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  • andres3andres3 Member Posts: 13,934
    Let me be a fear-mongerer for a second. Your million dollar home in CA is going to be worth 1/2 million in another year or two, the market is going to crash.

    So, sell it to me for $600K today! Let me spare you!
    '18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,419
    It's like these officials and self-titled authorities who claim to have such impressive knowledge and credentials never took a basic economic history class, and have never participated in the real world. Oh wait, that's true! I also dispute the claims of them being such great "businessmen" - when you look at the CVs in the newly filled swamp, it is a lot of grifters and those born on third base and act like they hit a triple.

    History speaks for itself. Tariffs and trade wars do not help real people. It hasn't happened yet, no reason to believe it will now. As so many blue coastal areas are heavily involved with trade, maybe this is more punishment doled out by the regime.

    Regarding tariffs in Europe, they are more of a tax than protection. Tariffs on cars that nobody wants anyway are moot. The funds most likely go to help fund the healthy social goods structure.



    Study after study has shown that tariffs cause reduced economic growth to the country imposing them. For every job that is protected in the U.S., the cost of protecting that job is astronomical to the country.

    Basically, done on a large enough scale, tariffs are a suicide mission.

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,419
    If the expert businessmen follow through with their threats and get some trade wars going, there's a 100% chance inflation will increase faster than at any time in recent history, and your rates will indeed rise.
    abacomike said:

    Well, I was able to get a couple of Money Market accounts at my bank at 1.539% for a guaranteed 6 months with auto increase if rates go up in the meantime - thus the money remains liquid should better opportunities arise.

    I was also able to get a 12 month CD at 2.2%.  At least it’s better than the .85% I was getting last year on Money Markets and 1.35% on CD’s.

    Rates are generally on the rise.  I wonder if I’ll ever live long enough to see 5% CD rates again?  I have another CD maturing late next month.  I’m hoping for 2.5% on that one.

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,419
    Those deficits are helped by the inheritance elite billionaire outsourcing so much production of his trinkets and trashy goods to low wage locations he then claims are abusers. Talks tough on China while his son of a conman son in law (of a conman) hawks investments and pay for play residency in China. Talks tough but won't follow up with sanctions. Putting your own sketchy business interests first isn't putting America first. His slogan isn't backed up by his history.
    houdini1 said:


    I agree with you Imid. We are now showing the biggest trade deficits in history and some changes are definitely needed. Cohn, the outgoing financial advisor is a globalist, where President Trump puts America first. Cohn has disagreed with President Trump on just about everything he has done so far. Time for Cohn to go.

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,593
    Don't forget...Ivana's designerware is made.....overseas.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,593
    houdini1 said:

    I'm still confused about how tariffs other countries have on our goods are okay--they don't cause economic problems for them. But tariffs we might put on goods, like steel, are bad. I don't understand that.

    Reducing the imports of steel from China would be good for the environmentalists because of all the fossil fuel burned by the polluting ocean ships being the steel here.

    In terms of producing steel from raw materials, iron ore & coal, here and then various levels of turning it into finished products would increase our GDP. I just drove by AK Steel Middletown Ohio plant coming back from Fairfield today. They are an example of what we need more of.

    Was it dino001 who posted that it's negotiations 101. LOL He's right, in my opinion.
    The publicity would have us believe the world will end. And I don't think NAFTA will Canada will have us nationalizing all Canadian bank accounts and property in this country. Canada is too important as is Mexico.

    However, I recall Ross Perot and the "Huge rushing sound is the jobs leaving" when he discussed the then potential of NAFTA.

    I recall a few years back the administration put a tariff on Chinese tires. That raised the price of my Michelins a few dollars. No problem. But it reduced the dumping of Chinese tires into the market here.

    . Time for Cohn to go.
    A revolving door would be a good idea. Soon there won't be anyone left.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • tbirdmarcotbirdmarco Member Posts: 3,838
     Explore would you enjoying your new truck 
  • tbirdmarcotbirdmarco Member Posts: 3,838
     And ice on your wife having the Lincoln ha ha 
  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 18,331
    nyccarguy said:

    Okay, here's another plumbing story...

    Our water is supplied from a cistern with an electric pump that feeds a 20 gallon pressure tank. The tank contains an air bladder that you pressurize to two PSI below the pump's low pressure switch. The air bladder eventually fails and the result is that the pump runs a lot more frequently. After 25 years our tank was shot.

    The local plumbing guy I usually use has turned things over to his son and he is terrible about returning calls, so I started hunting for a new plumber. Turns out that two of the highest rated shops in my area don't service pressure tanks- I can't imagine why, as it's hardly rocket science. Anyway, the third place I tried sent a guy out. He had never worked on one before and insisted on testing the tank and checking with the head guy at the office before eventually agreeing with me that it needed a new one(I had to show him how to test it, BTW). Nice enough guy- just frustrating that it's so tough to find someone to perform a dead simple installation.

