When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
So is it a coincidence that we are followers of a superior product produced by a society that respects its workers, and while providing a living wage, doesn't require them to be indentured to a 40+ hour work week and also provides other benefits we can only dream about (and ridicule) while providing reasonably priced health care. How dare they.
So is it a coincidence that we are followers of a superior product produced by a society that respects its workers, and while providing a living wage, doesn't require them to be indentured to a 40+ hour work week and also provides other benefits we can only dream about (and ridicule) while providing reasonably priced health care. How dare they.
So is it a coincidence that we are followers of a superior product produced by a society that respects its workers, and while providing a living wage, doesn't require them to be indentured to a 40+ hour work week and also provides other benefits we can only dream about (and ridicule) while providing reasonably priced health care. How dare they.
These are the times when you treasure our 928-centric parts purveyors. At a time when it's too easy to maintain a virtual store front, most vendors will order pieces for you rather than stock and ship them. No factory support means those guys are out of business until the strike is over. Our favorite folks here can keep going for a while on the stock they maintain, plus their sources that aren't the Porsche factory.
Meanwhile... The company is still feeling the hurt from the dieselgate episode; adding in the losses that come with any extended work stoppage makes financial recovery that much longer. Remember when Porsche was overleveraging to gain control of Volkswagen? I guess that Porsche still shares some of the pain from dieselgate, but not nearly to the extent that their new godparents have.
Perfect example today. I'd called Roger yesterday and told him what I needed and he said that most of the bits were in Germany and with this strike, no telling when he could have them. Then he checked his closet and found me exactly what I needed, and delivered them this morning.
So is it a coincidence that we are followers of a superior product produced by a society that respects its workers, and while providing a living wage, doesn't require them to be indentured to a 40+ hour work week and also provides other benefits we can only dream about (and ridicule) while providing reasonably priced health care. How dare they.
So is it a coincidence that we are followers of a superior product produced by a society that respects its workers, and while providing a living wage, doesn't require them to be indentured to a 40+ hour work week and also provides other benefits we can only dream about (and ridicule) while providing reasonably priced health care. How dare they.
Don't forget that a country's economics of a country of 82 million is not the same as a country of 325 million. You are welcome to move there and pay the much higher taxes (0-45% as well as a 5.5% tax added on top of your total bill for solidarity.) I'll stay here thanks.
... pay the much higher taxes (0-45% as well as a 5.5% tax added on top of your total bill for solidarity.) I'll stay here thanks.
Income tax is just one of many taxes that affect people. Some taxes are higher in Germany, while others are significantly lower.
So, while the top income taxes are bordering on insanity, and everything you buy includes a Value Added Tax of 19% (lowest in Europe), you pay no taxes on used items, and property taxes are negligible.
For example, a 2000sqft house with a little land around it will cost about $500/year in taxes. Try that in California or Texas - haha! Germans never get priced out of their properties when they retire, but it's not uncommon here in the US. That's sad.
Having said that... I find it both ironic and fascinating that some people worship products designed and manufactured in another country that ensures training, working conditions and benefits our domestic workers could only dream of. This is done through a combination of laws and agreements between industry associations and trade unions.
Obviously, Porsche owners are willing to pay for the extra cost of imported products made under such conditions.
Yet, a significant number of them would never support making domestic products under the same conditions. Then they turn around and put their "Make America Great Again" hats on, which are Made in China, and complain about the lack of qualification among the people that work for them.
There IS a reason why Germany is an economic power house, and it's not just culture. To understand it, you have to look deeper, and be willing to admit that things are not always black and white.
Average is now 35 hours per week with 28 days of holiday pay or basically a month off !
I used to have 29 paid vacation days in Germany. That was a lot, but it helped focus on work while I was working, because I knew that I had vacation for other things.
When I came to the US, I got 10 days off/year. That was ridiculous; felt like being a slave. It was difficult to take care of all personal business and get a break to recharge. In my opinion, this destroys quality and loyalty, as people will burn out and leave eventually.
Now I have 20 days, plus I can work from wherever I want. This is a good compromise, and allows me to be productive, take care of my personal business, and recharge. Plus, we get a paid 6-week sabbatical after 7 years, and every 4 years thereafter.
Oh - just in case someone doubts it: I support the US economy. In fact, I have owned more American than German cars in my life (sorry for the mess in the garage; contractors working inside the house):
Yea, I apologize, I went deep into politics and OT, and I bitch when others go OT. I have no defense. On a less political but "freedom" vein, there are those who choose to work 60 hour weeks, because they want to,i.e., enjoy the work. And there are those who have to.
Thank you Nicole for a unique bi-focal perspective with more facts. Your garage is such a mess! That is sarcasm.
02-03-2018, 09:55 AM
