Ask Mr Market

[diogenes]

Ok 2 Questions for Mr. Market:

1. Have you developed any other trading models?
2. Why is the Armenian lobby so powerful?

[mrmarket]

Ok 2 Questions for Mr. Market:

1. Have you developed any other trading models?
2. Why is the Armenian lobby so powerful?

1. Yes..there are a few others I play with.
2. I'm not sure I agree with you.

[skiracer]

Ok 2 Questions for Mr. Market:

1. Have you developed any other trading models?
2. Why is the Armenian lobby so powerful?

I am acting as construction manager for a pretty large project (probably around $35-38 million) when it gets sold out. The group consists of a lawyer, an accountant, and an Italian restauranter from Brooklyn. The lawyer and accountant are very very sharp an are as astute an very frugal about every facet of the project as anyone I have ever encountered. I can't say the same for the Italian. His strength is his access to money whatever that is and wherever it comes from. Somewhat of a strange partnership but it seem to work well. The Armenians don't do anything in excess, are very very controlled an unemotional, live to do business, an are very devoted and family orientated. They very seldom curse and never use any strong off color language such as the f or mf words which I use quite frequently in my daily conversation. I've even curtailed my use of this type of language because of them. Anyway their main business is buying distressed paper such as forclosure money, bad debt, an anything else gone bad, for .20 to .30 cents or less on the dollar and then going after it in the collection process. They are very agressive and completely relentless in going after this bad debt and where others fail they usually collect their money. I have become good friends with the accountant partner and most of my daily interaction is with him. He's in his 60's and a couple of years older than me. I must say that I can't remember when I've had as straight forward, frank, an as honest a relationship. They can live and deal with problems, mistakes, things that go wrong etc. as long as there is honesty. Mike, the accountant, always says hurt my feelings but tell me the truth. They never use their own money or credit an everything is done thru bank money which means that all the subtrades complete specific phases of their contracted work first before they will submit for a draw down from their bank line of credit. They never take any bank money, which they have to pay interest on, unless the work is done and they only take what they absolutely need in order to keep the interest costs down and to a minimum. They never pay anything before 30 or 60 days to stretch it to the limit on what they have to take from the bank an pay interest on but they would never contemplate not paying or beating anyone. It's just not in their mentallity. They're brutal to deal with because they expect 110% of your energies and nothing less. They'll call you at midnight to ask a question and think nothing of getting you out of bed to do so if it's business an it's never a problem if you did the same with them regarding business. They cannot tolerate ineptitude or dishonesty to any degree but appreciate that anyone can make a mistake at some time. Just don't make to many of them. Mike showed me a picture of his parents from the old country. You could see that they were really very very dirt poor farmer peasants from Armenia but very hardy stock. You could see that they had no time for bullshit in just trying to exist and stay alive. Their offspring brought those attributes with them when they came here and have held unwaveringly to those values. They will deal with any ethnicticity but socialize only occassionally outside of their own and family. They are as goal orientated as anyone I know and singled minded in their drive to accompolish those goals. You question about the strength of the Armenian lobby prompted these thoughts. I didn't even know there was one but I can tell you that if there is one they will be driven. It seems to be in their nature to work relentlessly to attain whatever it is that they are after.

[IIC]

1. Yes..there are a few others I play with.
2. I'm not sure I agree with you.

OK...so what are the other trading models?

[diogenes]

I am acting as construction manager for a pretty large project (probably around $35-38 million) when it gets sold out...(snip)..You(r) question about the strength of the Armenian lobby prompted these thoughts. I didn't even know there was one but I can tell you that if there is one they will be driven. It seems to be in their nature to work relentlessly to attain whatever it is that they are after.

Neat story, ski.

[diogenes]

OK...so what are the other trading models?

Yes, what are the other trading models?

[peanuts]

Is this a new picture?

Ernie, I don't remember this picture... is it new, or am I just forgetful?

[Rob]

Ernie, I don't remember this picture... is it new, or am I just forgetful?

Hey, Legume Dude. That is not a new picture. I've been seeing it for years.