sorry to hear, thank you for your honesty. Covid and the inflation that followed was a double whammy. People lack the money in general to pay for what it really takes to make a quality product, and all the hard working baby boomers retired out. It has been discussed many times. Stats today came out that one political party in particular now believes with a majority that everything should rely on socialism and it would solve these issues. The 1% will just move their assets somewhere else, and people who aren't willing to work hard won't have much to share. We met two couples from Denmark a few years ago while camping. Had some interesting discussions. Simply put, when a society is really hard working and frugal, there is a lot to go around so sharing it works. When people refuse to work because it is no fun and they believe they have earned more, there is little to share. These couples both told us that Denmark brought in so many immigrants who wanted to participate in receiving but not working, that socialism in their country was showing signs of failing. In the USA, with the 1% taking their huge cut, and those who won't work wanting their share, the middle is really going to get squeezed. Toro is one of those companies being squeezed. If they raise their prices their product is unaffordable for many. But if they continue to let the quality fall - and the hire people who can't or won't do the jobs they were hired for - well that won't work either. I am not at all happy with the Toro products we have purchased in the last five years. They are expensive and are wearing out too fast. At the same time, a 21" mulching rear wheel drive mower from 2006 just keeps going strong.
