Is the economy affecting the American billiards industry?

Jennie,
The day of the FAT AMERICAN is over, at least as far as professional pool is concerned. The American professional pool players will have to lose lots of weight and learn to be more frugal like some of our friends in other parts of the world and sleep more than one per room. :rolleyes: :D

I feel that pool can still be an inexpensive form of entertainment and local participation may actually increase as the cost for fuel continues to go sky high.

The devaluation of the American dollar will probably hurt regional and national tournament play. The higher fuel costs and the devalued dollar will make it more difficult for people to justify driving to these tournaments. Local tournaments and local play may hold its own in this recessionary period as people adjust their monetary belt. The devaluation of the American Dollar may help American billiard table manufacturers like Diamond Billiards compete in the international market.

Maybe we just need an earthquake to wake us all up. Best to you and Keith.

JoeyA
 
Yeah i agree, the economy doesnt help! also younger people of today do not do what the younger class of our generations. they are too busy trying to duplicate the top 100 rock songs on Guitar Hero, instead of trying to duplicate Mosconi's 546. Something that takes true talent!

Dont know if i got that # correct, i just took a stab at it! but you get my point..........


Steve
 
stevekur1 said:
Yeah i agree, the economy doesnt help! also younger people of today do not do what the younger class of our generations. they are too busy trying to duplicate the top 100 rock songs on Guitar Hero, instead of trying to duplicate Mosconi's 546. Something that takes true talent!

Dont know if i got that # correct, i just took a stab at it! but you get my point..........


Steve
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I know it's most unusual to come before you so, but I found an ancient miracle and I though that you should know.
 
Casual Observer said:
I know it's most unusual to come before you so, but I found an ancient miracle and I though that you should know.
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And I'm only replying to show my new Signature line.

Doug
 
I'm coming in on this a little late...but what the heck. :)

Despite what the Feds are trying to spoon feed us, we are in a recession....and yes, it is hurting the billiards industry...amongst many others. Like it or not, for most, pool is a luxury past-time.

A huge contributing factor is the decline of the housing market....and it's trickle-down effects. As an example, my ol' man is a plumber. Last year at this time, he was so utterly hammered with work, that he was basically on-call 24/7. He actually had me quit work, so that I could handle the day-to-day of home life with a 10 yr old. This year? There is no work. The only calls they are receiving now are those from homeowners, who trying to save pennies in these trying times, are attempting to do the work themselves, and making a mess of it. There is NO extra money this year for any of the little luxuries in life. It's like someone flipped a switch.

It's not just the billiards industry that is suffering...it's all over. Luxury items and past-times are just not happening. You know it's bad when Harley-Davidson and Volkswagen are having sales!! These manufacturers NEVER have sales! It used to be it was all they could do to keep inventory in stock...not so anymore, the dealerships stand full.

Add to this, the number of individuals who are heading for the unemployment lines due to the housing down-turn...carpenters, electricians, plumbers, painters...trickle down further...furniture makers and carpet/flooring specialists...window manufacturers. And this is not just isolated to strictly stick-built homes, but manufactured/modular homes as well. And the logging industry is all but dead currently, with loggers being told NOT to bring the trees to the mills, as there is no room for them. The projections for the logging industry is that it will remain absolutely flat until the first or second quarter of 2010.

As the demand for consumer goods falls...so will the jobs for those who not only work in the retail industry...but those who actually get the products to the shelves....folks like FedEx, UPS, DHL....not to mention the large freight haulers and railroads. Add to this the rising cost of fuel, and everything goes up accordingly. All one need to do is look at the rising cost of food on the store shelves.

With impact of all of the above....is it really surprising that the billiards industry is on the decline? And, even if the money was there....the advent of the video game is killing the possible inflow of young, new talent. Seriously...why pay money to go out and play pool, when you can sit on your couch and slap a pool video game into the machine?

It's not looking good for pool, bowling, golf....and I predict it will be quite dismal this winter for the ski resorts and manufacturers of the equipment that goes with it.

I don't think the outlook this summer for the vacation industry is all that good either. With rising fuel costs...not only are people not going to be flying, but I predict there will not be much in the way of driving vacations either....this will impact the hotel/motels, resorts like DisneyLand, etc. And forget about traveling in those motor-whale-beasts we all so love.

We are looking at some very tough times indeed!

I count myself lucky, that we had the foresight 6 years ago to built a gameroom and buy a nice, quality pool table. I can play whenever I like, and stick a 6-pack in the fridge for a few dollars. I certainly cannot afford to go out and play the tournaments anymore. And if this all keeps up, I will not be able to play pool leagues in the fall. I know, many think that it's a small amount to pay every week to play leagues...but when you begin to watch every penny you are spending....nightly league fees begin to add up...and it's a luxury, not a necessity like the mortgage/rent, food, gas, and utilities.

Lisa
 
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