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Model Forum / General / Railroads / July 2005Price rises on the way?
Hi As you will all have seen by now on the news, China has let its currency, the yuan, float against a basket of currencies. The immediate effect of this was to increase the value of the yuan by about 2% against the dollar. For those who haven't seen it yet, look at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4703477.stm  SignatureJane OO in the garden http://www.yddraiggoch.demon.co.uk/railway/railway.html > Hi > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > For those who haven't seen it yet, look at > http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4703477.stm So it's bad news for model rail and diecast collectors? SignatureMartin S. > Hi > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > For those who haven't seen it yet, look at > http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4703477.stm Didn't know you'd started using dollars in Wales;) Ken. >> Hi >> [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > >Ken. Very droll. SignatureJane OO in the garden http://www.yddraiggoch.demon.co.uk/railway/railway.html >> Hi >> [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >> For those who haven't seen it yet, look at >> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4703477.stm As if Hornby and Bachmann needed another reason to increase prices, bet they go up by 5-10 %! > Didn't know you'd started using dollars in Wales;) He is in Kent? You heard of Dolly the sheep, Dollar is her cousin! pieman > Ken. > You heard of Dolly the sheep, Dollar is her cousin! The knowledge of sheep by the Welsh is amazing! ;-) John. >> You heard of Dolly the sheep, Dollar is her cousin! > > The knowledge of sheep by the Welsh is amazing! ;-) > > John. What's more amazing is that the sheep understand Welsh. Ken. The message <pan.2005.07.22.21.45.34.987451@NOSPAMrosecott.ukfsn.org> from Ken Parkes <cbuffer@NOSPAMrosecott.ukfsn.org> contains these words: > > The knowledge of sheep by the Welsh is amazing! ;-) > > > > John. > What's more amazing is that the sheep understand Welsh. > Ken. And they know that fast running is needed when they see someone from the Valleys with wellies and a pair of velcro gloves... ;-) SignatureDave, Frodsham I just heard that they have found two new uses for sheep in Wales Meat and Wool >I just heard that they have found two new uses for sheep in Wales > >Meat and Wool I think I ought to remind all of you that the last time someone was prosecuted in the UK for performing lewd and unnatural acts with a sheep, he was English. SignatureJane OO in the garden http://www.yddraiggoch.demon.co.uk/railway/railway.html > I think I ought to remind all of you that the last time someone was > prosecuted in the UK for performing lewd and unnatural acts with a sheep, > he was English. I hate to say this but a guy was convicted in Hull a couple of years back for lewd and unnatural acts with a goat. His defence was that it was a female goat, and he didn't realise it was illegal. John. >> I think I ought to remind all of you that the last time someone was >> prosecuted in the UK for performing lewd and unnatural acts with a [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > back for lewd and unnatural acts with a goat. His defence was that > it was a female goat, and he didn't realise it was illegal. And to bring this thread (somewhat) back on topic, he was doing it by the side of a railway line and a whole trainful of passengers witnessed the act! SignatureEnzo I wear the cheese. It does not wear me. >>> I think I ought to remind all of you that the last time someone was >>> prosecuted in the UK for performing lewd and unnatural acts with a [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > side of a railway line and a whole trainful of passengers witnessed the > act! Goat's cheese by any chance? (kim) > And to bring this thread (somewhat) back on topic, he was doing it by the > side of a railway line and a whole trainful of passengers witnessed the > act! That is true! John. >> And to bring this thread (somewhat) back on topic, he was doing it by the >> side of a railway line and a whole trainful of passengers witnessed the >> act! > > That is true! Well lets be honest, your a Welsh* farmer and you find a man doing things with your sheep, would you arange a quiet booting or tell the police and have it spread across the media that the jokes about the Welsh are true? * Insert, Scottish, New Zealand, Australian, Falkland Islander etc to fit. Signatureestarriol >>> And to bring this thread (somewhat) back on topic, he was doing it by the >>> side of a railway line and a whole trainful of passengers witnessed the [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > >* Insert, Scottish, New Zealand, Australian, Falkland Islander etc to fit. I'd get the shotgun out. "Yes, officer, there was