Durable goods sales beat expectations

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The government reported Friday that sales of big ticket items like appliances and electronics were down last month. But the numbers weren't down nearly as much as economists had expected.

Durable goods are big ticket items like washers and dryers that generally last three years or more and require thought and money to purchase. The government said orders for durable goods dropped about .8 percent in March. But because the drop was small, after a February gain, it's considered a positive economic development.

"In a so called 'depressed' market, we're doing quite well. And our numbers are up and we're seeing a lot of positive things coming in," said Lowe's appliance specialist, Ron Beam.

The news is positive, but not exactly clear signs of a recovery.

Shopper Todd Schmitt said, "I think it's coming back a little bit. But I think mainly we're spending tax return money."

William O'Donnell is the director of graduate programs at the Butler University College of Business. He said improvement in durable goods sales is just what the economy needs.

"If people are starting to consider buying those big ticket items again, or if the decline in the sales isn't as bad as you might expect, it could be another sign that we're starting to look better," said O'Donnell.

But O'Donnell said we're not better yet. That won't happen he said until people buy enough washers and dryers for manufacturers to start hiring again.