Unions gone wild!

France is in a labour dispute involving recently laid off union members who kidnapped their employers and barricaded themselves in workplaces in protest.

"Workers at a factory operated by U.S. firm 3M held their French manager hostage overnight to protest against plans to lay off half the staff."
French manager blocked in office by angry staff

"Hundreds of French workers, angry about proposed layoffs at a Caterpillar office, were holding executives of the company hostage Tuesday, a spokesman for the workers said.

It is at least the third time this month that French workers threatened with cutbacks have blockaded managers in their offices to demand negotiations. Executives were released unharmed in both previous situations."Angry French workers hold Caterpillar execs in offices

If the managers didn't regret hiring these people before, they do now.

Baseball cap shopping, Recession edition

I need to buy a new cap because my old one is worn out. If you didn't know already, I try to push my clothing to the limit and don't necessarily replace them unless it's deemed hazard to public health.

I shopped around and found this...


It's a retro Toronto Blue Jays baseball cap from their glory days back in 90s. I figure, if I am going to buy a cap, I might as well buy a baseball cap. Anyway, when I saw it, I knew I had to have it - so I made it a priority to check it out the next time I went to the mall. Let's fast forward a little bit..

I held the cap in my hand and turned it over, the price tag read, $35.99. In the famous words of my boss: W-T-F? Since when are baseball caps 40 bucks?! I mean, this fabric that wraps around your head?!?!

Whatever, I'm more mad that no one told me the recession is over.

Editor's Note: See this cap @ http://www.lids.com/pid/20109500
Editor's Note2: Wait until you see my article on the Dell Adamo.

Recession Shopping: A Recession Sized Meal

I don't know how much this costs, but damn.. this is 1220 calories worth of Mexican goodness. (Source: http://www.thedailyplate.com/nutrition-calories/food/taco-bell/big-bell-box-meal-version-2)

I must try this out.. will give a review if I live to tell about it... If you've tried it, and would like to write a review, you know my email. If not, just ask me through email.

Service with a Frown

I am shopping for a couple of big ticket purchases lately and realize that customer service representatives do not take "young" people seriously - let me give you a few examples:

1. I went into a Mazda dealership on a weekday and I was approached by a man in his late 40s. He didn't take me very seriously when I told him that I was looking for a car and I received poor service as a result. He also kept asking for my parents. Every person who walks into a dealership is a potential customer - you should be talking to them like they're worth 20 grand.
2. Looking for a digi cam and they say that the best thing to do is to go to a store and play with it. So I went to Black's and was approached by a sales rep (another guy in his 40s). I told him that I was looking for at picking up photography as a hobby so I need something suitable for a beginner. He told me that the one I was looking at is really good, and that he sold a lot of it. He also told me the specs of the lens (which is written on the lense itself!) but nothing else. Then worst of all, he just walked away! I turned around and couldn't find him!?

Three random guys in a factory who are not in sales.

I think I've unlocked the secret to seeing the real side of customer service reps.

1. They don't care two (expletives) about you if you look like a kid
   
2. Unless you're fanning yourself with a brown stack of Sir Robert Borden's finest (hundred dollar bills), you're not going to get a stare.
3. Therefore, if you want an accurate evaluation of customer service, go shopping dressed in something that makes you look too young for your age or wear something that looks like you're trying to pawn something off to them.
   

Editor's Note: Black's and Mazda were both added to my boycott list.

First Signs of a Failing Economy

A few days ago, I read something in the Star that disproved my theory on the current economic situation. If you've been following my blog, you'll notice that I don't think there is anything wrong with the economy. Well, I concede - I was wrong because a 16-year-old student showed up at this interview despite being stabbed earlier in the day.

(Article of Interest: "Stabbed student shows up for job interview")

"Staff at the King West Vets veterinary clinic said the Central Commerce Collegiate student showed up on time for his 1 p.m. co-op placement interview."

By the way, they went through with the interview and then called the police. Worse, they couldn't even tell him if he got the job! These capitalists make me sick.