    At least we will eventually get one installed; supposedly the same brand and model, so hopefully it will be accomplished with a minimum of trouble...

    @roadburner - I sell a pump like that but it is tankless. One less thing to go bad. This is the unit from an online retailer. It is actually a pretty good price, especially since it includes free shipping.

    https://www.waterpumpsdirect.com/Bur-Cam-506532SS-Water-Pump/p7177.html
    I'd like to try that but I doubt that the plumber can get it, and I don't want to supply it myself because if there's an issue the manufacturer will blame the plumber and the plumber the manufacturer...

    Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
    Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
    Son's: 2018 330i xDrive

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,356
    talked to my daughter today (in college down south). I have been "consulting" on a car purchase for her BF (who lives up here), who currently has a family hand me down 1995ish Explorer (really crapped out). He had a tentative deal on a used Silverado that was incoming. Was supposed to get it today, but due to weather and an issue with the sales guy, they postponed until Friday.

    Turns out it was a good thing. During today's heavy snow, a tree came down where he parks in front of his house, and did a number crushing the Explorer (that was likely headed to the junkyard anyway soon). So if he had gotten the new wheels yesterday, most likely it would have been the PU taking the brunt of the attack. And he would have been one unhappy camper!

    at least this way, it took any consideration of nursing the old beast along any longer out of the picture.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • andres3andres3 Member Posts: 13,934
    edited March 2018
    stickguy said:

    talked to my daughter today (in college down south). I have been "consulting" on a car purchase for her BF (who lives up here), who currently has a family hand me down 1995ish Explorer (really crapped out). He had a tentative deal on a used Silverado that was incoming. Was supposed to get it today, but due to weather and an issue with the sales guy, they postponed until Friday.

    Turns out it was a good thing. During today's heavy snow, a tree came down where he parks in front of his house, and did a number crushing the Explorer (that was likely headed to the junkyard anyway soon). So if he had gotten the new wheels yesterday, most likely it would have been the PU taking the brunt of the attack. And he would have been one unhappy camper!

    at least this way, it took any consideration of nursing the old beast along any longer out of the picture.

    I'd check that tree carefully and thoroughly for any evidence of sabotage and/or tampering. Seems awful timely to have the junker totalled. :smile:

    Wish I had thought of that technique for the Neon.
    '18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,419
    I wouldn't want this gong show on my resume - if I had to seek real world employment anyway.

    Sorry about getting mildly political there, but my generation and the young kids of my generation will be paying for this mess when those with their little fingers on the button are long gone. When I see opinion at best being somewhat flaunted as fact. I get a little bothered B)
    driver100 said:


    A revolving door would be a good idea. Soon there won't be anyone left.

  • andres3andres3 Member Posts: 13,934
    So in lighter news my daughter is obsessesed with the Dreamworks animated movie "Trolls."

    This weekend I plan on doing a spirited club drive up to Julian in the TTS with brand new but broken in already SuperSport 4S's.

    Initial impression is that it behaves and rides like a quiet street touring tire while giving the grip of an Autocross Treadwear 160 tire with supposedly the longevity of about 360 Treadwear (30,000 miles).
    '18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,356
    get the younger folks out there and voting. It is at least a start.

    Andre, I doubt there is any kind of comprehensive insurance on the old bomb, so not collecting on it. If anything, cost them money since it did run, and could have sold for something off of CL.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • ventureventure Member Posts: 3,168
    nyccarguy said:



    jmonroe said:

    Just for your info, the Bite part of that doo-dad is not what keeps it from leaking other than to hold it onto the pipe so that it doesn't pop off. The internal o-rings are what prevents it from leaking. jmonroe

    Thanks for posting that. I have a 30 year old hot water tank that I would like to replace. It does not have a water tray under it to catch seeps as any leak starts.

    I wondered about the sharkbite type fittings. I may have a retired plumber who would do the install of a tank I buy or he buys. I also can modify to raise the inlet slightly to better fit the replacement tank and do it myself; that slightly short inlet side is what bothers me...


    Have you thought of going tankless?  Shark Bite Fittings are great.  They don't leak & are great to use in places where it is hard to reach or you don't (or can't) solder properly.

    I like Sharkbite fittings where it's hard to reach or a possible fire hazard too.

    When I was doing some work for my daughter and her husband after they bought another house, there was a line that needed capped. As hard as I tried I could not get the cap soldered. For some odd reason water was seeping through. I even tried the old trick of stuffing bread in the tube first to no avail. When I turned the water on the cap went flying across the basement. :D

    I went and got a Sharkbite cap and ended the frustration.

