Oregon Small Business Association

By Oregon Small Business Association,

William Poundstone’s bottom line: consumers don’t really know what anything should cost. In his book “Priceless,” Poundstone zestfully and entertainingly explains the economics, psychology, and intellectual reasoning surrounding the ways in which producers and sellers take advantage of buyers’ lack of knowledge.

Cost and price are two different notions; the first is a value, the second a number. Worldwide, price-consulting firms, experts in the psychology of pricing, advise companies on how to put the most profitable numbers on their products.  They do so in several ways:
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PC Repair shops fail hidden tests
By Oregon Small Business Association,

Two different studies this year exposed serious problems in the computer repair industry which often goes unquestioned by many businesses.   The Wall Street Journal did a secret study with in-store computer repair being offered by big box chain stores.   Sky News did a hidden study that measured honesty and privacy concerns with the repair industry.   Both studies showed terrible results.

Staples and Office Depot have rolled out their own massive computer tech services campaign with the successes of Best Buy’s Geek Squad.   The Wall Street Journal criticized these stores as not the best place to start.  Their study concluded that a connection with a corporation doesn’t necessarily translate to efficiency and reduced costs.
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Black Friday & Cyber Monday: Some Quick Facts

•    Black Friday spending rose 0.5%, ($54 million), to $10.7 billion, this year from last year.

•    Online sales up 17% (Thurs. to  Sun.)  over the same period last year.

•    Cyber Monday up 11%, more than they did a year ago. Read the rest of this entry »

Polls show recession not over, and publis wants business to help not government

82% of Americans think the recession is not over
62% said business will play a larger role in helping the economy recovery than government
45% rated the economy as the most important issue
62% believe economic growth should take priority over environment Read the rest of this entry »

FLIR Hopes to Bring Military Technology into the Home
By Oregon Small Business Association,

Little-known Flir Systems (FLIR), the world leading provider of infrared technology used by militaries across the globe, hopes to bring its technology to motor vehicles.  FLIR’s success booms despite the recession because of the need for infrared technology, especially during a time of war, but if the company can take things one step further, it could become one of the nation’s most successful anti-recession businesses in history. Read the rest of this entry »

Natural gas prices set to go down
By Oregon Small Business Association

Some consumers are set to benefit from a poor economy, as all three Oregon natural gas providers requested reduced rates in filings sent to the Oregon Public Utilities Commission.  The companies, Northwest Natural Gas, Cascade Natural Gas and Avista Utilities asked for rate decreases ranging between 12.41 percent and 21 percent.  New rates will go into effect on November 1, 2009.
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Weyerhaeuser sells Oregon timberland

Weyerhaeuser Company announced recently that it has agreed to sell approximately 140,000 acres of timberland in Oregon to an entity affiliated with the Campbell Group LLC for around $300 million.

The sale is expected to close in the third quarter of 2009.  The transaction is expected to contribute approximately $100 million after tax to third quarter earnings.  The sale is designed to help Weyerhaeuser’s focus on improving financial flexibility and liquidity.  It is also considering a sale of up to an additional 82,000 acres in southwest Washington.  Read the rest of this entry »

Bush pollution rules overturned

A federal appeals court recently over turned rules established by the Environmental Protection Agency under the Bush administration that allowed power plants and factories to emit pollution over established limits if those entities bought pollution credits.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit found that the EPA rules were not in compliance with the Clean Air Act.  Read the rest of this entry »

Media Suffers from Recession
By Oregon Small Business Association

As the nation faces one of the worst recessions in its history, media groups feel the affects of lowered spending.  The owner of Portland’s channel 6 KOIN TV station entered chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in Delaware, under a financial restructuring plan with debt holders.  In addition, Los Angeles-based New Vision Television, which also owns KBNZ in Bend, will eliminate $400 million in debt and guaranteed obligations and obtain $30 million in new financing.  Both companies deny that the bankruptcies will affect local TV stations. Read the rest of this entry »

Oregon Small Business Association,
7-11-09,

Oregon dairy farmers are in a bind.  The cost of producing a gallon of milk is higher than what farmers can sell it for.  This has forced dairy famers to live on credit and hope milk prices increase soon to stave off potential bankruptcies.

A number of factors have contributed to the current situation.  Increased cost of production beyond the farmer’s control doesn’t allow farmers to cut costs enough to remain profitable.  It is more expensive to feed cows due to competition from ethanol producers for food stock. Read the rest of this entry »