Like former President Truman, we all want straight answers.

I'm crawlin' out on that proverbial limb to say this: We've turned the corner.

We are taking baby steps away from the tough times. The recovery period always takes time.

Unless a major retailer has a catastrophe, we should be the better for our experience. The three largest expense areas are curtailed. Everyone (surviving) has less inventory, less personnel and less advertising outlay.

There is a range. Some dealers are stronger. They built systems and learned to execute in tough situations. Some dealers are not so strong. Those are the ones still choking on old inventory and expense ratios they didn't control.

My evidence comes from conversations with dealers. Many report they are having better than expected sales. I will say it again. Barring another catastrophic financial failure in a large retailer, we seem to be headed out of the woods.

You will know the Dow. Next you will see sales pick up. Pockets at first. My hope is you have enough service capacity and the techs haven't forgotten how to hustle. Finally, after the down time is over, jobs will pick up. Employment is a trailing indicator. Won't see it until after we are well on our way.

Be prepared. Look at capacity to deliver units.