"He did really well on the interview and we were very proud of him for sticking to the appointment," said veterinarian Kent Ackerman. He wouldn't say if the student will get the job."

I sure hope he got the job.

We're in the Money

I don't know about you, but I had a very nice shopping holiday over December despite the poor deals that offered no real savings to the consumer. I received my VISA bill at the end of the month and let me tell you, I have been penny pinching throughout January to make it past the month, but pinch no more, as the song goes, "we're in the money!"


Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announced that the Conservative government will run a $40 billion deficit over two years. (Read "$40-billion recipe to juice the economy").

"The budget, tabled Tuesday in the House of Commons, will see government spending increase by nearly 11% to $206.8-billion and revenue drop roughly 5% in the 2009-10, leading to a $33.7-billion deficit.

I did the math, 40 billion over two years divded by around 33 million people and what do you have? Around 600 bucks each! I would like to take this time to let the government know that I accept all forms of payment including Paypal, credit card, certified cheque, direct deposit, practically everything except government issued IOUs. Then I started to make a shopping list of all the things I would buy..until I read the fine print of course.

"The budget casts a wide net, and throws money at a number of fronts. A chunk of the spending programs are designed to expire after the second year. There are permanent personal tax cuts, about $12-billion for infrastructure projects, and financial incentives to persuade households to undertake home renovations. Some analysts said that, surprisingly, the budget did not have a core focus"

First of all, I don't own a house or any infrastructure?! Why does the government decide how I spend my money? I feel as though I would do a much better job stimulating the economy, especially in the industries of beer and popcorn. I guess it's back to penny-pinching for me.

Flaherty Needs Credit Counselling

A girl goes to the bank to borrow money and said she absolutely needs it because her family is going through a rough time. Her dad was recently laid off by the car company that employed him for the past twenty years. She claimed that she only needs the money for a couple of years because she will get a higher paying job after upgrading her degree.

The bank approved her because she had pretty good credit in the past and seemed to be able to manage money. She thanked the loan officer, left the bank, and went shopping for a new pair of shoes.

Photo by: Blair Gable / Reuters

Article of Interest: "Ottawa needs to stimulate economy: Flaherty"

"Flaherty spent $141.09 -- with tax -- to buy a pair of black work shoes, a sign perhaps that his budget will help put Canadians to work."

All I have to say is, those shoes better not be in the budget.

Ted Rogers Rips Us Off From the Grave

Article of interest: Rogers hiking basic cable rates 5.2%

Ted Rogers continues to rip us off from the grave as he raises basic cable fees by 5.2%.

"Despite the weakening economy, all of Rogers’ 2.3 million basic cable customers will see the price of their basic Cable rise from $28.49 a month to $29.999 per month, an increase of 5.2%.

I mean it's basic cable; the reason why people have basic is because they can't afford (or prefers to save) the cash. It's no wonder why people download TV illegally. If there was more competition in Canada, then they wouldn't be so damn arrogant. I personally don't see the point in saving Canadian companies just because they're "Canadian". After all, money is more of a universal language than English. If you can't keep up, then beat it. It's not like Ted Rogers would rush to the aid of Canadian culture since he was the one who renamed the Skydome, "Rogers Centre" (At least he spelled it Canadian/British).

The Declining Economy Conspiracy

Sure, the stock market is falling like crazy and GM may go bankrupt, but I have never been more convinced that the average Canadian family is okay (despite "economic data" that prove otherwise). As usual, I think a picture is worth a thousand words...

I took this picture the day after boxing day at a Tommy Hilfiger in a not-so-affluent part of Toronto. I found one size large shirt - needless to say that it wasn't the best looking one either.

But for those of you who believe in something more astronomical...

In case you can't read it, the fortune reads, "The stock market may be your ticket to success."

I rest my case. The economy is fine - so go out, spend and be merry.

Record Lows...

Did you know gas prices hit 67.9 cents per liter on December 24? That's the lowest since I can remember - took a picture of it, click on it to enlarge.

You know the economy is doing bad when gas prices are half of what they were in the summer and people are still having trouble paying for it.