Financial turmoil - the snagged cardigan starts to unravel??

[prestonchipfryer]

I've come to the opinion Tesco don't have a clue.

At my local Tesco Metro (it's where I fill my vehicles) they have installed a sort of island with the notice on it reading: ''This customer service point has been put here for the benefit of our customers.'' And with the usual blurb ''Every Little helps'' on it as well. Yesterday morning at around 8 o'clock I was waiting in the queue there behind ten other customers, with only one person actually serving at the till. There was a Tesco employee on said podium so I said to her: ''Why don't you help out on the tills?'' Her reply was: I am a customer service assistant and I don't have the authority to be on the tills.'' ''Every Little Helps'' what a load of bollocks!

[Macca]

At my local Tesco Metro (it's where I fill my vehicles) they have installed a sort of island with the notice on it reading: ''This customer service point has been put here for the benefit of our customers.'' And with the usual blurb ''Every Little helps'' on it as well. Yesterday morning at around 8 o'clock I was waiting in the queue there behind ten other customers, with only one person actually serving at the till. There was a Tesco employee on said podium so I said to her: ''Why don't you help out on the tills?'' Her reply was: I am a customer service assistant and I don't have the authority to be on the tills.'' ''Every Little Helps'' what a load of bollocks!

That's big companies in a nutshell. They assume that every employee below management grade is a cretin so they create procedures for everything and set them in stone. As a consequence common sense and flexibility go out the window. My limited experience of retail was that by and large the management were far more cretinous than the staff.

[walpurgis]

My impression of Tesco in the last few years is not good. Prices are high and product quality has declined. Till service is not great (although LIDL is the worst), stores often have a scruffy look, with unswept floors and I've been finding quite a few food items well past 'sell by' dates (often in the frozen section). On the present showing they'll just keep losing customers. I only go there now if I have to.

[struth]

I have to admit I shop mostly at said Tesco. Mainly as I live on their finest ready meal selection. My ones just been refurbed so is in good nick. Staff are ok certainly no worse than others. I do go to asda and Morrison's too. Also aldi and lidl. Well stocked with supermarkets within a couple of miles. Tesco also give me 20p a litre off my petrol.

[Wakefield Turntables]

Just to get the thread slightly back on topic. I think we have had a correction of sorts to the market. Buying at these levels in good quality companies makes sense. I have a simple investing rule. I invest in addictions and necessities. I dont buy AIM or high risk, I avoid small cap mineral resource companies and IT next big things. I think the market will probably have a mini recovery. I'm not selling just yet and I intend to keep an eye on my investments till January then I think I'll probably top slice a few things.... I dont like the increase in IPO's and mega mergers, too much optimism for my liking. I think the shit will hit the fan in the next 6 to 12 months and I'll be there to pick up the bargains with the funds I top sliced.

[Oldpinkman]

I think my intention with this post was to state my opinion that this is not a "correction". That is the prevailing market view, but that is always the view - wishful thinking that any downward movement in stock values is minor and temporary. The signs are this could be far more significant - and accordingly present even better value buying opportunities - eventually. But not right now. Not for me.

Maybe this is just another blip. Maybe empty promises from Central banks can shore up confidence a bit longer. But sometime before the end of 2018, and quite possibly over the next 6 months, I expect stock values to fall significantly - like by 50% or more. Maybe the can will be successfully kicked down the road for another year or 2. But at some point it all needs to unravel.

Can't fault the principle of selling at the top, and buying at the bottom. Trouble is, both the Top, and the Bottom tend to be easier to see with hindsight, after the event. The clever bit, is to be able to see it in advance. And I for one, am usually lousy at short term predictions - so I play a longer game.

[Wakefield Turntables]

I try to buy on dips. I dont claim to being able to see into the future. I ultimately hold shares for decades to hopefully overcome meltdowns.