Gas prices and stuff

Admin Joined : 17 Mar 2008 Posts : 196

This is my feable attempt at starting a topic so bear with me.

How are the gas prices effecting you? I know a lot of performers have to travel a lot and wondering how you are coping. Not only that but it affects your personal lives and working lives if you have a "day" job so to speak. Looking forward to hear from some of you.

I know personally, I have cut back on some of my magic related purchase for a bit since I work directly for a car manufacturer until things pick up again which shouldn't be too long due a shift in our product line up coming up. Reprogramming robots....new equipment...etc should be coming up. The Altima section where I work is in overdrive however. We can't make them fast enough due to sales. However, it does give me some good time to actually digest a lot of stuff I already have.

Also, please post a review if you have come across something interesting in your magic or mentalism related purchases and let all of us "in on it". That way we can make wise and informed purchases and even help some of the creators keep coming up with the "good stuff". I know there has been a significant amount of interest in, and happy customers with, the effect "White Star" over at the green place so stick a review over here since it has been kind of quiet in here as of late.

AT

Subject: Re: Gas prices and stuff Sun Jun 29, 2008 10:41 pm

I wish I could say that I fortold the gas crisis as I started selling my "stuff" that needed truck and trailer to do a show. I am, however, happy that it is moving and I can start looking for a mentaslists size car with good milage and nominal hauling space.

I am also now adding a surcharge to all out of town driving dates for gasoline.

In town face-to-face solicitation of sales must now be carefully scheduled to preserve gasoline. Our town is about 20 miiles by 20 miles in dimension. My current vehicle gets about 15 MPG with AC on (Temps here are running well above 100) so one appointment cross town can cost $8 gas -- and makes cold calling very unattractive.

Admin Joined : 17 Mar 2008 Posts : 196

Subject: Re: Gas prices and stuff Mon Jun 30, 2008 9:49 am

15MPG - holy shit. We moved out into the middle of the countryside before the prices started going up and regret it a bit now. It's a 40 minute drive to work each way, and about 50 minutes to see familly.
We spend on average $500 - £250 on petrol each month, just to get to and from work. Then you have the fuel prices effecting shopping and all manner of other stuff.

My friend came up from London on the train yesterday because the night before someone drilled into his fuel tank and syphened all the petrol out.. Only about a quarter of a tank of fuel, now he has to pay $200 for a new fuel tank, all for a quart of petrol..

Whats worse is when the main suppliers are posting record profits.
_________________
The basic tool for the manipulation of reality is the manipulation of words. If you can control the meaning of words, you can control the people who must use the words.

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Subject: Re: Gas prices and stuff Sun Jul 20, 2008 12:25 am

I downsized to a Mazda Protege with a stick, I get mid-30 mpg so that helps. The drag is that in the States we don't have very good public transportation - actually, it sucks - so cars are a must. I haven't added a surcharge yet but then most of my shows are in town.