WAHM Forums

Hi Everyone,
I have a question that has been in the back of my mind...and was also asked by friends who know I do online business and they do direct sales as well.


With the price of gas, and people being asked by government to conserve energy...do you think that internet shopping will be more prevelant this season? I know I just bought a ton of stuff for my kids on Tuesday for Christmas just in case gas gets to the point where we can not go out because we cannot afford it. I did not know how I was going to explain to my 4 and 2 year old why there were no presents.


I know this is not important with everything going on the Gulf Coast, but I would like to hear your thoughts.


Thanks


DAWN

That's a good question! I'm just thinking that if the economy goes into a slump, it could be bad news for retail in general (on-line or not).


Just where gas prices are concerned, most people do get up everyday and drive back and forth to work, and this cost alone could hit them in the wallet and cause less spending.


From what little information I have right now, it's not even justthe price of gasthat we should be concerned with. This could impact many different industries and the economy in many different ways.


Ultimately, I am the optimist. If anything, when I turn on the news and see how many people are donating money to the major charities, my heart swells with pride that we live in a country with so many giving and caring people. However, I wouldn't be surprised to see lower-than-usual spending this holiday season.

My friend's father works for Fed Ex - they parked ALOT of trucks since Wed night - this means late or nodeliveries and this is hard for alot of Direct Sales that ship with them(Tupperware uses them I know)- it is because of routes going through the Katrina effected area - no gas or littleavail plus safety issues- if it is this way for them will itget this way possibly for other trucking companies that go through this area - so how are items to get to us - different - longer routes - will cost more for items to get to stores - stores will raise prices - this is all so crazy


The Government has got to step in and stop the gas crunch - plus they have got to get all the effected areas under control safety wise - too many people are being hurt from violence - bad enough so many are homeless, lost or dead


Stop sending shuttles toouterspace and start taking care of ourissues here - there has got to be someway to get this under control


Sorry to go on this way - it is such a mess and appears that it will only get worse before it gets better


Tonja

The governement did release a bunch of barrels,and we are getting some from other countries too. So they are working on it. However, they have to get it here. And a lot of oil was brought in through NO harbors, which is now destroyed. So getting it to places is challenging right now, though I bet next week things will get better.


As a country, we need to understand when one person/state is struck it does affect the rest of us. But we are still the lucky ones. We need to be patient.


And as for the violence, it's sad. Those people will never have a good life. But those who are willing to accept and help will move on to better things.


Debbie

We are not in shortage or Crude Oil. We never have been. We have enough Oil here to supply gasoline for every 50 United States for several months without even importing one barrel. This gas hike is only to attackour fears and wallets. When Katrina hit, the first thing in people's minds was... we're notgoing to be able to get gas.. andsubsequently, they go running to the pumps. Withthe droves of people fluiding the pumps, the station owners worry that there will be a gasolineshortage crisis and then jack the prices. Naturally, distribution would be affected with the Gulf being a major port of imported oil but not to the degree of these gas prices. Let's face it, thousands of our troops are in and running the country where there is enough oil for the entire United Nations. Millions of dollars are spent daily to keep our troops in Iraq and Bagdad but yet we are forced to spend $3.50-$5.00/gallonfor gas while our own citizens in New Orleands, Mississippi and surrounding areas are living in fear and fighting for their own lives. 1000s died because of the initial hit of Katrina but 100s have died and are still dying because of the delay in Aid. Babies have died in the arms of their mothers because of dehydration. As of yesterday, over 70 countries have offered our country Aid in one form or another but our country has not accepted not one offer because of stipulations or regulations that the US has made regarding Aid.


In all honesty gals, I'm not concerned about the gas prices. I'm concerned about the 1000s of lives that have been lost or affected by this terrible storm. It matters not what my children will get for Christmas or how much $$ I will spend getting them back and forth to school everyday. What really matters is how many people will not have a home or food or clothing this Christmas and how many mothers, fathers, wives and children will go without their loved one this Christmas season. Whether it was from Katrina or the ongoing battles in Iraq, there will be a lot of tears shed this Christmas morning and that is what we should be concerned with.


Dawn, I know you said it really wasn't a big deal with the problems going on in the Gulf right now so please don't think I'm being harsh. I know we are all concerned about everyone affected by Katrina. I just get upset when I think about how our nation is handling all of this. I am a very proud American and we live in the most powerful and most wonderful country in the world. It just saddens me to see that our people are suffering when they don't have to be.


