Point To Ponder

RonMartin(deceased)

Gas prices have finally gotten to me. Doesn't matter who's fault these high prices are but they will definitely cramp my style this summer.
The way I figure it if the prices haven't come down in the next month I will have to re-evaluate what I charge for my traveling bonsai classes. Hate to do it. It has been a long time since I raised them. As a matter of fact this will be the first time.
Not crying the blues. Just stating a fact. But then I guess that high gas prices will mean higher prices on everything. Not just bonsai items. Peanut butter as well.;o(
I was planning on maybe starting back to vending at the bonsai conventions. But, again, the gas prices will kill that. By the time I pay for the tables and hotel and gas I'll be broke.
I will probably hit one convention this year ( the Saint Lewis shin dig ) but that will be about it. As a visitor and not a vendor. Much cheaper.
Was just wondering how these times will affect others.
After all even if you don't go to the conventions the prices for your bonsai stuff will be higher. Everything after all travels at least part of the journey to you by truck. And that part will cost more.
How will you cope with this. Inquiring minds want to know ;o)

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DavidN

Ron,
Luckily where I live I have numerous bonsai places to travel to that are within a short distance. However even we are suffering with gas/petrol prices here too. If I plan my filling up of the car on the days when petrol will be the cheapest (which it almost always follows a certain trend) then I can save myself a few dollars each fill up. However I'm guessin where you live you need to travel hundreds of kms to get to places you need to teach at. In Melbourne all bonsai clubs and shows etc are no further than 50km from the heart of Melbourne.

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Bonsai Flora Nursery in Yarraville, Melbourne

RonMartin(deceased)

You may be close to them but how far are they from their suppliers. Yes even you could be looking at higher prices.

ChrisM

good point ron, never did look at the big picture. i was like david in thinking that i am only 20 mins from the bonsai nursery and five from either a home depot or lowes, as well as various other local nurseries, so i never thought it was a big deal. but the customer has to travel to the store, and trucks bring the plants to the store, and other trucks bring the plants from the fields to the warehouse, and so on, gas prices are going to effect every part of our lives. i have about 30 seedlings this year, black pine, trident maple, and white paper birch, guess i'll wait for those to mature enough and in the mean time purchase the occasional, reasonably priced nursery stock. the guy on the forum that always seems to make me laugh has just brought up a point that could bring us all to tears, hmmmmmm. thanks for the insight ron.

chris

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A bonsai is like a good marriage.You commit, for better or for worse, till death do you part. I DO!!!

RonMartin(deceased)

I would have rather made you smile

dbz12fan

I don't have to worry about gas prices for another 11 months, when I get my liscence.

I do not want to get into a political discussion, because if you get me into one, I will never be stop arguing. This does, however, prove that George Bush was not in the war just for the gas. If it was the purpose of the war, the gas prices should be lower .

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"Success demands understanding"-Andy Rutledge

Charles Bevan
Vero Beach, Fl

RonMartin(deceased)

Charles
This discussion has nothing to do with politics. Well, very little anyway.
The question was what are you going to do now that the gas prices are higher not why they are higher. That is all together another question.
Lets try to keep this on track

dbz12fan

Sorry Ron. This is my only point of view relating to the topic, because I do not have my liscence yet.

Gas prices do not seem too high here. They were much higher in other countries that I have visited.

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"Success demands understanding"-Andy Rutledge

Charles Bevan
Vero Beach, Fl

TreeBay

>Sorry Ron. This is my only point of view relating to the topic, because I do not have my liscence yet

I think Ron's post might bring home for you how fuel prices can (and do) affect everything else, from the cost of goods (transportation and trucking) to the price of vegetables (cultivation & shipping) to airline tickets, and now bonsai!

BTW, Did anyone hear about anticipated milk prices increases due to the exports to Europe to deal with their shortages over Mad Cow?

Regards,

Matt

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