The Economy and the Hobby

[Webbage]

The slump in the UK Pound Sterling against the US Dollar is kicking my ass over here. It's not worth importing stuff now that 6 months ago I'd probably have gotten cheaper imported from the US even after import duty. In July my Axial, Sidewinder, 55T Motor and CaslteLink from CKRC cost me no more than a ARTR costs on it's own in the UK. I only buy stuff I can't get elsewhere from the US now, and even then think twice if it involves paying a duty charge.

UK Prices are not too bad at the moment, but they are starting to creep up on some US Sourced goods. I know some HPI parts have crept up a couple of GBP recently. It helps a little that I'm not buying so much now I'm started off in the hobby, and also I'm looking at markets now that are more mature in the UK like Stadium Trucks. Crawling is light years further forward here than it was even when I started back in June. The UK scene is really advancing fast but I don't know how long that will last in the wake of the current economy. The UK is supposedly going to be in recession for most of 2009, probably all if it, at least.

On a personal level I currently have few dependencies and a decent wage, so I'm not too badly off. I have a bit of debt, but I am pushing that back all the time, although my recent R/C spending hasn't done that a lot of good . I'm backing off significantly though once I've got my E-Firestorm. I figure at that point I ought to just keep the trucks I have in good order and hold fire at that. The parts alone to keep the Firestorm running may cost me a good bit as it's bound to get broken during the process of me learning to drive it

 

[RC Addict]

The slump in the UK Pound Sterling against the US Dollar is kicking my ass over here. It's not worth importing stuff now that 6 months ago I'd probably have gotten cheaper imported from the US even after import duty. In July my Axial, Sidewinder, 55T Motor and CaslteLink from CKRC cost me no more than a ARTR costs on it's own in the UK. I only buy stuff I can't get elsewhere from the US now, and even then think twice if it involves paying a duty charge.

UK Prices are not too bad at the moment, but they are starting to creep up on some US Sourced goods. I know some HPI parts have crept up a couple of GBP recently. It helps a little that I'm not buying so much now I'm started off in the hobby, and also I'm looking at markets now that are more mature in the UK like Stadium Trucks. Crawling is light years further forward here than it was even when I started back in June. The UK scene is really advancing fast but I don't know how long that will last in the wake of the current economy. The UK is supposedly going to be in recession for most of 2009, probably all if it, at least.

On a personal level I currently have few dependencies and a decent wage, so I'm not too badly off. I have a bit of debt, but I am pushing that back all the time, although my recent R/C spending hasn't done that a lot of good . I'm backing off significantly though once I've got my E-Firestorm. I figure at that point I ought to just keep the trucks I have in good order and hold fire at that. The parts alone to keep the Firestorm running may cost me a good bit as it's bound to get broken during the process of me learning to drive it

The projection for 2009 is about the same here in the states. I need to ask: Is there as much talk about a one world economy and currency over in Europe as there is here? Seems like things are being pushed into that direction behind people's backs.

 

[Webbage]

Europe already has it's unified currency, the UK seems stuck to the GB Pound. We're not hearing a lto about a 'global currency' but since major world currencies are tied to the dollar rate anyway pretty-much (there are mechanisms and systems in place but ultimately that's how it pans out) then there's not that much need. I think maybe you are just getting the down-draft from over-hypothesising reporting in the USA. I can't believe some of the crap they spew sometimes.

 

[SVORay]

Personaly, I figured a bad economy would equal a sale on the RC hobby simular to the market. So I'll start shifting away from my other hobbies that are effected by the new administration and maybe looking into another RC truck or chopper.