Hey, folks, don't run away with the idea that I like to hear about lost jobs and unemployment. But:
1. I know from listening to my local news avidly that job losses make national news while job creation - new firm start-ups and new business moving into the area as well as expansion of existing ones barely rates a mention on even the local news.
2. Unemployment has fallen dramatically over the last ten years.
3. There are large areas of skills shortages which is why we have to import certain types of skills.
4. The technological skills base created and demanded by companies such as Technics makes much unemployment very short-lived.
5. Consumers such as your good selves are interested in buying a high quality product at the lowest possible price. How many of you would make a major purchase of something like a Technics piano or keyboard at the manufacturer's list price when a quick search of the Internet shows two dealers in England who will supply at a 35% discount (at least) including delivery charge anywhere on the mainland? That hits the high street shops hard (even if they are chain stores) and consequently their staff. Or even something like published music and computer software (copying and sharing????) Am I guilty? Not of breach of copyright, no. But I told my local high street shop how much I could buy my Technics PR604 for through an Internet discounter and invited him to negotiate a deal with me on that basis. I ended up paying more than the discount price because it was worth it to have the local technical support and goodwill, but a substantial amount less than his original asking price. And would you really pay the list price for a car, white goods, Panasonic TV or digital camera?