Pocono News Section

Economic Troubles Impact Trading Post Business

Economic Troubles Impact Trading Post Business - Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 4:00PM EST

Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008 @04:00pm EST
EAST STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY- Christopher Wagner picked a perfect spot to build a Trading Post - right next store to a gas station in East Stroudsburg. So when you realize you can't afford to fill up, you can go in his business and sell something for cash.

Raymond Vazquez picked up $65 for an old gold chain. He used that to fill up his car. He said, "Gas prices are going up. I commute back and forth from Scranton for work so it's just very expensive right now."

Vazquez said he started cleaning out his house and selling his old stuff about two months ago. Hes not alone. Wagner said his customers are traditionally people who live paycheck to paycheck but that has started to change. He explained ," I'm seeing a lot more of people that might be in a $300,000 house selling things to make ends meet."

He's not only seeing more people sell their things, he's also seeing more customers in his check cashing corner. "A lot of people just can't wait the three to ten days for their check to clear. They need to write their bills out now," Wagner explained.

Plus a lot of people can't afford to buy new things so Chris has more discount shoppers as well. He said, "Instead of buying a $300 brand new TV, they'll come in here and get the same TV for a hundred bucks."

Then customers have a little extra cash to visit those gas pumps next door.

That store owner said he's also seen a lot more construction workers selling tools because less people are building and renovating homes.