While my wonderful wife and I are attending the Mecum auction this week, posting will be sporadic or non-existent. Writing a post using the WordPress app forces one to use the awful Block(head) Editor.
In any event, after posting for 15 consecutive days I could use a break. I am grateful, though, for the resurgence in the number of views and visitors so far in August.
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One year ago today I published this post, titled Why Can’t I Buy This Car?! The specific car mentioned is the Alpine A110, built by Renault. Here is a picture:
Yes, Renault doesn’t sell cars in the US at the moment. However, it would be illegal for me to import one from Europe. As I wrote last year, I do not believe in unconstrained freedom, but why is this car illegal and some monstrous SUV legal? Sorry, but that’s just wrong.
Many blinded by political ideology think government regulation is necessary to rein in big businesses. In actuality, regulation hurts small businesses that lack the resources to comply.
Eighty-three (83) percent of US businesses have annual sales of less than $1 million. Eighty-one (81) percent have fewer than 10 employees. Even so, these businesses employ millions of people.
No, Renault is not a small business. The point is still valid and the regulations that make it illegal for me to import one of their cars actually benefit the big automobile companies that do sell cars here.
There are none so blind as those who will not see.
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Well, I guess my wonderful wife can’t buy the Ferrari California she drove awhile back.
The sign in the windshield indicates it has been sold. Inventory was sparse at the local luxury make complex. While I don’t know for sure, the worldwide computer chip shortage that has hampered production of so many items may be a factor.
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I’ll end today’s post with some desert/sky scenery. See you on the flip side, I hope.
#MondayMusings
#AlpineA110
#SaveSmallBusinesses
#FerrariCalifornia
#DesertScenery
#somanycarsjustonelife
#disaffectedmusings
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Disaffected Musings 
Here’s a real example of the chip/supply shortage. We are remodeling our kitchen. We signed the contract in June with a reliable company. The preconstruction crew came, we have the drawings, and our initial construction date was 9/15. Well, we called the appliance store and dealt with a friend of my daughter’s. She informed me that the range we want is back ordered. A few days later, she informed me that her store got in four; by the time I replied, the store had two. We immediately bought it, and it now has to sit in our kitchen until construction starts.
The other day our crew said they were having a delay in getting the cabinets, which means we have tens of thousands of dollars in limbo until construction can start. It could be worse; we have heard stories of people waiting six months for appliances/cabinets.
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Thanks for sharing, Doc. JIT (Just In Time) manufacturing systems work great, until they don’t.
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” think government regulation is necessary”
Most who think that are the nameless, faceless bureaucrats who think up these regulations. While some regulations actually have good intentions, the execution leaves much to be desired. As one of those small businesses you cited, the costs to comply can be eye opening. A quick example:
About 3 years ago OSHA came up with new regulations regarding concrete dust. As machinery installers, we often have hundreds of holes that have to be drilled into concrete floors to anchor the equipment. The new regulations require us (and others) to use special HEPA filter vacuums (as opposed to a regular Shop Vac) to collect the dust, employees to use special respirators (as opposed to a dust mask), and monitors to measure the dust level in the surrounding area. If the dust reaches a certain level, the area MUST be isolated by curtains and a vacuum system used, OR any other personnel must leave the area until the dust level reaches a safe level. This resulted in us having to spend approximately $4,000 per trailer (3 of them) in new equipment. Now for a bit of reference: the dust level we have to meet is lower than what you or I would be exposed to raking dry leaves from the lawn.
But somewhere a bureaucrat is happy.
And enjoy the auction.
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Thanks, DDM. Most of the bureaucrats have never really worked in the “real” world.
It’s actually frightening to think that so many regulations are created and implemented by people who are not elected. I am not afraid of dissolution if I live to see it (I doubt I will); I welcome it.
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Enjoy your time at the Mecum Auction. When we returned from Arizona, we discovered our brand new refrigerator (purchased in October 2020), quit cooling. our condo was filled with the stench of rotting meat. Long story short, we were very lucky that a replacement fridge was available in Minneapolis, and in a couple of days, they replaced the defective unit.
Of course, since the first one failed, I am not sure of the brand reliability of the replacement. When we leave again for Arizona in November, the freezer will be empty. 🙂
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Thanks, JS. Sorry to read about the fridge. It is only when machines fail that they remind us how powerful they are.
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