    2025 Forester Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport

  • ventureventure Member Posts: 3,168
    As long as we're talking remodeling - I just installed these recessed LED lights in my family room. No metal housings, dimmable, IC, full range of temperatures (I like 4000k - more white) and easy to install.

    http://www.lithonia.com/commercial/wf6+downlight.html#.WqEKBExFy70

    2025 Forester Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport

  • tbirdmarcotbirdmarco Member Posts: 3,838
     Well stick guy your daughters boyfriend is very lucky that I worked in that fever 
  • tbirdmarcotbirdmarco Member Posts: 3,838
     Wishon good look for me on his new truck that he’s getting tomorrow 
  • tbirdmarcotbirdmarco Member Posts: 3,838
     Wow I’ve heard of that before very rare though the toilet flushing hot water ha ha it is what it is good thing you caught it and it’s fixed 
  • tbirdmarcotbirdmarco Member Posts: 3,838
     Thank God snow wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been here very thankful off to work shortly have a good day all and be safe out there 
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,676
    stickguy said:

    Turns out it was a good thing. During today's heavy snow, a tree came down where he parks in front of his house, and did a number crushing the Explorer (that was likely headed to the junkyard anyway soon). So if he had gotten the new wheels yesterday, most likely it would have been the PU taking the brunt of the attack. And he would have been one unhappy camper!

    at least this way, it took any consideration of nursing the old beast along any longer out of the picture.

    Glad he wasn't in the car and he is going to win on this one...

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,121
    Thanks for the input on the bathroom.

    I’ve been in my home for 24 years....had it built. So, aside from my son and an ex, I’m the only one who has graced it. Over the years I’ve done a redo of the kitchen, made a home theater, pool room, wet bar in the basement, replaced the original HVAC and the water heater(2X), repaved the driveway, repainted many times, replaced carpet with wood, everything is pretty much updated.......except for the master bath. I could use a new deck, too.

    IMID....two pipes burst......both had CPVC on copper, which I guess was acceptable 25 years ago. Now, not so much. The CPVC is what burst. It wasn’t a pin hole leak, either.

    The master has a Jacuzzi Tub and seperate shower. The plumber had to cut part of the bracing for the tub (which was part of the one piece tub) to get to the leaks. He also had to go through part of the garage ceiling to get to the other leak.

    Have a hole and water damage in the garage ceiling that has to be fixed.

    In the master, I don’t think the jacuzzi is salvageable, given the bracing was cut. It looks like mold is beginning to form between the floor and the shower. Not sure what’s under there. But, figuring the very least, the shower floor has to be removed, mold addressed and replaced. I assume taking the glass shower doors off (heavy) is going to be done.

    Tile around tub and shower has to be replaced as the tub will have to be cut out to get it out of the bathroom. Not sure I can match the floor tile, either.

    Now I’m wondering, if all that needs to be done, the only other things to be replaced are the commode and the dual vanity sinks.

    Part of this will be insurance. If I go to the studs, part of it will come out of my pocket I’m assuming.

    The question is how much comes out of my pocket? And, I’m wondering how much, if any, pushback State Farm will give me?

    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,351
    fintail said:

    I wouldn't want this gong show on my resume - if I had to seek real world employment anyway.

    Sorry about getting mildly political there, but my generation and the young kids of my generation will be paying for this mess when those with their little fingers on the button are long gone. When I see opinion at best being somewhat flaunted as fact. I get a little bothered B)

    driver100 said:


    A revolving door would be a good idea. Soon there won't be anyone left.

    Opinions of others only bother me if they disagree with my opinions. B)

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • bwiabwia Member Posts: 2,913
    When I last visited this thread I was on page 2129, now it is page 2143. Wow, it's gonna take a while to catch up. Meanwhile, hope most escaped the ravages of the last two Nor'easters. We are doing fine but 311,000 Mass residents are without power.
  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,121
    edited March 2018
    Unfortunately, it’s the regular people (us) who tarrifs and trade wars hurt. Anything we buy that has steel and/or aluminum in it, is going to cost more.

    Moreover, China wins because those who used to buy from the U.S., will now buy from China.

    Another policy that’s good for the few, and bad for the many!
    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481

    driver100 said:


    ...but why would the presidents financial adviser quit if he thinks that is a smart way to do it. Personally, as a business person, I negotiate with people who want a win/win for both sides, if someone is going to be a bully, I am not interested.....I'd rather find someone I can work with.

    The advisor is of the other party. And their statements sound like friendly parting occurred. More power to them both if it benefits the country (and Canada and Mexico!).

    The other party? That's a stretch, no? He was formerly the president and chief operating officer of Goldman Sachs from 2006 to 2017...you know, the people who brought you that September surprise in 2008?

