Curry's. - Do NOT buy anything from them at the moment.

[Trainee neophyte]

If cities aren't commercial hubs, what is their point? People flocked to the cities because there wasn't any work for them in the villages - population growth and increased farming efficiency meant no work, inheritance laws gave the land to the eldest son, but luckily the industrial revolution had had a need for desperate, starving peasants in large numbers. That is no longer the case, so why live in a city?

Interesting changes to come...

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Mmmmm ........ I read yesterday someone listing all the wonderful reasons for living in London. They were virtually the same as my list for avoiding the place.

 

[AES]

While it's true that the expansion of cities did indeed begin because of the reasons TN gives, he is - not for the first time IMO - somewhat wide of the mark these days - IMO you're a "typical prophet of doom & gloom" mate.

IMO, while there are plenty of people who do not want to live in, for example, London (me included BTW), there are many who would like exactly that chance but cannot due to prices.

Looking round the world at a number of large cities, there have been many attempts at developments to make cities - or at least some parts of them - very pleasant places to both live and work in. As said, not for me, but as is so often the case, it takes "different strokes for different ......" and all that.

Regarding the future, personally I think that AJB Temple is likely much nearer the mark than the Forum's resident "Greek God"

 

[Blackswanwood]

If cities aren't commercial hubs, what is their point? People flocked to the cities because there wasn't any work for them in the villages - population growth and increased farming efficiency meant no work, inheritance laws gave the land to the eldest son, but luckily the industrial revolution had had a need for desperate, starving peasants in large numbers. That is no longer the case, so why live in a city?

Interesting changes to come...

Because some people (quite a lot) like the lifestyle it gives them in terms of restaurants, theatres, culture and being around people. I have several friends who live in cities around the world who don't need to for work purposes. Cities of the future should be clean, well planned and pleasant places to live.

 

[Roseland 2]

Like many others, I try and buy locally, but I draw the line at Currys/PC World. I bought a colour laser printer (>£1000) from them, and had trouble getting it to work. After a month of it not working I complained and they said it was out of warranty. Although it was personal purchase, on a personal credit card, they had put it through their business sales team. The small print, which I only saw after the event, confirmed their goods only have a 30 day warranty. My solicitor said I stood no chance. Currys/PC World deserve to go bust.

 

[Rorschach]

While it's true that the expansion of cities did indeed begin because of the reasons TN gives, he is - not for the first time IMO - somewhat wide of the mark these days - IMO you're a "typical prophet of doom & gloom" mate.

IMO, while there are plenty of people who do not want to live in, for example, London (me included BTW), there are many who would like exactly that chance but cannot due to prices.

Looking round the world at a number of large cities, there have been many attempts at developments to make cities - or at least some parts of them - very pleasant places to both live and work in. As said, not for me, but as is so often the case, it takes "different strokes for different ......" and all that.

Regarding the future, personally I think that AJB Temple is likely much the mark than the Forum's resident "Greek God"

I'd love to live in London. Not dead centre because I need a garden and workshop but I'd be more than happy to live within the M25 circle. Of all the places I have visited (so far anyway) London is by far my favourite city and we go several times a year for a holiday, love it. Can't wait until our next trip coming up shortly.

 

[Trainee neophyte]

Because some people (quite a lot) like the lifestyle it gives them in terms of restaurants, theatres, culture and being around people. I have several friends who live in cities around the world who don't need to for work purposes. Cities of the future should be clean, well planned and pleasant places to live.

It sounds delightful - a cross between the nicer bits of Amsterdam and the posh apartments overlooking central park is what comes to mind, with theatregoers in evening dress sauntering through leafy boulevards. Unfortunately, I would expect Lagos or Dakar to be a more likely outcome.

 

[Trainee neophyte]

While it's true that the expansion of cities did indeed begin because of the reasons TN gives, he is - not for the first time IMO - somewhat wide of the mark these days - IMO you're a "typical prophet of doom & gloom" mate.

IMO, while there are plenty of people who do not want to live in, for example, London (me included BTW), there are many who would like exactly that chance but cannot due to prices.

