"Depression" - Orchid Board

DebsC · #1 03-13-2009, 08:43 PM

Has the world wide financial depression affected your orchid collection? If so, in what way?

Do you still buy as many orchids as you did a few years ago? Pay as much? Search for sales? Have you become more selective about what you buy?

Or has the depression left your collection and obsession untouched?

(..._...) · #2 03-13-2009, 08:47 PM

Well I don't have a large collection, so I may not be affected as much as those who maybe need to pay to heat a greenhouse etc, but since here in Quebec orchids tend to cost more (I could order online, but shipping adds up as well), I certainly think twice before spending 40-60 dollars on a new orchid!

dravenxavier · #3 03-13-2009, 09:32 PM

After the store I worked at had to close, I've been struggling, so unfortunately will not be able to get any new orchids for a long while. Though I did manage to scrape together enough money for an order a little over $100, which never arrived, so now I'm also out over $100 for orchids I never got. *sigh*

Amanda L · #4 03-13-2009, 10:30 PM

Dravenxavier, have you contacted the seller? There is no reason you should be out that kind of money! At the very least file a claim with the post office, or whoever shipped the item. $100 is a lot of money to be out, and given your circumstances you should have something beautiful to look forward to.

To answer the question of this post. For 6 months my husband was out of work and I had to pay the majority of the bills for a couple of months. Luckily he now has a job, though it's only part time. I have a very stable job, working in the healthcare industry, so was able to do so by cutting out anything extra. I feel so sorry for the people who have lost their jobs and homes and can't find work in these hard times! It's so sad to see the state the country is in. Just shows how much greed affects everyone! Good luck to those who are struggling. Keep your head up and your spirits high, even when it's so hard to do that. Things will turn around eventually and we can all get back to buying the orchids we love and the supplies we need. Maybe even that "Big Girl" camera I have been wanting for years!

SP2340 · #5 03-13-2009, 10:51 PM

Yes!!! I lost my job in the beginning of December, so no orchids for me!

Sandy4453 · #6 03-13-2009, 10:56 PM

An orchid collection has a curious, innocent way of consuming cash while all the time you are under the illusion that you are spending nothing.

Depression is an awful trap...been there quite a lot the past 2 years. I'd rather have this one pleasure than anything else materially or otherwise, right now. I can do without another trinket for the luxury of the thrill I derive from adding to my collection. And, so it goes...

quiltergal · #7 03-13-2009, 11:10 PM

My son lost his job. He is the renter of our townhouse, so we've been carrying the mortgage on it with no rent coming in to offset it. Kinda sucks but what are you gonna do. If I kick the kid out he'll have to come live with us! So yes, discretionery spending is not at the level it used to be, and that includes orchids.

dravenxavier · #8 03-13-2009, 11:41 PM

Nope...the seller has canceled their accounts in everything, and I can no longer get in contact with them. The last thing they said was that the item was shipped, but did not divulge a company or tracking number. All emails after that point were never returned.

But now school has just ended, and although I had the top scores in my graduating class, it seems I'm the only one that I know of that still has not located a job. Just my luck? Or hopefully it stands to say that I hopefully won't have to wait much longer. We'll see.

In the meantime, I guess I can always trade!

Once the weather warms up, at least.

lily99 · #9 03-13-2009, 11:56 PM

I am fortunate to still have a job, and I have a job I like. The hospitals where I work are staying busy, but the problem is that fewer of the patients can pay us, so we have to make budget cuts. That means fewer people to do the same amount of work, and more stress. More stress makes me want to spend more money, so I see lots of orchids in my future.

Amanda L · #10 03-14-2009, 12:02 AM

dravenxavier, sounds to me like you definitely got scammed. It really ticks me off when people take advantage of other people and take their hard earned money, with no remorse!!! Perhaps next time go through a vendor that is recommended on the board and if no one has heard of them, be wary!

Good luck with the job hunt! I hope you find something soon!