    These tariffs are just political football. The revenue from steel and aluminum relative to the USA GDP is so minimal it's like a rounding error in the calculations. Jobs protected by tariff are VERY expensive, per job, to the national economy.
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,593
    GG, Sorry to hear about this problem. I hate when these things happen, costs big bucks and you didn't really need the problem in your life...though it is a chance to remodel.

    We had a leak in the Florida place....vanity removed because it soaks up water. Wall board removed. We had a $1000 deductible, so insurance covered the repairs, except for the deductible. Since we upgraded, we were out of pocket a fair bit. Do you really need a Jacuzzi.......we got rid of the one here when we moved it...but, then again, you are single? Maybe you would get more use out of a walk in shower....don't forget a good sound system.

    Good luck. I also hate when furnaces or air conditioners go....big bucks, and nothing to show off for it.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,593

    driver100 said:


    ...but why would the presidents financial adviser quit if he thinks that is a smart way to do it. Personally, as a business person, I negotiate with people who want a win/win for both sides, if someone is going to be a bully, I am not interested.....I'd rather find someone I can work with.

    The advisor is of the other party. And their statements sound like friendly parting occurred. More power to them both if it benefits the country (and Canada and Mexico!).

    The other party? That's a stretch, no? He was formerly the president and chief operating officer of Goldman Sachs from 2006 to 2017...you know, the people who brought you that September surprise in 2008?

    These tariffs are just political football. The revenue from steel and aluminum relative to the USA GDP is so minimal it's like a rounding error in the calculations. Jobs protected by tariff are VERY expensive, per job, to the national economy.
    and, it has never worked!

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,593
    They used to make TVs in the U.S., remember Admiral, RCA, Zenith, Motorola? If people were that loyal they would pay more for those brands, but, the guy on the street wants the best possible TV for the lowest price....so the industry shifted to Asia. We get a better product, for a lot less money, and we can spend our money on other things...better homes, vacations, movie rooms.........

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,356
    GG, based on all that, I really think your best bet it to gut the place. Make sure you get rid of every tainted piece. And in long run, cheaper than trying to match and patch. Plus, you can get a whole new design and better function. Fancy new master baths also help the selling price when it is time to worry about that.

    Make a bigger walk in shower. That is a great thing to have. and integrate grab bars that don't look like add-ons (thinking ahead). I also want a shower without doors. Always a pain. Expensive, and seals get moldy.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    venture said:

    nyccarguy said:



    jmonroe said:

    Just for your info, the Bite part of that doo-dad is not what keeps it from leaking other than to hold it onto the pipe so that it doesn't pop off. The internal o-rings are what prevents it from leaking. jmonroe

    Thanks for posting that. I have a 30 year old hot water tank that I would like to replace. It does not have a water tray under it to catch seeps as any leak starts.

    I wondered about the sharkbite type fittings. I may have a retired plumber who would do the install of a tank I buy or he buys. I also can modify to raise the inlet slightly to better fit the replacement tank and do it myself; that slightly short inlet side is what bothers me...


    Have you thought of going tankless?  Shark Bite Fittings are great.  They don't leak & are great to use in places where it is hard to reach or you don't (or can't) solder properly.
    I like Sharkbite fittings where it's hard to reach or a possible fire hazard too.

    When I was doing some work for my daughter and her husband after they bought another house, there was a line that needed capped. As hard as I tried I could not get the cap soldered. For some odd reason water was seeping through. I even tried the old trick of stuffing bread in the tube first to no avail. When I turned the water on the cap went flying across the basement. :D

    I went and got a Sharkbite cap and ended the frustration.

    Bread in the tube? What are you a plumber or a baker? :o

    Your problem has happened to everyone who ever did remodeling or re-work, don't feel bad. It's how you go about getting the water out of the line that is the trick because you can't sweat a wet line, as you found out. Believe me, I tried that once with no success and I even had the highest point faucets open to let the water drain out. After realizing it would take all day waiting for the line to drain, drop by drop, I decided I had to do something and I was not going to hire a plumber to come in. That much I did know. So, smarty pants @jmonroe what are you going to do now? I'll answer that with how I showed Son #1 what to do when he was finishing his basement in the Summer of 2015 and putting in a bathroom along with moving his laundry area to another part of his basement along with chopping up the floor for drain lines. Don't worry guys, I won't write that novel here, it is waaaay too long for even me. I'll just write about his attempt to sweat in a 3/4 inch tee in a cold water line to accommodate some of his remodeling.

