marcandalysse 0 #1 August 27, 2004 We have been watching the Hurricane recovery efforts in the surrounding area these last couple of weeks. Hundreds of mobile homes are the latest to be transported down the highway near where I work. Obviously the Home Depots, builders and remodelers, disaster recovery companies, manufacturers of generators etc are all making lots of money from the terrible circumstances. But I have heard of other more questionable money making schemes, playing off the misfortunes of my neighbors. Other schemes are kind of clever, but weird. I was just told that the DAY AFTER Charley hit his neighborhood, there were guys standing on the corners selling "I SURVIVED HURRICANE CHARLEY" T-Shirts!!! These guys must print them up in the days before a storm hits, then drive to whatever place actually gets hit by the hurricanes. This guy started his business after Andrew, and travels to all the major incidents!! Anyone else heard of a money making scheme like this?? Marc "The reason angels can fly is that they take themselves so lightly." --GK Chesterton Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #2 August 27, 2004 Kind of distasteful, but not as bad as the guys who try to sell ply wood for $50 a sheet right before a hurricane hits. Those are the true scum bags. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WrongWay 0 #3 August 27, 2004 QuoteAnyone else heard of a money making scheme like this?? Yeah, need I mention all the useless NY and American flag ploys after 9/11? Wrong Way D #27371 Mal Manera Rodriguez Cajun Chicken Ø Hellfish #451 The wiser wolf prevails. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EDYDO 0 #4 August 27, 2004 Sorry Marc, I just don't see anything wrong with selling "Charley Shirts" or making a reasonable profit for rebuilding or sustaining comfort during a disaster. People make a living off of misfortune all the time. If you are a mechanic, you make a living off of the misfortune of car problems. Doctors make money on accident victims almost daily. the same applies to ambulance drivers and para medics. Actually, I am glad to have them make the (reasonable) profit when it is me because I know that will assure the products and services are there when I need them. In most cases people will not give you money unless in some way you make their life better. When done fairly, it is a win win situation. Ed Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChasingBlueSky 0 #5 August 27, 2004 QuoteKind of distasteful, but not as bad as the guys who try to sell ply wood for $50 a sheet right before a hurricane hits. Those are the true scum bags. Which always made me wonder - if you live in a hurricane prone area and own a house, wouldn't you want to have the boards ready long before it becomes a threat? This way you beat the rush and can focus more time on securing your house and getting supplies. Or would termites eat everything while you stuff sat in the garage?_________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,184 #6 August 27, 2004 QuoteWe have been watching the Hurricane recovery efforts in the surrounding area these last couple of weeks. Hundreds of mobile homes are the latest to be transported down the highway near where I work. Obviously the Home Depots, builders and remodelers, disaster recovery companies, manufacturers of generators etc are all making lots of money from the terrible circumstances. But I have heard of other more questionable money making schemes, playing off the misfortunes of my neighbors. Other schemes are kind of clever, but weird. I was just told that the DAY AFTER Charley hit his neighborhood, there were guys standing on the corners selling "I SURVIVED HURRICANE CHARLEY" T-Shirts!!! These guys must print them up in the days before a storm hits, then drive to whatever place actually gets hit by the hurricanes. This guy started his business after Andrew, and travels to all the major incidents!! Anyone else heard of a money making scheme like this?? Marc Every insurance company in existence makes money off disasters. Who'd buy insurance if disasters never occurred? INSURANCE IS EVIL!... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HeatherB 0 #7 August 28, 2004 QuoteWhich always made me wonder - if you live in a hurricane prone area and own a house, wouldn't you want to have the boards ready long before it becomes a threat? This way you beat the rush and can focus more time on securing your house and getting supplies. Or would termites eat everything while you stuff sat in the garage? You'd have swarms of satiated termites. Houses right on the beach often have hurricane shutters. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimbarry 0 #8 August 28, 2004 Trust the free market. It may "seem" unfeeling and uncaring at times, but it works. It has a price leveling mechanism built-in. If I'm selling $10 wood boards for $40, there'll be someone else who'll sell 'em for $30, and so on. If no one buys the stoopid charley t-shirts, then they're worth nothing. If 1,000s are sold, then they're worth whatever people paid for them. If the supply of something goes down and high demand drives up prices, the seller is NOT a crook so long as the market is uncontrolled. Who sheds a tear when the demand for something dries up, and a vendor is stuck with inventory. No one. Nor should anyone. Works the same both ways. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