Looking round the world at a number of large cities, there have been many attempts at developments to make cities - or at least some parts of them - very pleasant places to both live and work in. As said, not for me, but as is so often the case, it takes "different strokes for different ......" and all that.

Regarding the future, personally I think that AJB Temple is likely much the mark than the Forum's resident "Greek God"

If I am an ancient figure of any kind, I would be Ozzymandius, or possibly Cassandra.

We are discussing a major UK chain having no stock, and an inferred, and quite likely, cash flow crisis. And yet no one seems to consider the implications of this, and whether it is just Curry's or more widespread. No stock = no economic activity.

Put it another way: all the manufactured, contrived crises that everyone is so scared of are irrelevant, but the huge, enraged elephant sitting on your lap is completely invisible to everyone. The economy is no more. It is deceased. It has gone to meet its maker. I could go on.

Winter is coming. Are you ready?

 

[Rorschach]

If I am an ancient figure of any kind, I would be Ozzymandius, or possibly Cassandra.

We are discussing a major UK chain having no stock, and an inferred, and quite likely, cash flow crisis. And yet no one seems to consider the implications of this, and whether it is just Curry's or more widespread. No stock = no economic activity.

Put it another way: all the manufactured, contrived crises that everyone is so scared of are irrelevant, but the huge, enraged elephant sitting on your lap is completely invisible to everyone. The economy is no more. It is deceased. It has gone to meet its maker. I could go on.

Winter is coming. Are you ready?

Back on page one I alluded to this.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I'd love to live in London. Not dead centre because I need a garden and workshop but I'd be more than happy to live within the M25 circle. Of all the places I have visited (so far anyway) London is by far my favourite city and we go several times a year for a holiday, love it. Can't wait until our next trip coming up shortly.

I spent two days there nine years ago, the first time I'd been there in about forty years. If I never go there again it'll be too soon. Vile place.

 

[Rorschach]

I spent two days there nine years ago, the first time I'd been there in about forty years. If I never go there again it'll be too soon. Vile place.

Fair enough. Luckily we all get to choose the places we spend our time, an afternoon in Truro once was enough for me

 

[Lons]

I wouldn't live in London and turned a move down many years ago, it's overcrowded and litter strewn streets don't appeal in the slightest but don't mind occasional visits to see the sights. My niece, a specialist nurse along with partner a BBC political journalist love it there but I suspect their views might change as their baby daughter grows up and they tire of the hustle and bustle.

On the other hand I'd very happily move to Sydney or Perth in Oz and have been tempted a couple of times.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Fair enough. Luckily we all get to choose the places we spend our time, an afternoon in Truro once was enough for me

An afternoon in Truro is enough for me.

 

[Terry - Somerset]

Cities will change.

Many will not return to "old normal", and I suspect the "new normal" may be 3/4 days WFH and 1/2 days in an office. This allows interaction with colleagues, preserves corporate identity and culture, and delivers a large part of the benefits that WFH brings.

Most companies, unless they simply go bust, cannot easily lose existing lease commitments. Owners of office buildings will be reluctant to give up income streams which support building values. So expect any change to be progressive over a number of years, not immediate.

There will be a growth in rent by the hour/day/week pods and meeting rooms on a more local basis to accomodate those who are unable to WFH due to space or family constraints.

Cites can be great places to visit occasionally, but having moved from London and the south-east I would not contemplate returning.

City living requires significant income levels to make the most of the diversity of experiences (music, arts, theatre, museums, food etc) AND have somewhere adequately sized in which to live. Sadly I don't enjoy a 6 figure after tax income!

Suburbs are a non-starter - too far from the centre to easily enjoy the benefits, too close to be free of pollution, congestions, property prices.

 

[scrimper]

You have to go back to the abolishing of retail price maintenance back in the 1964 to find the ‘roots’ of the poor service we find from many large suppliers today.

As a Young man I worked for several small electrical retailers during the 1960’s, in those days all shops sold at the same price and customers bought items not on price paid but the standard of service given by the shop. The result of this was that the customer was ‘king’ and the shops that offered the best service both before and after sale got the business.

The customer profited by RPM because not only did they receive quality service the shops employed people who knew about the products they were selling, on top of this the customers old appliance or TV etc would be traded in and given a decent part exchange allowance.

