Is capitalism working? Are goods and services getting any easier to obtain?

[mattkime]

I figure this is a topic worth returning to every now and then.

From what I see - overall, goods and services are more expensive although some items in over supply have fallen in value. My local grocery store seems to be having trouble producing bread in its bakery. It seems scaled back. They no longer have the number and variety of full loaves they had a few months back.

At this point it seems more likely that the current state will feel normal before goods and services return to previous levels. At this point its hard to imagine labor availability returning to pandemic levels.

[Speedy]

According to this article (about car flipping), new cars are starting to catch up with demand:

https://www.startribune.com/as-new-car-m...600205549/

Used car prices are softening and new car lots are starting to fill as supply begins to catch up with demand.

While the current car market is still hot, with electric vehicle prices rising five times faster than gas car prices, according to a study by iSeeCars, the fun might be coming to an end. In fact, used-car prices have begun to soften recently.

According to car research site Edmunds, the average transaction price for three-year-old vehicles was $31,302 in July, a 4.6% decrease, or $1,526, compared to their peak of $32,828 in January.

"There's a gamble that prices could settle down between when you buy it and when you flip it," says Richard Arca, director of vehicle evaluation and analytics for Edmunds.

"This situation won't last forever," says Karl Brauer, iSeeCars executive analyst. "Time it poorly, and you'll be stuck with that new car, or have to sell it for a loss."

[Acer]

Been shopping for a car for my college graduating kid. It's a bloodbath.

[testcase]

"Is capitalism working?"

In my opinion NO, definitely NOT working.

[MikeF]

As for the bakery, it could not only be supplies but staff. At our grocery store, staff is down in all the counter departments (meat, bakery, deli, hot food).

[tlh828]

Think of the shortages and lack of variety in the Soviet Union.

[RgrF]

The Soviet system wasn't representative of anything but itself. Capitalism ruled in most of South America and produced as little for its people as did eastern Europe under Soviet rule.

Neither system then offered nor today offers real solutions to problems people are faced with on a daily basis. Systems of governing invariably devolve into satisfying those segments of society that wield the most clout.

He/she/they who have the gold rules.

[macphanatic]

Or are new car sales slowing as more people tighten belts to offset increased costs of food and utilities? Most of the smart people I know have changed their spending habits and they're not in financial trouble. They're just concerned about the next shoe to drop.

[Filliam H. Muffman]

My local Fred Meyer hasn't had in-house donuts for at least a year. I assumed it is because they didn't have enough workers. Cashier at LostDough mentioned that she occasionally worked extra-hours (not sure if overtime) in bakery making the cinnamon pull-aparts I was buying. She loved to eat them but time intensive because of timing the rising of dough with minimal staff.

Edit: Target took a stock price hit a couple of months ago after mentioning that they dumped a bunch of stuff at deep discount because it was clogging warehouses.

[modelamac]

RgrF wrote:
The Soviet system wasn't representative of anything but itself. Capitalism ruled in most of South America and produced as little for its people as did eastern Europe under Soviet rule.

Neither system then offered nor today offers real solutions to problems people are faced with on a daily basis. Systems of governing invariably devolve into satisfying those segments of society that wield the most clout.

He/she/they who have the gold rules.

Capitalism is working for itself, but not for society.