a dog off the lead, worrying the sheep". SignatureJane OO in the garden http://www.yddraiggoch.demon.co.uk/railway/railway.html > Well lets be honest, your a Welsh* farmer and you find a man doing things > with your sheep, would you arange a quiet booting or tell the police and > have it spread across the media that the jokes about the Welsh are true? > > * Insert, Scottish, New Zealand, Australian, Falkland Islander etc to fit. *Yorkshire.............. :-) > I hate to say this but a guy was convicted in Hull a couple of years back > for lewd and unnatural acts with a goat. His defence was that it was a > female goat, and he didn't realise it was illegal. A couple of years ago there was a juvenile convicted of of similar offences with sheep around Uffington. His name was never published for the obvious legal reasons, shortly afterwards we noticed the following daubed on the back of a road sign on the A420 nearby: "**** **** Sh**s Sheep". I don't remember the kid's name, probably best that I don't! When I was brought up in Wales I never heard of this kind of thing, it seemed to be an English obsession when I moved to Wiltshire 15 years ago. I came to the conclusion that the Severn Bridge tolls are actually a payment of Sheep rental for the tourists....... Cheers, Bill. >> I hate to say this but a guy was convicted in Hull a couple of years back >> for lewd and unnatural acts with a goat. His defence was that it was a [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > offences > with sheep around Uffington. I'm surprised they persuaded the sheep to testify against him. SignatureBrian Henry Fielding: "All Nature wears one universal grin" On 26/07/2005 20:35, Brian Watson wrote, > I'm surprised they persuaded the sheep to testify against him. Are you implying that the sheep enjoyed it?? :-) SignaturePaul Boyd http://www.paul-boyd.co.uk/ http://www.ecsl-ltd.com/ > On 26/07/2005 20:35, Brian Watson wrote, > >> I'm surprised they persuaded the sheep to testify against him. > > Are you implying that the sheep enjoyed it?? :-) I was once walking <to the station - see how I stay on topic> and going past a field I spotted a yokel grabbing a sheep from behind, and putting its back legs into his wellington boots. My curiosity being aroused, I shouted at the yokel, "Hey there, my good man, are you going to shear that sheep?" Imagine my perplexity when he shouted back, "No, I am not! Naff off and find one of your own....." Boom! Boom! Steve (thanks to Jethro) >> On 26/07/2005 20:35, Brian Watson wrote, >> [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > Boom! Boom! Baa-well? (kim) > On 26/07/2005 20:35, Brian Watson wrote, > >> I'm surprised they persuaded the sheep to testify against him. > > Are you implying that the sheep enjoyed it?? :-) Ewe may say that, I couldn't possibly comment. ;-) SignatureBrian "Anyway, if you have been, thanks for listening." "Brian Watson" >>> I'm surprised they persuaded the sheep to testify against him. >> >> Are you implying that the sheep enjoyed it?? :-) > > Ewe may say that, I couldn't possibly comment. That was Baaaaaaaaaaad. -- Cheers Roger T. Home of the Great Eastern Railway http://www.highspeedplus.com/~rogertra/ > "Brian Watson" > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > That was Baaaaaaaaaaad. That was shear awfulness... ;-) Ian J. > "Roger T." <rogertra@highspeedplus.com> wrote... >> "Brian Watson" [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > That was shear awfulness... ;-) You don't have to ram it down out throats! SignatureMartin S. The message <42e7fb88$0$6480$892e0abb@auth.newsreader.octanews.com> from MartinS <me@my.place> contains these words: > You don't have to ram it down out throats! Oo-er missus! SignatureDave, Frodsham > "Brian Watson" > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > That was Baaaaaaaaaaad. Sorry, he said, looking sheepish. SignatureBrian Henry Fielding: "All Nature wears one universal grin" >He is in Kent? Who he? SignatureJane OO in the garden http://www.yddraiggoch.demon.co.uk/railway/railway.html > "Ken Parkes" <cbuffer@NOSPAMrosecott.ukfsn.org> wrote in message >> Didn't know you'd started using dollars in Wales;) > > He is in Kent? > pieman Do try to keep up with the threads at the back there. Ken. > Hi > [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > For those who haven't seen it yet, look at > http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4703477.stm As the factory making cost represents about 2%-5% of the retail price of a Chinese-manufactured product in the UK, this would translate as about 3p on the price of a Hornby 08. So the answer is probably not! Now, if the licence-holders for Thomas the Tank were to demand higher royalties, that would indeed be serious news for Hornby. Cheers, Steve >> Hi >> [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > Chinese-manufactured product in the UK, this would translate as about 