    He has watched me sweat countless fittings over the years so he decided to do this tee on his own before I got there to help him one morning. I walk in and he's totally frustrated. He can't get the tee soldered without it leaking and he's been at it for about an hour. I asked him if he had the faucets on the second floor open to get air in there to allow the water to drain out. That hit a sore spot and he replied, "of course I do. Do you think I'm an idiot? Are you going to ask me any other stupid questions"? I told you he was frustrated. OK, now the fix:

    I told him to go to the second floor and remove the flexible cold water line from one of the shut off valves under one of his vanity sinks. Still frustrated he said, "what is that going to do? I already have the faucet open to get air in there. How much air does it take to drain a line"? I told him since it won't drain fast enough using gravity it has to be blown out. In an even more frustrated voice he said, "so now you want me to drag a compressor up there, really"? :@ I said, "no, just put your mouth over the end of a piece of rubber hose or tubing on that shut off valve port and blow the water out. But there is a little trick about how to do that. He said, "knowing you, I'm sure there is"!! While you go up there and blow on the tube (we just made one from 3/8 inch soft copper with a compression fitting on the end to be attached where the flexible faucet line was removed), I'll hold a rag on the line (you can use a thumb on smaller lines) so that the water will be blown all the way down to the rag under a little bit of pressure otherwise you'll be blowing drops out of the end of that line all day.

    After it worked he wanted to know how I did that on my own. He asked if his mother was my "thumb man". I told him she would have been but she was at the grocery store and he and his brother were too young to help so I just put some tape on the end of the 1/2 inch copper line I was working on. So there is another trick.

    There you have it. You don't have to resort to becoming a baker when doing plumbing work. Keep it all plumbing and use the almost patented @jmonroe trick.

    BTW, I like those LED lights you used. When Son #1 was doing his basement he used a couple of those under the steps where he put in a closet and didn't want to frame out for a full size can light because it would take up too much head room under an already small space. Those things do put out a LOT of light.

    jmonroe

    '15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl

  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,676
    driver100 said:

    They used to make TVs in the U.S., remember Admiral, RCA, Zenith, Motorola? If people were that loyal they would pay more for those brands, but, the guy on the street wants the best possible TV for the lowest price....so the industry shifted to Asia. We get a better product, for a lot less money, and we can spend our money on other things...better homes, vacations, movie rooms.........

    I believe your are mixing up fair competition on a level playing field with dumping. That is where many US markets lost to the Asians. I even recall a shoe maker who was visited unannounced by Japanese folks who wanted to tour the factory. Later they became his compeitition after seeing how the production was done in his factory.

    http://articles.latimes.com/1987-04-28/business/fi-2432_1_tv-sets
    https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-china-wto/wto-largely-backs-china-over-eu-in-shoe-dumping-case-idUSTRE79R65T20111028

    Note the WTO plays a large role in this. Not neutral.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    edited March 2018
    Interesting that both parties claimed victory. That does suggest some modicum of neutrality, or at least compromise.
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,593
    Higher tariffs.....and dumping are two different concepts, but the results are fairly similar. The defending country is trying to protect their base. Unless it is proven you are selling below cost, I believe the result is the same. Artificial barrier to protect the inefficient.

    To bring the topic around to cars....answer this question;
    Would the D3 cars be as good as they are if it wasn't for the imported competition? And, how much would we pay for them?

    Competition = Good No Competition = poor quality and higher prices.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    bwia said:

    When I last visited this thread I was on page 2129, now it is page 2143. Wow, it's gonna take a while to catch up. Meanwhile, hope most escaped the ravages of the last two Nor'easters. We are doing fine but 311,000 Mass residents are without power.

    Don't waste your time on the run of the mill posts from the usual unnamed few who are responsible for the proliferation of pages in here. :'(

    Just read my posts and save yourself some time. Although I do have a fairly lengthy one on page 2132 it is well worth the reading time. And, be sure not to miss my plumbing tips that I don't charge for. Just a service I provide for my poster buddies. :p

    jmonroe

    '15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl

  • ventureventure Member Posts: 3,168

    Thanks for the input on the bathroom.

    I’ve been in my home for 24 years....had it built. So, aside from my son and an ex, I’m the only one who has graced it. Over the years I’ve done a redo of the kitchen, made a home theater, pool room, wet bar in the basement, replaced the original HVAC and the water heater(2X), repaved the driveway, repainted many times, replaced carpet with wood, everything is pretty much updated.......except for the master bath. I could use a new deck, too.

    IMID....two pipes burst......both had CPVC on copper, which I guess was acceptable 25 years ago. Now, not so much. The CPVC is what burst. It wasn’t a pin hole leak, either.

    The master has a Jacuzzi Tub and seperate shower. The plumber had to cut part of the bracing for the tub (which was part of the one piece tub) to get to the leaks. He also had to go through part of the garage ceiling to get to the other leak.

    Have a hole and water damage in the garage ceiling that has to be fixed.

