Sign of Hard Times

I was talking with my buyer the other day, who is about ready to close on a property.  The property which he is purchasing is a foreclosed property, now lender owned.  He ordered new applicances to take the place of the appliances which were missing (you know how lender owned properties can be).  The company from which he ordered these appliances sent someone out for measurements to make sure they would be installed properly.  Upon talking with the people there to measure, he was told that the appliance dealer declared bankruptcy and closed it's doors that very morning and that they would like him to pay them directly, or they probably wouldn't get paid.  My buyer did so, but was in disbelief.  He left the property and went straight down to the appliance store and sure enough, there was the sign on the door that they were no longer in business.  He lucked out because when he ordered the appliances he chose their no payments for 12 mos., so he had not placed any money down.  Many others were not so lucky.  They lost their money or down payment, with nothing to show for it.  My buyer said, "First we purchase a foreclosed property and then the appliance company declares bankrupcty.  Is that a sign of the times, or what?"  Very well said.