Don't be so sensitive

[Marc Marino]

Sometimes it is my fault and sometimes not...but heck I posted a reply that said that it seems that prices of rental property should show a decrease since people's pays have taken a hit as far as raises go and the economy in general is in sad shape.....if you don't agree I understand but please don't take this personally;)

[Abaco_Doug]

Well I wish the rates could drop but with the increase in property taxes and the costs of maintaining a property it can be difficult to drop the rates with costs that continue to climb. I would agree that people shouldn't take it personally but also it needs to understood how costly it is to keep these homes in order for renters to want to spend time in them. Let's just pray that the world economy gets turned back around soon for everyone's sake.

Abaco_Doug

[BahamaAngie]

I think it appears to be common sense. Better to rent something then not at all. Even with the boat rentals and golf carts, I have noticed they will not negotiate but will let them sit there. Seems like unusual business tactics to me. But that is what makes the world go around. I would rather get something then nothing but there must be a reason behind it. Oh well. I do agree with you. Plus the way the media is going it seems that 2009/2010 rentals might take a serious hit!

[islandgator]

There seems to be a mindset in Abaco that Abaco is insulated from the world economy. I stayed on Elbow in midOctober for two weeks. I kept my rental boat at a marina on Elbow and was the only boat there at nite and sometimes during the day. I was charged $793.00!

WE are all affected by the downturn. I agree that there needs to be some sensitivity to that or some may decide to vacation less or someplace else. The BCC tournament had 50% less boats this year. Granted that high gas prices hurt them , but that is a huge reduction.

All of us love Abaco, but its getting to be an expensive date.

[patw]

Its expensive for us too! We pay the same for gas, as you all do when you are here. We pay the same for groceries, as you all do when you are here. We have mortgages, power bills, phone bills, insurance, etc. Believe me, we know what the economy is doing world wide. Tourism is down, home rentals are down. There are second homeowners here on Guana but not many tourists. Docksiders is closed, not sure when it will re-open. Orchid Bay restaurant is closed until at least March. People have been layed off at Orchid Bay because it is so slow. I noticed on Sunday that the Nippers dock had a couple boats tied up but it was mostly dinghy's from the sailboats that were on moorings in the harbour and in Fishers Bay. I have seen only two houses under construction on Guana. My step son on MOW told us that it is slow there too. Not sure about GTC or Elbow. Marsh Harbour is dead. We are all hoping that we will see an increase of tourist in March but it doesn't look good.

[raptor]

We spent 2 weeks at Xmas and New Years and after 20 years of visiting Abaco at least once a winter and spending one at MOW, we found that this year we spent $$$$ like never before and left a bit unhappy. We also had two experiences at to be a un-named restaurant which really soured us in a major way. We also had a theft from our house right in Town.

At the same time, we had our usual good times at Jack's the Edge, the Lodge, Sea Spray, Cracker P's, Nippers, Munchies. The 2 week boat rental (Blue Wave) went well. Our local friends let us know the second that fuel prices dropped at Sea Spray. A lot of locals also talked about the way prices are impacting their lives. "We pay it too!"

After all these years of planning to spend winters in Abaco, and it would be coming soon, we are re-assessing. First step has been cancelling our annual February visit to Hopetown and making a road trip to the Florida Keys to check out the scene at five different Keys.

Bummer!!!!

[Patti Puzo]

It is a GLOBAL recession. It is effecting everyone. When it effects everyone, the results are cyclical. I, as well as everyone else, can't wait for good news, and some critical action. It's pretty scary out there.

[BahamaAngie]

I tried to get a deal for a 3week golf cart rental.....no go! Don't understand that kind of thinking.

[gazeboman]

For the past 8 years we have made a spring trip to the abacos. This year we are not. Reason? Our other favorite destination is giving deep discounts. We have chosen not to go to abaco because our other destination will cost about 40% less than it did a year ago. The smaller destinations will be slow to realize that they must lower prices to keep a cash flow. There are some items/services where the vendor may feel they have a monopoly (golf carts?) so they will not bend at all. I believe they are hurting themselves and the rest of the people in thier area (island) that depend on tourist $ Angie- I don't know where you are staying but if you can't get any cooperation on a multiple week rental, maybe there is another island that will? My point is that businesses that will not bend in this economy WILL BREAK. If they don't "break' They certainly will be hurt and will take others down with them. I certainly hope abaco bends a little so it doesn't break cause I really love the place. But if it chooses to take the hard line I am sure there are other places I will love as much-I wonder how many others will reason the same way?

[BahamaAngie]

I agree with you Gazeboman. Tough times.

[SamFamAustin]

I know the feeling, like why doesn't somebody like the government sponsor a bunch of cheap air fare and lodging or something?

Maybe the government is running out of moolah too. All I know is that we on South Padre (TX) are off 38 percent on hotel occupancy tax money from this time last year. That's a bunch.

Interestingly, sales taxes are slightly up, which is probably because folks are remodeling their homes and rental units because nothing is moving. [A few big-time purchases can skew sales tax receipts, too.] Ah yes, and hurricanes happen and anything near the coast will fry, rust, corrode, leak, fade, powderize, or fall apart in just a few years!

Several months ago I predicted a slight upturn in the economy this summer, although it was wishful thinking. The hard part is getting the consumer confidence back ... the money will follow. I still have those wishful hopes.
sammie

[BahamaAngie]

I hope you are right Sammie!

[Long Look]

It is interesting to hear the complaints about prices. My view is that if your going to rent less, you might as well make as much money on it as possible.
While supply and demand will eventually work prices down, the effect is one that is lagging.
The costs to home owners is huge as has been mentioned above. Everyone I have talked to has had taxes at least double, triple, or even quadruple this year. Unimproved lots are being taxed at a higher rate than improved lots which doesnt make much sense to me (not that you rent an unimproved lot).
As for boat rentals they are also trying to cover the fixed costs, they see that they will probably not rent as many boats this year so why would they rent them any cheaper.

I go to Abaco because it is Abaco, anywhere else is just vacation.

[trubahamian]

We are about 18months behind ya'll in the States here wen it comes to this bad economy.Also there is a huge sense of denial here among many that this ting will just soon pass,but that isn't the way it is.Prices will and are coming down.....Abaco Inn reduced all their villa rates,Seaspray has dropped their dockage rates,I heard some of the Realty Rental co's are considering dropping house rates as well. It is taking a lot longer than it should have and consequently we can pretty much forget this season.I hope all is in place to entice our summer guests?

[gazeboman]

Well Tru, that is encouraging news, hope the majority of of the businesses do the same.

[Blue Moon]

bahama Angie please PM me or e mail me RE YOUR NEED for long term golf carts. I have a lead for you. shae