    In the master, I don’t think the jacuzzi is salvageable, given the bracing was cut. It looks like mold is beginning to form between the floor and the shower. Not sure what’s under there. But, figuring the very least, the shower floor has to be removed, mold addressed and replaced. I assume taking the glass shower doors off (heavy) is going to be done.

    Tile around tub and shower has to be replaced as the tub will have to be cut out to get it out of the bathroom. Not sure I can match the floor tile, either.

    Now I’m wondering, if all that needs to be done, the only other things to be replaced are the commode and the dual vanity sinks.

    Part of this will be insurance. If I go to the studs, part of it will come out of my pocket I’m assuming.

    The question is how much comes out of my pocket? And, I’m wondering how much, if any, pushback State Farm will give me?

    My nickels worth...take it down to the studs and start over. There won't be anything to kick yourself over when you didn't do something you wished you had.

    Also, take others advice and heat the floor. I did one bathroom upstairs and, if I ever used the other one, I would probably be kicking myself for not heating that one too. The electric ones are fairly simple and not very expensive.

    2025 Forester Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport

  • ventureventure Member Posts: 3,168
    jmonroe said:

    bwia said:

    When I last visited this thread I was on page 2129, now it is page 2143. Wow, it's gonna take a while to catch up. Meanwhile, hope most escaped the ravages of the last two Nor'easters. We are doing fine but 311,000 Mass residents are without power.

    Don't waste your time on the run of the mill posts from the usual unnamed few who are responsible for the proliferation of pages in here. :'(

    Just read my posts and save yourself some time. Although I do have a fairly lengthy one on page 2132 it is well worth the reading time. And, be sure not to miss my plumbing tips that I don't charge for. Just a service I provide for my poster buddies. :p

    jmonroe
    I'll latch on to this post since it's way shorter.

    The bread trick I learned from a master plumber friend. It only takes a minute and has worked every time for me...except that one time. :'(

    2025 Forester Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport

  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,351
    edited March 2018

    driver100 said:


    ...but why would the presidents financial adviser quit if he thinks that is a smart way to do it. Personally, as a business person, I negotiate with people who want a win/win for both sides, if someone is going to be a bully, I am not interested.....I'd rather find someone I can work with.

    The advisor is of the other party. And their statements sound like friendly parting occurred. More power to them both if it benefits the country (and Canada and Mexico!).

    The other party? That's a stretch, no? He was formerly the president and chief operating officer of Goldman Sachs from 2006 to 2017...you know, the people who brought you that September surprise in 2008?

    These tariffs are just political football. The revenue from steel and aluminum relative to the USA GDP is so minimal it's like a rounding error in the calculations. Jobs protected by tariff are VERY expensive, per job, to the national economy.
    So far all we have is the idea of tariffs, no one knows how they will be crafted or who they will apply to. So why make the worst possible assumptions and scenarios. Want to complain about small possible price increases? Who do you think has to eventually pay for all those hundreds of billions of U.S. trade deficits year after year, China? Heck no, it is current and future U.S. taxpayers.

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    venture said:

    jmonroe said:

    bwia said:

    When I last visited this thread I was on page 2129, now it is page 2143. Wow, it's gonna take a while to catch up. Meanwhile, hope most escaped the ravages of the last two Nor'easters. We are doing fine but 311,000 Mass residents are without power.

    Don't waste your time on the run of the mill posts from the usual unnamed few who are responsible for the proliferation of pages in here. :'(

    Just read my posts and save yourself some time. Although I do have a fairly lengthy one on page 2132 it is well worth the reading time. And, be sure not to miss my plumbing tips that I don't charge for. Just a service I provide for my poster buddies. :p

    jmonroe
    I'll latch on to this post since it's way shorter.

    The bread trick I learned from a master plumber friend. It only takes a minute and has worked every time for me...except that one time. :'(
    My method works ALL the time, just takes a little more work. :o

    jmonroe

    '15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl

  • jmonroejmonroe Member Posts: 8,989
    driver100 said:

    Higher tariffs.....and dumping are two different concepts, but the results are fairly similar. The defending country is trying to protect their base. Unless it is proven you are selling below cost, I believe the result is the same. Artificial barrier to protect the inefficient.

    To bring the topic around to cars....answer this question;
    Would the D3 cars be as good as they are if it wasn't for the imported competition? And, how much would we pay for them?

    Competition = Good No Competition = poor quality and higher prices.

    I think I might have told this story when we hit this subject once before but I'll tell it again.

