Thoughts about the recession:
I went to a business to see about getting some body work done on one of our cars due to a hit and run accident. Place #1 yesterday told me that the first time they could get me in for an estimate (an estimate!) would be Thursday. I went ahead and made the appointment. I went to Place #2 this morning for the same reason. This business had been recommended as strongly as Place #1. I was told that it would be at least an hour for an estimate. I decided to wait. Fortunately there was an appointment cancellation and I only waited about 20 minutes. It took around 30 minutes to get everything done. They said they could get me in fairly quickly since it didn't appear to be that much work. I contacted my insurance agent and we did the paperwork and I accepted the estimate of Place #2. I figured if it took Place #1 three days just to do an estimate, it could take quite a while to get the repair work scheduled. I called #1 and cancelled my appointment. Both places had been recommended by my agent.
What bothers me is why are so many businesses understaffed with essential employees who actually work with potential customers? My bank is a prime example. There are never enough tellers and long lines every time I go there whether it is in Littleton or Casper but every time they see someone with with a few thousand in the checking account, they try to hook the customer with a financial advisor and there always appears to be a financial advisor available immediately. I wish they would hire more tellers. I think businesses are not hiring people who actually serve people but have cut back on that staffing when those are the folks who are needed. I know a lot of engineers and factory workers have been cut, but the service industries have cut back too far. Those jobs can't be outsourced.