You guys are spot on. BIG companies, Global companies can move sideways or up n down to keep the ball rolling, but the small guy in most cases is not surving unless they re-invent themselves and their business practices to the degree of being extremely innovative and lucky at the same time.

BOSCH, my supply company moved its technology base from Germany/Japan to China 18 months ago. The product is better, and has been redesigned to what i feel is a better standard, and the Chineese have come up with some great new ideas for our most purchased products. (Is anything now made outside of China ?) BOSCH stuff was always bulletproof anyway, but now its extra better because the Chineese are the best cost cutters and designers on the planet to squeeze every profitable cent out of every product.

RE PRICES BEING PUT UP OR DOWN BEING A BAD IDEA in this bad economy ETC, most Industries just dont have the answers because the costs have risen so dramatically, that there realistically are no answers because of the massive unprecedented extra costs the government has indirectly or directly dumped on Industry. I know of only a very select few industrys that are doing well, but it is very rare. I have never moved/relocated or retrieved so much security product in the last fifteen years that I have in the last 12 months.
People are hurting accross most of Australia. If Julia Gillard stays in, it can only get worse because no-one has any confidence, and no confidence chokes an economy to a snails pace.
Pinball prices for parts in some instances are dearer, but still great compared to say 3 yrs ago. We shld be ok, its only small dollar value items most of us use anyway.