    In the mid '70, a Japanese customer we dealt with, that bought a gazillion dollars worth of systems from the company I worked for, sent a few of their fast track engineers to work with us for a year or so. Every engineering discipline involved with the systems they bought from us. It was a contract thing. The guy that was assigned to our group was a really nice guy and enjoyed talking cars with the rest of us. One day when he was in my cube we were at it again. He told me about a company in Japan that a very good friend of his from college worked for. This was a company sponsored by the Japanese government to find ways to build better cars. This friend asked him to come in one Saturday to see this mammoth place. He said he was shocked at the size of this place. He said they must have had every model of American cars in there but they were stripped to the bone. Totally dismantled, down to the screws, to see how we made cars and they knew they could do it better but it would take time. I'll never forget what he said to me that day, "@jmonroe, one day Japan will be making the most reliable cars on earth". This was when they were making junk and were dumping that junk here in the USA just to get a foot in the door.
    I didn't say it but I was thinking, 'you're a nice guy who is very sharp but you are drunk if you think Japan can do that'. Whose laughing now?

    Was it unfair for the Japanese government to get into car building? Yes, but they made the world better at least the car building part.

    jmonroe

    '15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,419
    If there's no idea, someone who IMO is categorically unfit for his job shouldn't tweet and yap about them. Why not make the worst possible assumptions, when the people in the lead are the worst possible? We'll see 45 get tough with China when his son of a conman son in law isn't hawking residency and money laundering opportunities there.

    History remains firm - tariffs and trade wars (kind of like trickle down theories) do not benefit actual people in any meaningful way. The cons outweigh the pros. Cons - that word fits this overflowing swamp in more than one way. Amusing that the party who cries about elitists aligns itself with Wall Street types and the inheritance elite. And those complaining about trade deficits should practice what they preach and always buy domestic ;)

    Here are some fun observations of the current situation - idiotically reaching for a trade war which will only have negative impacts for actual consumers, deregulating Wall St, tax breaks with virtually all real benefits for the top few, overhiring in the name of short term demand, tourism declining, overheated housing, continuing expansion of the socio-economic gap - sounds like a recipe for fun. Add those who think they built something themselves gutting the already threadbare social safety net a little more, and it might not end well.
    houdini1 said:



    So far all we have is the idea of tariffs, no one knows how they will be crafted or who they will apply to. So why make the worst possible assumptions and scenarios. Want to complain about small possible price increases? Who do you think has to eventually pay for all those hundreds of billions of U.S. trade deficits year after year, China? Heck no, it is current and future U.S. taxpayers.

  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,287
    venture said:


    The bread trick I learned from a master plumber friend. It only takes a minute and has worked every time for me...except that one time. :'(

    You must have used whole-grain bread that one time. I gather that only white bread should be used.

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    houdini1 said:

    driver100 said:


    ...but why would the presidents financial adviser quit if he thinks that is a smart way to do it. Personally, as a business person, I negotiate with people who want a win/win for both sides, if someone is going to be a bully, I am not interested.....I'd rather find someone I can work with.

    The advisor is of the other party. And their statements sound like friendly parting occurred. More power to them both if it benefits the country (and Canada and Mexico!).

    The other party? That's a stretch, no? He was formerly the president and chief operating officer of Goldman Sachs from 2006 to 2017...you know, the people who brought you that September surprise in 2008?

    These tariffs are just political football. The revenue from steel and aluminum relative to the USA GDP is so minimal it's like a rounding error in the calculations. Jobs protected by tariff are VERY expensive, per job, to the national economy.
    So far all we have is the idea of tariffs, no one knows how they will be crafted or who they will apply to. So why make the worst possible assumptions and scenarios. Want to complain about small possible price increases? Who do you think has to eventually pay for all those hundreds of billions of U.S. trade deficits year after year, China? Heck no, it is current and future U.S. taxpayers.

    I think the proposed tariffs were pretty specific, but you are right, the people proposing them have no idea of the effects.
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,351
    fintail said:

    If there's no idea, someone who IMO is categorically unfit for his job shouldn't tweet and yap about them. Why not make the worst possible assumptions, when the people in the lead are the worst possible? We'll see 45 get tough with China when his son of a conman son in law isn't hawking residency and money laundering opportunities there.

    History remains firm - tariffs and trade wars (kind of like trickle down theories) do not benefit actual people in any meaningful way. The cons outweigh the pros. Cons - that word fits this overflowing swamp in more than one way. Amusing that the party who cries about elitists aligns itself with Wall Street types and the inheritance elite. And those complaining about trade deficits should practice what they preach and always buy domestic ;)

    Here are some fun observations of the current situation - idiotically reaching for a trade war which will only have negative impacts for actual consumers, deregulating Wall St, tax breaks with virtually all real benefits for the top few, overhiring in the name of short term demand, tourism declining, overheated housing, continuing expansion of the socio-economic gap - sounds like a recipe for fun. Add those who think they built something themselves gutting the already threadbare social safety net a little more, and it might not end well.


    houdini1 said:



    So far all we have is the idea of tariffs, no one knows how they will be crafted or who they will apply to. So why make the worst possible assumptions and scenarios. Want to complain about small possible price increases? Who do you think has to eventually pay for all those hundreds of billions of U.S. trade deficits year after year, China? Heck no, it is current and future U.S. taxpayers.

