What happebed to inflation?

[Duff Miver]

I've lived in the same house for a very long time.

Seventeen years ago, I had the natual gas/AC unit replaced, shopped around for the best price which was $4400 all inclusive.

Last week the heat exchanger in that unit cracked, so I contacted the same guy who'd done the last one. A new unit now, same manufacturer, same capacity, 20% more efficient and better made with a much better warranty and stainless steel hx is $4300.

According to this inflation calculator, it should be $6700.

WTF?

 

[ImFeklhr]

I've lived in the same house for a very long time.

Seventeen years ago, I had the natual gas/AC unit replaced, shopped around for the best price which was $4400 all inclusive.

Last week the heat exchanger in that unit cracked, so I contacted the same guy who'd done the last one. A new unit now, same manufacturer, same capacity, 20% more efficient and better made with a much better warranty and stainless steel hx is $4300.

According to this inflation calculator, it should be $6700.

WTF?

17 years ago, some people involved in selling or producing those units probably made middle class incomes, or parts might have been made in America. Now it is probably made in China.

The one saving grace about the Economy we now live in I guess. :shrug:

 

[ssd]

Computers used to fill entire rooms and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and now cell phones do more than those ever could.

Really not that strange.

 

[ImFeklhr]

Computers used to fill entire rooms and cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and now cell phones do more than those ever could.

Really not that strange.

That too. We are rather efficient nowadays

 

[Trench]

Sure, technology and cheap third-world labor have made flatscreens and smartphones affordable, but inflation continues to erode the middle-class living standard when it comes to the necessities of life... food, housing, healthcare, education, energy, etc.

 

[Chadman]

I guess I'd have to credit Obama for this. :SIB