It's Not All Bad News-Some Businesses Prosper in Tough Times

Take The Dental Trader for example. Annual sales are up 8% over last year in 2009 and 2008 was up 6%. The reason? Dentists are shopping more frequently and purchasing in smaller amounts. Fewer doctors have the cash flow to support buying 3, 6 or 12 months worth of gloves at a time, now they buy the disposables they need to get through a month or so. They are also bargain shopping like never before. Because The Dental Trader is the place California dentists advertise and find bargains, this small business is booming. The downside? The company needs to expand their phone system because callers often get a busy signal. Among the offerings placed by dentists in The Dental Trader are ads inviting dentists to "Take over payments" on their new laser. The doctor just wants out of the loan and willing to lose 25% of his capital investment. Others are selling equipment with the price "Make me an offer!" Such ads are driving strong readership of the PennySaver-like dental ad periodical. While this simple B&W publication is clearly "trench warfare marketing" it is proof that in every economy there are opportunities. The owner says that his best years have always been during periods of economic downturn. Their website is www.dentaltrader.com