Comments (13)

• Manuel Lora

  I believe this calls for a legitimate relocation of stolen goods from FEMA back to the owners.

  Published: May 22, 2006 1:13 PM

• spencer

  It has been six months since Katrina.

  When did Fema supposedly buy up the entire
  supply of spare parts?

  If Fema did this several months ago this means you are claiming that the private market was unable to refill the pipeline.

  If what you are describing is true then it looks like a complete failure of the market to respond to an increase in demand.

  Is that what you are claiming?

  Show me one bit of evidence that the government
  prevented the private sector from refilling the
  pipeline.

  Can I be your broker? Your judgement on believing stuff like this tells me I could
  get away with charging you all kinds of fees
  and churn your account like crazy.
  

  Published: May 22, 2006 2:20 PM

• jeffrey

  Just talked to a 2nd dealer who confirmed that FEMA is still buying. The problem is not complete non-availability but a shortage. And what do you bet the government buys at a pretty high price?

  Published: May 22, 2006 2:24 PM

• Ryan Fuller

  What if the model in question is out of production? It wouldn't make sense to start manufacturing new parts for an old model since the number of people who need it might not be enough to justify it. There is even more risk involved because the parts already exist in a government warehouse. What if they decide to start selling (or giving away) the parts in the future? The risk of random government action prevents the market from responding the way that it would without that additional risk.

  Spencer, your total lack of understanding regarding the nature of risk, specifically government created risk, leads me to believe that only an idiot would hire you to be their broker in the first place. I'd use a dartboard to pick my investments first.

  Published: May 22, 2006 2:28 PM

• David K.Meller

  Isn't it wonderful to see our Federal Government on the job, solving problems, and spending (your) money? I suppose that people should consider themselves lucky that FEMA didn't impound all available air conditioners, as well as their spare parts, when confronted with the Katrina mess!

  While they were running roughshod over property rights, they might have also seized all books written by Rothbard, Kirzner, Hayek, and von Mises that they could find in their area of jurisdiction, probably in the name of forstalling future hurricane damage. Impounding libertarian books has nothing at all to do with flood prevention, but I wouldn't envy anyone the task of explaining this to FEMA, especially since none of them could read anyhow!

  FEMA and the Federal government can never manage their own affairs in normal times, much less everybody else's in an emergency. This unhappy incident certainly shows that this hopeless waste of taxpayers' money should be defunded and abolished as soon as possible.

  I certainly hope that you can solve your air conditioning problems--with NO help from FEMA and the other Government simpletons. Keep cool!

  PEACE AND FREEDOM!!
  David K. Meller

  Published: May 22, 2006 3:13 PM

• spencer

  Fuller -- you are right, only an idot would hire me for a broker, that is why I asked if you guys wanted to hire me. You are obviously highly qualified.

  Published: May 22, 2006 4:14 PM

• Geoffrey Allan Plauche

  I doubt "spencer" has any clue how the production and market for these types of air conditioners work. He sounds to me like a troll, or just someone who is anti-free market and taking an opportunity to bash us.

  I hope the AC is fixed by the time I arrive on the 30th to start my fellowship!

  Published: May 22, 2006 5:33 PM

• Chad

  Well, you'll be glad to know that your tax dollars kept our air conditioners working just fine up here for us goverment employees. Yep, just fine. *whistles oblivious, brain-dead happy little tune*

  Published: May 22, 2006 5:43 PM

• Ryan Fuller

  Spencer: "Fuller -- you are right, only an idot would hire me for a broker, that is why I asked if you guys wanted to hire me."

  Note that you were rejected. Now piss off, troll.

  Published: May 22, 2006 11:40 PM

• rhu

  Hi Jeffrey,
  Have you already tried to contact directly the parts' manufacturer, instead of the service company?
  In an unimpaired market, there should be alternative sources available to meet all consumer's needs, shouldn't it?
  Or maybe, the parts' mfrs are also taking advantage of the market restrictions caused by gvt intervention?
  Anybody there to help me understand the situation?

  Thanks & regards from Rio/Brazil.

  Published: May 23, 2006 9:15 AM

• jeffrey

  We found a company that had stockpiled parts--$300,000 worth!--before FEMA entered the market, and now, based on this smart thinking, does service calls to regular people who need help--and is able to charge a very nice premium for doing so. That's entrepreneurship in a world of government intervention. In any case, they popped in the new part and now we sit in cool fresh air.

  Published: May 23, 2006 9:50 AM

• Ron Brown

  From rhu: "Or maybe, the parts mfrs are also taking advantage of the market restrictions caused by gvt intervention."

  In a reasonably competitive market, even with some government intervention, how does someone make money by intentionally delaying sales??

  Published: May 23, 2006 9:55 AM

• Yancey Ward

  Jeffrey,

  I don't know, but that sounds like price "gouging" to me. You need to contact the FTC immediately!:~)

  Published: May 23, 2006 1:30 PM