The trade in was also good for the environment because rather than being scrapped the traded in items would be reconditioned and sold to people who could not afford to buy new.

With my brother we had our own electrical business from 1975 until 1999 when we sold up due to a family tragedy, the business traded on until around 2013 when along with many other small electrical retailers it could no longer compete with the large ‘box-shifters’.

Back in the 1960’s a customer would come to the shop and be given all the information and advice, if they placed an order we would deliver the item (free delivery of course and often same day) and install it for the customer then spend time showing the customer how it worked etc.

In the case of a TV set we would deliver the TV to the customers house and while I was up on the roof installing the aerial on the chimney the other staff person was installing the TV and tuning it in. We did not leave the home until all was working well.

Unfortunately retail price maintenance was abolished and people chose to buy on price rather than service resulting in a few large companies buying in bulk that small shops could not do prospering and resulting in the closure of lot’s of small electrical shops that gave brilliant service.

In the end the customer lost out because in most cases only a few big boys like Currys etc are left and little service is given plus most places now charge about the same prices anyway!

 

[Rorschach]

@scrimper that's all well and good except you are talking about a bygone age when technology was simple and limited. That model simply won't won't today, technology is vast and ever changing.
Customer service is still (fairly) important but the kind of shopping experience you are talking about died decades ago and will never return.

 

[AES]

If I am an ancient figure of any kind, I would be Ozzymandius, or possibly Cassandra.

We are discussing a major UK chain having no stock, and an inferred, and quite likely, cash flow crisis. And yet no one seems to consider the implications of this, and whether it is just Curry's or more widespread. No stock = no economic activity.

Put it another way: all the manufactured, contrived crises that everyone is so scared of are irrelevant, but the huge, enraged elephant sitting on your lap is completely invisible to everyone. The economy is no more. It is deceased. It has gone to meet its maker. I could go on.

Winter is coming. Are you ready?

Blimey, 'ere we go aqain!!!!!!!!!!! Give it a rest, PLEASE! And re "I could go on." Just don't bother, we all know what you "think" (IF "think" is the right word)

 

[AES]

except you are talking about a bygone age when technology was simple and limited. That model simply won't won't today, technology is vast and ever changing.

Re the above quote Rorschach (see - I'm slowly getting the hang of using this new quote system!) surely that's all the more reason for retailers like we were talking about above? APART from price (and often stuff like huge Rates, etc, I see no reason why "that model simply won't work today" - if for no other reason that "technology is vast and ever changing",just as you say. I for one took weeks to learn how to use our last new TV

But there's more to it than that IMO. A lot of us (old fuddy-duddies may be) would gladly go back to "the old model" (and we do given the - unfortunately rare - opportunity). Not only for the knowledgeable advice, but for that indefinable feeling of somehow being valued as a human customer, rather than a unit to be turned over and milked asap.

But please note, again I stress in talking ONLY in the case of buying specialist stuff like tools for example.

But as an aside, I must say that in my own case (and now I'm definitely putting myself up for instant ridicule here - I can't be a REAL man - just wait for it!) I much enjoying going with my wife to buy dresses etc from the better Emporia. While I agree that it doesn't beat the thrill of buying my tools, sitting in a nice comfortable arm chair with a cup of coffee served by a generally attractive young lady and surrounded by other usually at least "passable" ladies of all ages is, IMO, not a bad way to spend an afternoon! Doesn't happen that often these days (Covid and growing old) but nice to recall. Not much to dislike there.

(Now withdrawing very fast, ducking VERY low, awaiting LOTS of incoming)

 

[Rorschach]

Oh you are certainly right that there is room for that kind of retailer in the specialist markets, I was talking more generically since we are on the topic of shops like Curry's.

What you also need to remember as well is that you old fuddy duddies don't make up the vast majority of the retail market, you are not buying new technology on a regular basis. Shops are not going to cater to a small proportion of their market share.

 

[Trainee neophyte]

Blimey, 'ere we go aqain!!!!!!!!!!! Give it a rest, PLEASE! And re "I could go on." Just don't bother, we all know what you "think" (IF "think" is the right word)

So sorry. Everything is awesome! Got it.