    So tariffs aren't the issue for you, your issue is you just don't like President Trump ?

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,419
    edited March 2018
    Not sure how you came to that, when I have posted against tariffs (trade wars) from the beginning - as nothing in economic history shows them to be viable or productive in any way. There's zero behind them, which kind of makes it perfect for this credibility-free regime.

    But yes, I don't care for Agent Orange either. It's not just him, either.

    Nice attempt at putting it back on me, though ;)
    houdini1 said:


    So tariffs aren't the issue for you, your issue is you just don't like President Trump ?

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,593
    houdini1 said:

    driver100 said:


    ...but why would the presidents financial adviser quit if he thinks that is a smart way to do it. Personally, as a business person, I negotiate with people who want a win/win for both sides, if someone is going to be a bully, I am not interested.....I'd rather find someone I can work with.

    The advisor is of the other party. And their statements sound like friendly parting occurred. More power to them both if it benefits the country (and Canada and Mexico!).

    The other party? That's a stretch, no? He was formerly the president and chief operating officer of Goldman Sachs from 2006 to 2017...you know, the people who brought you that September surprise in 2008?

    These tariffs are just political football. The revenue from steel and aluminum relative to the USA GDP is so minimal it's like a rounding error in the calculations. Jobs protected by tariff are VERY expensive, per job, to the national economy.
    So far all we have is the idea of tariffs, no one knows how they will be crafted or who they will apply to. So why make the worst possible assumptions and scenarios. Want to complain about small possible price increases? Who do you think has to eventually pay for all those hundreds of billions of U.S. trade deficits year after year, China? Heck no, it is current and future U.S. taxpayers.

    Commenting because the idea for tariffs came out suddenly without much study, or discussion with top economic adviser. It could be fake news, but I just read estimates of 5 jobs will be lost for every one created.

    And what do you tell the people in Florida who export strawberries to Canada for example. If their strawberries are taxed out of the market, and Chile and Mexico moves in, how will they recoup their investments and find work. Do you think tariffs only affect one industry, and the other countries won't retaliate?

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,593
    jmonroe said:

    venture said:

    jmonroe said:

    bwia said:

    When I last visited this thread I was on page 2129, now it is page 2143. Wow, it's gonna take a while to catch up. Meanwhile, hope most escaped the ravages of the last two Nor'easters. We are doing fine but 311,000 Mass residents are without power.

    Don't waste your time on the run of the mill posts from the usual unnamed few who are responsible for the proliferation of pages in here. :'(

    Just read my posts and save yourself some time. Although I do have a fairly lengthy one on page 2132 it is well worth the reading time. And, be sure not to miss my plumbing tips that I don't charge for. Just a service I provide for my poster buddies. :p

    jmonroe
    I'll latch on to this post since it's way shorter.

    The bread trick I learned from a master plumber friend. It only takes a minute and has worked every time for me...except that one time. :'(
    My method works ALL the time, just takes a little more work. :o

    jmonroe
    Maybe you need a certain type of bread....does rye work better than multi-grain? How about Wonder Bread, that should gum it up pretty good?

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • cdnpinheadcdnpinhead Member Posts: 5,618
    edited March 2018
    houdini1 said:

    So why make the worst possible assumptions and scenarios.

    Because it advances the narrative. Looking at things objectively is absolutely verboten.

    That said, the 40K and 20K posters will weigh in, I'm guessing.

    '08 Acura TSX, '17 Subaru Forester
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,676
    edited March 2018
    I heard a congressman today interviewed and he gave the example of a business that made somethiing such as brake rotors out of China steel he had to buy and then he was charged a 30% tariff (tax, penalty) on the product to be allowed to sell it in China. Of course it "couldn't compete."

    Doesn't Japan have a 50% tariff (tax or penalty) on US autos sold into their country? Or maybe that was China...

    Of course, not many are sold because few want them--which really means at the high after tariff (tax or penalty) price, they can't compete.

    Reminds me of a quick market chain tied to a gasoline company brand here in Midwest. I'd stop at their stores when traveling and look for 12-packs of caffeine free diet coke or pepsi to buy. They didn't have any at many of the busier stores. They would tell me "We don't sell much." To which I'd respond, Economics 101, since you don't stock any, you're not going to sell much so your sample point is meaningless. I'd then tell them I owned a few shares in the parent company and I'd call the headquarters for the subsidiary which runs the quick store part of the gas station since I lived about 20 miles away from it. And I did call.

    So more US made cars and products could sell were the competition field level.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

This discussion has been closed.