Just my 2cents:) Let's all pray that EVERYTHING improves ASAP.

Oh, Nikki, hun, I think we're all with you on this. I don't know of a single person who is capable of watching the news and these events unfold on the the TV screen in front of us without shedding several tears.


With this particular thread, I think the original poster was just focusing on one aspect of all of this and if it will affect spending, affect whether or not people will turn to the internet to purchase as oppose to driving, etc.


I think all of us are concerned about the 1000's in the gulf bay area who have been affected. I know many of us have been discussing this very issue on MANY different threads in the Discuss the Issues folder, and some others. We were not being insentive but, rather, just discussing this one aspect.

yes, I'm not concerned about prices because I know it will get better.


I'm much more concerned about the Hurricane Victims as well.


and Yes, we do have oil here, but it's our reserves. 25% of our oil supply is pumped on the Gulf Coast, which was very damaged. The govt. does not want to tap into the reserves unless it's an emergency. Kind of like a savings account.


But we just need to be patient and let the Govt. focus on NO first.


Debbie

I know Mellonie. That's why I asked for everyone to not think I'm being harsh on the subject.


I think we all know that retail sales and spending will drop during this crazy gas hike. Every aspect of business will be affected. Considering I am in the retail sales business myself, I just wanted to point out that I am not too concerned with my sales and Christmas selling or shopping. My guess would be that internet shopping statisticswill remain the same once the gas situation improves. Otherwise, we may see an increase in internet and catalog shopping because folks will not want to pay the gas and fight the crowds.


I just wanted to jump on platform and give my 2 cents since I haven't posted much on the other threads about the subject. With the situation in Iraq and then Katrina hitting, it really gets you emotional. Hope I didn't affend anyone. I'm just glad that we are all discussing ALL the issues, including gas prices. smileys/smiley32.gif

No offense taken. I just wanted to make sure you (and anyone else) knew that we were not being a bunch of insenstivie jerks who were just sitting around thinking about our sales. If that were the case, then someone would definitely need to smack us around.smileys/smiley18.gifsmileys/smiley36.gif

Here's some more information to keep in mind the next time you go to the pumps:


Companies that Import from the Middle East



Shell.............................205,742,000 barrels
Chevron/Texaco......... 144,332,000 barrels
Exxon /Mobil............... 130,082,000 barrels
Marathon/Speedway... 117,740,000 barrels
Amoco............................62,231,000 barrels

Here are some large companies that do not import Middle Eastern oil:

Citgo.......................0 barrels
Sunoco...................0 barrels
Conoco...................0 barrels
Sinclair....................0 barrels
BP/Phillips..............0 barrels
Hess........................0 barrels
ARC0.......................0 barrels

All of this information is available from the Department of Energy and each is required to state where they get their oil and how much they are importing. But to have an impact, we need to reach literally millions of gas buyers.



Now that's some information worth writing down!


God Bless,

Now hold up. Speak for yourself. I'm the President of the Insensitive Jerk's Club. Just ask my kids..lolsmileys/smiley36.gif

Hello All,


I have to add my knowledge of what all is impacted by the hurricane in New Orleans. I just moved out of the city 4 months ago to Baton Rouge. Anyway, there is more impacted than anyone can dream of. At first, I was the same way as most of you thinking that gas prices were going to go through the roof. Well, yes, New Orleans did have several refineries that will be shut down for a while so that will probably impact gas prices. However, the port of New Orleans was one of the biggest in the United States. Alot of goods moved through that port which is now shut down till further notice. So, many products may go up in price because they will have to find different ports to come in on. Some may not be able to get into the US at all because of this. Also, there is a bridge in the city that did survive but over it runs the only way for goods to pass via train into one half of the United States. When the terrorists attacks where taking place, this bridge was a target being watched and manned carefully because of this. There are so many areas that this storm impacted that we have not noticed yet.


Just had to add my knowledge here. I pray everyday and say thank you that the Lord moved us out of the city before this disaster.


Alison

Dawn~


Gas has already dropped here (NE Ohio). It peaked at $3.19, and is down to $2.99~


Overall, I really don't see that the hike in gas prices will impact the majority. They have to get to work, get their kids to ball practice, etc. I think they will grumble,then be on their way.


I personally love shopping online because I don't like crowds at the stores. I do think that sales will drop some, but I think it will be from their gas heating bill, not vehicle.


