Recession effect on Blu-ray

[dmhpro]

What kind of effect do you think the recession we are in or heading towards will have on blu sales in the United States. I know personally last year, i was buying eevry blu that came out, and now have to slow down substantially because of oil/gas/food increases.

[CptGreedle]

I think blu-ray is the last thing I'd worry about. If this gets bad, people will be worried about finding homes and being able to afford living expenses. Blu-ray will be a luxury item like it is now.

[Krandor]

Originally Posted by dmhpro

What kind of effect do you think the recession we are in or heading towards will have on blu sales in the United States. I know personally last year, i was buying eevry blu that came out, and now have to slow down substantially because of oil/gas/food increases.

Blu-Ray is certainly a premium product (especially at the current prices) so if somebody is tight on money, upgrading to Blu or buying movies on Blu will be one of the first things they drop. Same will go for big screen HDTVs, high end AVRs and most other home theater type products.

[haushausman]

I know I've bought lots less the last few months. Gotta cut corners somewhere nowadays.

I hear its the big retailers like Wal-mart that are cleaning up during this economic slow down. And it's not a Recession until two consecutive quarters of decline in real GDP occurs.

Scary to think what the next year holds for us. My Less-Blu Buying is in more of preparation for the worst to come.

[tqlla]

I think... the word is depression. Yikes! the housing markets a mess. Energy prices are sky high, Food... milk. No good.

[haushausman]

Originally Posted by tqlla

I think... the word is depression. Yikes! the housing markets a mess.

Far from a depression. Let's just hope it does not get any worse than a recession.

The housing market is a mess for sellers. I'll hopefully be a homeowner in the next couple months (thanks to this market)!

[blu-backer]

The recession will affect more than just the HDM market. I don't think it will kill it, but it will definitely have a slowing effect on adoption.

[PeteS]

The problems with conversations like these is that they can become self fulfilling..
In an earlier conversation:

Originally Posted by PeteS

We heard many of these factors at the birth of DVD. We argued with those who thought DVD adoption would be gradual and we said it would take off surprisingly fast. DVD proved us right.
..
Health of the economy is the one possible hold-up but I also remember that was the wild card when we projected DVD back in 1996 too. As far as that goes I think our economy needs to be more steadily watching productivity levels rather than stock markets watching themselves and things will go smoother. Will that happen? I hope so.

Yes, certainly seen some challenges out there amongst the folks we service but, again, underlying productivity is there its the financial markets that are swinging. As long as that doen't cut too much into how work is done, Blu-ray should be in good shape.

[Mermen79]

I certainly for one need to stop spending money that I need to be paying rent. It seems like the costs for my uni are going to go up as well for the next academic year.

Eh, the good ol' USA.

[Elandyll]

In a curious way, I could see the recession boost the sales at some point, by the way of the "stimulus package". A lot (and I do mean a lot) of people are counting on that to buy the electronics they couldn't buy with their tax refund (if any).
The stimulus package being sort of a "bonus", there will be a lot less guilt in buying non essential stuff, such as HDTV / Blu Ray.

This being said, it is kinda sad (on a macro economic level) when this stimulus package will actually boost the sales of imported electronic goods

The good side being that retail should benefit from it

[nelsona]

I've already told the wife if it comes to it, I'm selling the dogs before I sell any HT gear.

[DeathByAsh'aman]

I personally have never made more money than I am right now. Ive bought 40 blus since christmas. but i dont think i can keep that up

[nycomet]

Originally Posted by DeathByAsh'aman

I personally have never made more money than I am right now. Ive bought 40 blus since christmas. but i dont think i can keep that up

Congrats. What line of business are you in?

[richieb1971]

44 blu's since October here.

You Americans keep going down down down, then my ££££ will be worth more. Can't wait for Reg A blu's to go down to £5 personally.

It won't be long before the same happens here tbh, your average house here costs well above $300,000, so count yourselves lucky.

[Sith]

blu's problem is less than 35% of the people in the u.s. even have a choice
cause they need a hd display

[guitarist155]

it won't help, no money=no stuff with the interest only loans some people got they are having a hard time keeping their house much less buy blu, but maybe they wouldn't have gotten it anyway, and not everyone is this bad.

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by haushausman

Far from a depression. Let's just hope it does not get any worse than a recession.

The housing market is a mess for sellers. I'll hopefully be a homeowner in the next couple months (thanks to this market)!

I would agree, we are in a recession whether or not our president likes it. As to the housing market aside from the liquidity issue the banks are troubled with the market has been nothing but a giant bubble. A single glance at the prices on the Chicago market (I am also in Chicago) should tell you why there isn't a market at all...when your average monthly mortgage payment is over 3500$ I very much doubt it there will be plenty of owners. Plenty of foreclosures, yes, but an active market, no!

People are losing their homes due to two reasons: stupidity (they went for loans they could not afford to repay) and outrageous property prices. No one can convince me that over 65% of current borrowers can afford a monthly payment of 3000$, and that is precisely the most "common" number being mentioned at CHASE where a family member works.

It is beyond me how a two-bedroom apartment in Des Plaines could be going for 389 000$.

Some people need to wake up and do so fast!!

As to BR, the volatile market has had an effect on everything else. I would be shocked if BR isn't affected by it.

Ciao,
Pro-B

[helli3yte]

Originally Posted by pro-bassoonist

I would agree, we are in a recession whether or not our president likes it. As to the housing market aside from the liquidity issue the banks are troubled with the market has been nothing but a giant bubble. A single glance at the prices on the Chicago market (I am also in Chicago) should tell you why there isn't market at all...when you average monthly mortgage payment is over 3500$ I very much doubt it there will be plenty of buyers. Plenty of foreclosures, yes, but an active market, no!

People are losing their homes due to two reasons: stupidity (they went for loans they could not afford to repay) and outrageous property prices. No one can convince me that over 65% of current borrowers can afford a monthly payment of 3000$, and that is precisely the most "common" number being mentioned at CHASE where a family member works.

It is beyond me how a two-bedroom apartment in Des Plaines could be going for 389 000$.

Some people need to wake up and do so fast!!

As to BR, the volatile market has had an effect on everything else. I would be shocked if BR isn't affected by it.

Ciao,
Pro-B

hmm. a fellow nw suburbanite. let me know if your ever interested to watch a few blu ray's with me

[actionhank]

Of course it'll have an effect, blu-ray is discretionary and people will buy less as their incomes get pinched by reseting mortgage rates, or just the overall negative wealth effect of falling home prices (and equity prices too).

Either that or they just take on more credit card debt

Now if you're with Bear Sterns then you're in a whole different world of pain

Jaime Dimon though God that guy is good...

[fitprod]

Originally Posted by actionhank

Of course it'll have an effect, blu-ray is discretionary and people will buy less as their incomes get pinched by reseting mortgage rates, or just the overall negative wealth effect of falling home prices (and equity prices too).

Either that or they just take on more credit card debt

I'm sure that most of the people that have been getting squeezed on their mortgages are already knee deep in credit card debt at this point. (Our economy is in big trouble... Especially if another Bear Sterns happens.)

fitprod