3p > on the price of a Hornby 08. So the answer is probably not! It doesn't work like that I'm afraid. If the factory cost rises by 2% there's a knock-on effect all the way down the line and sooner or later the retail price is increased by 2%. (kim) Not just model railways. Many of the consumer products we take for granted these days are now made or partially made in China. If these increase in price - or as is more likely, cease to fall in price as fast as they have been doing in recent years - there will be less disposable income left in consumers' pockets to spend on other goodies such as model railways. (kim) > Not just model railways. Many of the consumer products we take for > granted > these days are now made or partially made in China. If these increase in > price - or as is more likely, cease to fall in price as fast as they have > been doing in recent years - there will be less disposable income left in > consumers' pockets to spend on other goodies such as model railways. About the only thing *not* made in China is houses, and as you'll all be aware house prices have increased beyond all reason in the last two or three years. That and the resulting substantially increased mortgage payments doesn't seem to have made a serious impact on model railway spending. Even in 2005 when many major high street retailers are reporting lower sales, model railway sales have continued to rise. Not saying this will last indefinitely - in Germany there has been a recent & significant downturn in model train sales, resulting in the announcement of insolvency by Roco, the principle Austrian manufacturer of quality trains. John. > > Not just model railways. Many of the consumer products we take for > > granted [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > Even in 2005 when many major high street retailers are reporting lower > sales, model railway sales have continued to rise. Not saying this will Not for Hornby. Sales fell in May and have yet to show a recovery according to today's Telegraph. The shares are down quite a bit from their peak. MBQ > Not for Hornby. Sales fell in May and have yet to show a recovery > according to today's Telegraph. The shares are down quite a bit from > their peak. Interesting that; maybe their high price / high profit margins are coming home to roost? Wonder how Bachmann's sales are holding up? Certainly we've done better with their class 66s compared with the Hornby 31, but I understand Hornby are happy with the sales of the latter. John. >> Not just model railways. Many of the consumer products we take for >> granted [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > payments doesn't seem to have made a serious impact on model railway > spending. I don't think many model railway enthusiasts are first time buyers? Most of us are of an age where we already own our own homes and have benefited considerably from the rise in house prices. This produces a feel-good factor which makes us more likely to spend on consumer items. (kim) > I don't think many model railway enthusiasts are first time buyers? Most > of > us are of an age where we already own our own homes and have benefited > considerably from the rise in house prices. This produces a feel-good > factor > which makes us more likely to spend on consumer items. Our customer base seems fairly well spread, and includes a significant number who, whilst not first time buyers, will still be challenged with a sizeable mortgage. Are there actually many first time buyers out there at the moment? Locally I'm told it's a real struggle for anyone to get on the bottom rung of the housing ladder. John. "John Turner" <nospam@nospam.invalid> wrote... > Are there actually many first time buyers out there at the moment? > Locally I'm told it's a real struggle for anyone to get on the bottom rung > of the housing ladder. To buy a 1-bed flat, I need a mortage about 5-6 times my salary. Lenders will go that high, but the catch is that they also expect you to be able to pay it back. I live in what is loosely termed the South-West, and the average house price to average salary ratio was something like 7.5:1 last time I heard, which at the time was the highest in the country. I don't see anything to make me think that's changed. Generally, I think it is only working couples that can be first-time buyers, or very well-paid single people. I'm neither, so that bottom rung is a pipedream, and my landlord is getting richer! (the house isn't a buy-to-let). Whilst rambling way off topic, it does annoy me when the media portray the fact that house prices are falling as being bad news. No it isn't, it's excellent news!!!! SignaturePaul Boyd > Whilst rambling way off topic, it does annoy me when the media portray the > fact that house prices are falling as being bad news. No it isn't, it's > excellent news!!!! If house prices were falling, you wouldn't want to buy one in the first place. You would