Many folks, mostly elderly and very tight/fixed income folks will be devastated over the winter months due to gas prices. The upside to this is that gas/heat & electric will never be shut off based on unpaid bills (not allowed here during the winter months). But many elderly folks will still go ahead and pay for their heating bill before they will refill their perscription.


Final thought~ Yes, I do think sales will drop this year in every sector.

Bianca....


WOW gas dropped by you.....Let's hope that trend moves here. We are still between $3.29 and $3.36, but I think alot of them are just gouging to be honest.


Thank you everyone for your thoughts.....I too agree shopping will be down this year, and I know for me I have started to conserve gas and that means alot of do everything in one day trips (Goodness I hate those)....so I am going to be dependent on internet shopping (I am a shopaholic....LOL)


I apologize to those of you who think it was wrong of me to post this topic with everything going on in the Gulf Coast. I can only think about it for so long, and watch it so much....so I started thinking of other things. It isvery unfortunate of what is going on down in LA and MI. Those people have lost alot, some everything, and so on (Not getting into it here).


DAWN

Praise Jesus! $2.86 today:)


It's getting better by the minute:)

Dawn - I don't think anyone thought you were being insenstive, whatsoever. I know I did not! I think it's interesting to look at the business side of the things and have a discussion about it. If anything, for me, it's kind of a nice break (in a strange way) to discuss this side of the issue as opposed to the emotional side of it as I have spent a lot of time crying for the victims.

I completely agreewith you Mellonie. I just can only take so much, and besides my children...my business allows me to "get away"and take a break.


Thanks for understanding!


DAWN

I know you weren't being insensitive either Dawn. I had watched the horror stories all day theday you posted this threadand then reading that post just made me think "I" was being insensitive for thinking of the business aspects of the storm and not focussing onALL that horror I had been watching all day. Blame it on tv I guess. That's about all they showed for 3whole days!!Not once did I see any positive footage of aidbeing received or people being rescued or volunteers hard at work. All they focussed on was people fighting, hungry, lost, devistated, etc. I just hope these gas prices keep coming down. Ihad spent all my grocery $$ on bottled water thatI donated last week and the kids were getting mad at me for not buyingmore food..lol. Teenagers! Me,Me,Me.. that's all they think about. But that's a whole nother storysmileys/smiley5.gif


Anybody else found gas cheaper than what we have here?

Hi all!

Gas has dropped to $2.89 here in Fairmont, WV--been steady for about 5
days now. I definately have a heart for the victims of Katrina,
but as moms we do think of how it will all effect us
personally--financially, emotionally, etc. As for me personally,
I am doing more business online and less driving to the mall. I
also think that I will be trying to supplement my income by selling
online on ebay or elsewhere.



As a sidenote, my husband has been privileged to work with some folks
from New Orleans. They sent WV a few hundred to stay at Camp
Dawson military base. My husband is a health inspector for that
county, so he is involved with making sure the conditions are "up to
par"; however, he says that mostly he has to answer the phone all day
long for people looking for relatives and wanting to donate. He
got to reconnect a 13-yr old girl with her mother yesterday--the girl
hugged and kissed himsmileys/smiley19.gifsmileys/smiley9.gif
My husband even got "teary-eyed" and that doesn't happen often. I
know that they are a long way from home, but I'm glad these folks are
getting a "vacation" from the mess down south. It's very peaceful
and beautiful where they are staying--some are seeing mountains for the
first time in their lives.

Hi all!


Gas has dropped to $2.89 here in Fairmont, WV--been steady for about 5
days now. I definately have a heart for the victims of Katrina, but as
moms we do think of how it will all effect us personally--financially,
emotionally, etc. As for me personally, I am doing more business
online and less driving to the mall. I also think that I will be
trying to supplement my income by selling online on ebay or elsewhere.





As a sidenote, my husband has been privileged to work with some folks
from New Orleans. They sent WV a few hundred to stay at Camp Dawson
military base. My husband is a health inspector for that county, so he
is involved with making sure the conditions are "up to par"; however,
he says that mostly he has to answer the phone all day long for people
looking for relatives and wanting to donate. He got to reconnect a
13-yr old girl with her mother yesterday--the girl hugged and kissed himsmileys/smiley19.gifsmileys/smiley9.gif
My husband even got "teary-eyed" and that doesn't happen often. I know
that they are a long way from home, but I'm glad these folks are
getting a "vacation" from the mess down south. It's very peaceful and
beautiful where they are staying--some are seeing mountains for the
first time in their lives.