Friday 3 July 2009

Hedge Funds and the UK Economy


Here's a picture of Lily to try and convince you not to skip this post as another hopeless rant about the British Economy.

I bought a Hedge Trimmer the other day from B&Q - a "heart's desire" for many years, even before I had a hedge. Here's Lily checking it over:

Guess how much it cost?

£59.95?

£47.50?

£38.95?

All Wrong!

It cost £9.99 total, brand new with 600w motor and blade cover and plug fitted!!!!

After VAT is removed, B&Q received £8.69 for this lovely item which has been shipped half way round the world from China at a significant carriage cost. Even if B&Q are selling them at cost price for promotional purposes, it means the hard-working Chinese are producing a sophisticated gadget for less than it would cost over here to manufacture the cardboard box and the electric plug. Or possibly just the box.


So we owe the Chinese Trillions, the consultants, bean counters and bankers have screwed what's left of the economy after Thatcher and Blair dismantled it and we're all going to die of swine flu.

My hedge looks really ace though!

9 comments:

Geoff said...

Why is Rog like Bono?

He couldn't do without his 'edge!

That is incredibly cheap. Can you type with one finger?

Ms Scarlet said...

I'm not going to say anything about needing my bush trimmed. That would be tasteless.
Sx

Z said...

Is Lily holding her mobile phone to her ear while running? Surely that's against the law.

Dave said...

I've got a hedge trimmer, but no hedges in my new house.

Mind you, as I once nearly electricuted myself when I cut through the cable, and once nearly cut my leg off when my stepladder fell over, that's perhaps no bad thing.

Rog said...

Geoff: The one finger is actually quite useful when I meet Bono.

Scarlet: That sort of thing should be discussed in Privet.

Z: Now you mention it.... Although the chances of Lily operating a mobile phone (or even thinking) whilst running are about as slim as Jeremy Clarkson starring in musical theatre.

Zig said...

I'm not dying from swine-flu.

That's a terrible price I hope the guilt you feel about exploiting that poor Chinese person is atleast equal to the guilt felt from acepting tax-payers' hard earnt cash for heating you can well afford.

3 Hail Marys and then pop round to do my hedge would ya? It will make you feel much better.

Hope this helps.

Rog said...

Dave: I once acquired 7 stitches in my leg from loppers...and they didn't even have a plug. I thought you were still in beds.

Ziggi: You've got me bang to rights there. I'm so guilty I'm sending my heating allowance overseas to help developing Countries. Well, buying Australian wine at least.

Roses said...

I think it's wonderful, the way you are supporting people over the water. You are contributing to the world economy.

You are ensuring that all those goody-two-shoes developmentalists have something to whinge about, not to mention the greenies about the all that lovely carbon to warm up Planet Earth.

And while you're at it. Burn some more carbon, come to Norwich and trim back some of those bloody plants in my front garden (you have no idea how hard it is NOT to say, come trim my hedge. I've used so many extra words).

Rog said...

Roses: Norwich is the hedge of the known universe. But Obama is in charge now...we don't need talk of the Bush Administration.