be better off renting. You can't have it both ways. (kim) > If house prices were falling, you wouldn't want to buy one in the first > place. You would be better off renting. You can't have it both ways. If house prices dropped 20% this week I'd go out and sink every penny I had into housing, because in the medium term I know they'd recover and my investment would be a sound one. I see no difference between a potential short-term loss on capital investment and paying rent, both give the opportunity of a roof over your head in return for some cash. John. On 22/07/2005 14:23, John Turner wrote, >>If house prices were falling, you wouldn't want to buy one in the first >>place. You would be better off renting. You can't have it both ways. > > If house prices dropped 20% this week I'd go out and sink every penny I had > into housing Absolutely ditto. If they dropped 20%, I'd be round the estate agent's faster than a rat up a drainpipe. I don't want it both ways - I want to own a house! I won't be buying a house with a view to selling it on, I'll be buying it to live in. SignaturePaul Boyd http://www.paul-boyd.co.uk/ http://www.ecsl-ltd.com/ > On 22/07/2005 14:23, John Turner wrote, >> [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > own a house! I won't be buying a house with a view to selling it on, I'll > be buying it to live in. Well, here's hoping your wish will come true before too long. (kim) > "John Turner" <nospam@nospam.invalid> wrote... > Whilst rambling way off topic, it does annoy me when the media portray the > fact that house prices are falling as being bad news. No it isn't, it's > excellent news!!!! And not just for first time buyers, either. Even some way up the housing ladder I would much prefer prices to fall as it bring the next rung on the ladder that much closer. MBQ >> "John Turner" <nospam@nospam.invalid> wrote... >> Whilst rambling way off topic, it does annoy me when the media portray [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > housing ladder I would much prefer prices to fall as it bring the next > rung on the ladder that much closer. The most likely cause of a fall in house prices would be a drastic rise in interest rates so your monthly payments would remain about the same. (kim) > The most likely cause of a fall in house prices would be a drastic rise in > interest rates so your monthly payments would remain about the same. Doubt that, I'd suggest the most likely cause will be an inability to sell 'starter' houses in some areas because the wage economy is too low. John. The message <dbr178$olp$1@domitilla.aioe.org> from "kim" <ntscuser@aol.com> contains these words: > The most likely cause of a fall in house prices would be a drastic rise in > interest rates so your monthly payments would remain about the same. You mean "drastic" as in a rise to the 18% mortgage rate I was paying in 1975/6...? Or something a bit nearer to sanity? SignatureDave, Frodsham > The message <dbr178$olp$1@domitilla.aioe.org> > from "kim" <ntscuser@aol.com> contains these words: [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > You mean "drastic" as in a rise to the 18% mortgage rate I was paying in > 1975/6...? Or something a bit nearer to sanity? I mean a doubling of interest rates as happened between May 1988 and October 1989 which caused house prices to drop by 42% between 1989 and 1996 (when measured as a multiple of household income). kim The message <dbrfjf$fd7$1@domitilla.aioe.org> from "kim" <ntscuser@aol.com> contains these words: > I mean a doubling of interest rates as happened between May 1988 and > October > 1989 Sorry, I thought you said "drastic"... SignatureDave, Frodsham > The most likely cause of a fall in house prices would be a drastic rise in > interest rates so your monthly payments would remain about the same. > > (kim) I reckon that the key thing that causes house prices to fall is unemployment due to recession - do we want recession? Ian J. >> "John Turner" <nospam@nospam.invalid> wrote... >> Whilst rambling way off topic, it does annoy me when the media [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > housing ladder I would much prefer prices to fall as it bring the > next rung on the ladder that much closer. But the value of your current house would fall, too. SignatureMartin S. > But the value of your current house would fall, too. That's not the point, the point is that at current levels first time buyers cannot buy a house. John. > "John Turner" <nospam@nospam.invalid> wrote... >> [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > a feel-good factor which makes us more likely to spend on consumer > items. Any feel-good factor is illusory. SignatureMartin S. >> "John Turner" <nospam@nospam.invalid> wrote... >>> [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Any feel-good factor is illusory. Really? Why do you say that? Steve |
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