How prices have changed!

**chook** · 23rd January 2005, 05:59 AM

We have been renovating our home recently. This has been out of shear necessity as the old home was in pretty shabby condition. I hate painting.

But one of the jobs I undertook was to make a large set of shelves for the thousands of books we had hidden all over the house. We had books in cupboards, under beds on top of cupboards, in boxes and (surprisingly) on a bookshelf. When we were organizing the new library I found an old copy of a Carbatec catalog from 1999. I have compared the prices of similar or the same items from this catalog to the current 2005 catalog. I also note that the size of the catalog (and hence range of products) has changed in the six years. The 1999 catalog was 112 pages and the 2005 was 208 pages.

Where possible I have compared the same item,otherwise I have compared similar items

table saw (KS -12K)
1999 $1095
2005 $995

The TSC 10HB was not offered in 1999. You could purchase a 12 inch saw (TSC 12HK) for $1995

jointer (8 inch)
1999 $1795 (CT 200)
2005 $1195 (CTJ 350)

thicknesser (15 inch)
1999 $1695 (CT 38)
2005 $1195 (CTJ 680)

bandsaw
1999 $1695 (SBW 4300CE)
2005 $1295BA 218)

dust extractor
1999 $549 (CT 2042)
2005 $489 (CT2042)

total cost
1999 $6829
2005 $4174

It can be easily seen that it is a much cheaper proposition to set up a workshop now than 6 years ago. I have not taken the effects of inflation on wages into account either. When this is done the differences in prices is even more marked. Allowing for inflation of 3% for 6 years the 1999 price becomes $8154. Or to put it another way if the 1999 prices had risen with inflation you would expect to pay over $8000 for the machines.

**Iain** · 23rd January 2005, 07:41 AM

Unfortunately it's all negated with the cost of fuel to get it home:
1998 LPG 18c litre
2005 LPG 45c litre
Petrol and diesel much the same.
Tassy Oak from my old supplier
1999 145 x 19 $3.40 lm
2005 145 x 19 $6.70 lm

**chook** · 23rd January 2005, 09:50 AM

Originally Posted by Iain

Unfortunately it's all negated with the cost of fuel to get it home:
1998 LPG 18c litre
2005 LPG 45c litre
Petrol and diesel much the same.
Tassy Oak from my old supplier
1999 145 x 19 $3.40 lm
2005 145 x 19 $6.70 lm

You had to do it didn't you! For one wonderful moment (actually about 4 hours) I thought I was winning. Then you had to go and bring in the facts and stuff it all up.

**DanP** · 23rd January 2005, 01:05 PM

AND... The dollar was about 50 US cents back then too.

Dan

**Grunt** · 23rd January 2005, 02:58 PM

AND... The dollar was about 50 US cents back then too.

That is one of the major reasons why the price has dropped. Our dollar buys 50% more now than it did then.

**DPB** · 23rd January 2005, 04:35 PM

And don't forget the influence of 'consumer power'. Up until these Woodworking Forums became so popular, there were few if any opportunities for woodworkers to do anything but act in isolation without any knowledge about what was happening in other places.

Now we know where the good deals are, what prices our compatriots are paying, who gives the better service, what equipment represents value for money, and when new models are about to come on the market, etc., etc.

The 'control' has shifted from the seller to the purchaser. And if we don't like what we are being told here, we can always band together and find a vendor overseas who thinks outside the square. Even if we act as individuals, we do so empowered with better information. Viva the Internet!

**Iain** · 23rd January 2005, 07:47 PM

Sorry Chook, I really didn't think you were so sensitive, here have a tissue and while you are having a little weep, you are right to a point, my income never went up in accordance with fuel prices, and I do appreciate the lower price of quality goods.
I shall now prostate my naked body on the floor (back off girls, I wish

) and beat myself with some inferior MDF

**Kev Y.** · 23rd January 2005, 08:29 PM

Originally Posted by Iain

I shall now prostate my naked body on the floor (back off girls, I wish

) and beat myself with some inferior MDF

NNNNOOOOOOO!!!!! will the nightmares ever end :eek:

:eek: :eek:

**Sturdee** · 23rd January 2005, 09:46 PM

Originally Posted by Iain

I shall now prostate my naked body on the floor (back off girls, I wish

) and beat myself with some inferior MDF

Too much information Iain. :eek:

Peter.

**ozwinner** · 23rd January 2005, 10:01 PM

Originally Posted by Iain

I shall now prostate my naked body on the floor (back off girls, I wish

) and beat myself with some inferior MDF

Ooohwa, come here you spunk.
Ive got part of a stock whip if its any help.

Al

**Grunt** · 23rd January 2005, 10:02 PM

Iain,

Please put some clothes on before next Saturday. Those of us who are going to your place to meet JOW104 don't want to be permanently scarred.

**ozwinner** · 23rd January 2005, 10:07 PM

Now Grunt, you know you dont mean it!!

Al :confused:

**Grunt** · 23rd January 2005, 10:11 PM

Now Grunt, you know you dont mean it!!

Yeah, you're right. I'd enjoy it but Mrs. Grunt is going as well and I'm afraid she'd get the wrong idea about us blokes on the BB.

**chook** · 24th January 2005, 05:50 AM

It is not just Carbatec that have either reduced prices or held them constant. The rise of stores like Bunnings has meant that power tools like routers, drills and saws have become more affordable. It bought a Haitchi (TR12) router 10 years ago for around $300. I have just (this week) bought a Triton router from Bunnings for $346. The triton router is a better router and the cost is hardly different from the price I paid for the TR12 ten years ago.

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