not good. I wish I could say something cheeful, but generally we're reckoned to be 9-12mths behind what happens in the US economically. So if you can keep stocks low and a very conservative cash flow position then I would as it doesn't look pretty.

I work in a commodities related role, so it's not to bad at all, but the sector ...Banking is as a whole obviously having a horrible year.

littlegreenfairy

10,134 posts

252 months

Thursday 13th March 2008
quotequote all
Things aren't as good as they have been.

People are keeping their purses shut.

Maxf

8,444 posts

272 months

Thursday 13th March 2008
quotequote all
Property is simply not selling - properties are going under offer but funding is being withdrawn by banks.

We are still busy but not with transactional work.

Maxf

8,444 posts

272 months

Thursday 13th March 2008
quotequote all
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Tonker - are you finding banks are getting nervous about LTVs yet?

Andy_sx

2,410 posts

237 months

Thursday 13th March 2008
quotequote all
This year is looking even worse compared to the last. The import of fresh fruit in conventional reefer vessels has been on the decline for the past 6-7 years slowly, but the last couple have been significantly worse with the container lines going kamikaze (sp) on freight rates and some of the bigger export countries deciding to sell the vast majority of their produce internally due to stronger markets etc.

this time last year we were having 2 - 3 vessels a week, we currently have one a week with no spot charters or anything on the horizon either.

compare this to 5 years ago when i started and we were bringing in up to 8 vessels a week from all over the world with different seasonal cargo's.

theres alot of head scratching and thumb twiddeling going on currently

Maxf

8,444 posts

272 months

Thursday 13th March 2008
quotequote all
WTF - why move this to the business forum??? Surely it is relevant to virtually everyone in employment???

_Batty_

12,268 posts

281 months

Thursday 13th March 2008
quotequote all
Maxf said:
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Tonker - are you finding banks are getting nervous about LTVs yet?
100%'s where pulled today (unless you're a professional) and there are only a few @ 95%
left.
most mortgage lenders are upping it to 75% from what i've seen......

_Batty_

12,268 posts

281 months

Thursday 13th March 2008
quotequote all
Maxf said:
WTF - why move this to the business forum??? Surely it is relevant to virtually everyone in employment???
my thought entirely.
come on chaps move it back please.
not everyone views *every* forum

Eric Mc

125,823 posts

296 months

Thursday 13th March 2008
quotequote all
Busy as ever.

Then again, there is nothing as certain as death and taxes.

Maxf

8,444 posts

272 months

Thursday 13th March 2008
quotequote all
_Batty_ said:
Maxf said:
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Tonker - are you finding banks are getting nervous about LTVs yet?
100%'s where pulled today (unless you're a professional) and there are only a few @ 95%
left.
most mortgage lenders are upping it to 75% from what i've seen......
I meant more with existing commercial arrangements - ie 70% LTV a year ago doesnt really hold water today as values have slid considerably - most banks I deal with are monitoring the situation but not stirring the pot. However, I think its only a matter of time until they want valuations of properties they have already lent on, and potentially top ups from 'owners'!

Obviously this is commercial stuff.

ZR1cliff

17,999 posts

280 months

Thursday 13th March 2008
quotequote all
At the lower end of the retail market [Loose change in comparison], the first quarter is turning out better than expected. Youngsters generally have more funds at their disposal for leisure where as the older customers are being more careful with their cash.

littlegreenfairy

10,134 posts

252 months

Thursday 13th March 2008
quotequote all
Eric Mc said:
Busy as ever.

Then again, there is nothing as certain as death and taxes.
Git hehe

I'm tempted to train as an accountant...

Vixpy1

42,699 posts

295 months

Thursday 13th March 2008
quotequote all
Private custom is a bit slow..

Trade custom has gone Spastic.

I've never known it this busy.

escargot

17,123 posts

248 months

Thursday 13th March 2008
quotequote all
Roo. said:
Not good would be a polite way of putting it.

Edited by Roo. on Thursday 13th March 18:02
Pretty st here too. Fortunately i've got a couple of different interests otherwise it'd be slashing wrists time.

JamieBeeston

9,294 posts

296 months

Thursday 13th March 2008
quotequote all
Busy as ever here, every month setting new records.. people still want the internet it seems.

J

Maxf

8,444 posts

272 months

Thursday 13th March 2008
quotequote all
JamieBeeston said:
Busy as ever here, every month setting new records.. people still want the internet it seems.

J
Wanking will never go out of fashion wink Mother Nature's 10 minute pick-me-up

car.chic

5,995 posts

246 months

Thursday 13th March 2008
quotequote all
Not that great in the motor trade either! frown Things are slow.

Oh well seems it's slow everywhere...

Vixpy1

42,699 posts

295 months

Thursday 13th March 2008
quotequote all
JamieBeeston said:
Busy as ever here, I had to get up before 4pm yesterday

J
biggrin